The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-03-31

also. IN TACT, II was not going TOO
far to say that every one admitted the
need for q change in Irish government.
The facts mentioned by Mr.. Russell
and Mr.. Dodd had Shown to demon-
strate that there was marked change
in the minds of the people Of Ulster.
With all these facts before them it
was impossible for them not to address
themselves to the problem of what
should be done.
He did not see how it was possible
not to make the attempt; yet the
amendment said that the attempt
should not be made. Reference was
made to Il statement by Mr.. Chamber
lain, but the gentleman had said thirty
years ago that he had always been q
Home Ruler. If members cared to re-
fer to the third volume Of the Life Of
Gladstone" by Mr.. Morley, they would
find at page 367 an extremely interest,"
ing account of the views which Cham
berlain then entertained after the
Home Rule bill of 1856; and in an in
terview in, nc thought, 1893, with tho
author of tho interesting Life Of Mr..
Parnell," Mr.. Chamberlain declared
that there was to be National Coun-
Gil in Dublin, possibly with another
in Belfast. But If possible there was
only to be one council. Chamberlain
said two nights ago that he did not
say exactly the same now; but he (the
Chief Secretary should have thought
that what was safe then was much
safer now.
There had been q great change in
the condition OF the country. In the
years between 1880 and 1886 the num-
her OF reported outrages in several
years reached 400. The number now
per annum was only about 200. Now.
could anyone think otherwise than that
what was safe then was not q great
deal safer now? Besides, local gov
working well-the Land Act had been
nassed-there was very little intilni-
dalton. so that he thought the gov
eminent had every possible reason to
make an effort in tho direction of tho
system of government in Ireland, and
for the association OF the people with
1t. Many reasons had been advanced
for q move In that direction. Those
who remembered the Introduction by
Mr.. Gladstone Of the Home Rule bill on
that memorable day in April, 1886,
would recollect his dwelling upon the
desire to secure social order. He said
that until they associated tho people
with the government of their country
and gave them confidence in that gov
eminent they would not place upon q
firm and permanent basis social order
in Ireland. He (Mr. Bryce) was hap
by to think that although the bill fail
cd. its results were apparent, and
these results were due to the fact that
the people knew they had more SYM
pathy and friendship with Great Brit
ain.
Another reason for change was
that devolving OF many functions of
tho Imperial Parliament to bodies in
Ireland would relieve Parliament Of
functions which We're beginning to
overburden 1t. That was still an inn
portant argument. and would stick.
There was third reason, which had
not been SO familiar to him, that forced
itself upon his attention since he had
been in Ireland. 1t was that there were
many reforms in Irish administration
urgently needed, but which could not
be properly effected until the feeling of
: the people Of Ireland was interested.
He was not sure. indeed. that it was
not equally important.
Take the question of Irish education,
Ireland in that respect was (. century
behind. They must associate tho peo.
pie Of the country with the work of
governing themselves IL they were to
make reforms palatable and acceptable
to them, and they must also give them
a sense Of responsibility for the laws
by which they were governed. They
must give them an opportunity of deal
ing with practical questions in prac-
teal spirit They must enable them to
come together from different parts OF
the country as citizens of the same
country. not necessarily divided by
party lines or conducting their battles
in a party spirit, but endeavoring to
work together for the good Of their
common country. -.
am proud that the first vote of this
session will be 4on the Irish question,
and that England and the world will
hear what this new House Of Com
mons thinks Of the claims of Ireland
for self-government.
The House then divided:
For the amendment IS
Against Observation-Disclosures. 400
Majority against .......... 31S
The figures were received with loud
Il and prolonged Ministerial cheering.
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