The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-13
! DEPARTMENT

were holding high carnival abroad on the money coined from Irish blood. The advocates of the union were William Pitt, Lord Cornwallis, the Duke of Wellington. and Castel- ray. But there were others who at- ruption of the British parIitment. They fo6eht the battle to the bitter end.
 When Pitt introduced the act of union into the British commons in the face of overwhelming votes he dared not insinuate the parliament of Ireland was unable to legislate for the welfare of the nation, for, the prosperity which for 10 years had startled the world so plainly the re- suit of Irish legislation that the plea of incapacity could not be urged. To destroy home rule therefore Pitt and his abettors argued in quite another fashion. They contended that under the rule of Great Britain religious strife would be allayed, capital would tion, peace and prosperity were to abound. You have prospered, said he under the native parliament. Ac- cept the foreign parliament and your prosperity will be amazing. Recog- nize London as your chief city, said you need no longer fear the French, you may repell the Corsican invader, and defy the world.
 Then the speaker flayed the char acters of the men who projected this act of Union. ''If our own dearly beloved Washington could arise this night" said he, T would call upon town friend. Castelray," he exclaim- ed, "a titled recreant who purchased British corOnet, remains to this day accursed by the Irish people,
 To Henry Grattan he paid high tribute. Recalling Castelray's plan of campaign when the act of Union was about to be considered in the legis- lative halls, he spoke of the letter which indicated that Grattan was not to be brought in to the debate until 12 o'clock at night; on Jan. IS, 1890. He drew compelling picture of the entrance of Grattan into the hall. ''He was tottering on the brink of the grave,' said Father Illusion. ''Yet it was to him that the peasantry were appealing to save the land that Dublin were mournfully announcing to the world that nation was about to die when the hall was hushed and the venerable statesman entered" He quoted from historian who describ- ed the entrance of the aged and in- ance of spectre as he feebly totter- ed into the house to his seat. His slow approach to the table was de- scribed, when he attempted to arise he could not keep his feet. But soon such enthusiasm took control of the aged speaker that it seemed as if the whole force of disease was neutralized and the buoyancy of youth restored. For more than two hours he poured forth stream of epigrams and argu- ments and appeal. But Grattans ap- peal could prove of no avail. Brig andS, legitimatiZed as British StateS- men, sycophants as barristers and bailiffs were in the Irish senate house to do their shameful work. And on the sixth day of February, 1900, they did 1t with a vengeance. Ireland s parliament was no longer in exist ence. Ireland, the country of deep religion, and of song, the country of soldiers and saintly men, whose writ CTS have rivalled the eloquence of the ancient singers of Greece and Rome Ireland's imperishable name was then overcast by cloud of sorrow. Then set the star of Irelands liberty. The