THE IRISH QUESTION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 49, 4 October 1887, Page 2

THE IRISH QUESTION.

THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE

London, October 2. Archbishop Walsh, who recently suggested a conference between the landlords and tenants On the rent question has been invited by the convention of landlords to nominate delegates on behalf Of the tenaritSi Archbishop Walsh lit reply, says although the convention approved ot his proposal, he is not sanguine that there will be any successful I result, and he fears further delay will Writ secure the advantages and benefits for which they are agitating.

In a recent speech Mr Gladstone said ‘—The position of Ireland is a position Which Hbr enemies ought never to have given her, and which convicts them of the most extreme folly to give her, unless they are prepared firmly to accept the consequences. What has Ireland now got ? She has three elements of strength, one of which she has ever possessed. In the first place, there is a constituency so eitended that it spefilcs Undeniably with authority the views of the nation. In the second place, that constituency, in the choice of its representatives, has sent to Parliament a body of men of whose personal competency I will not say anything—that is not the important point--but who, if Ovei 1 a representative body was entitled to represent the judgment and conviction of a Country, are now entitled to make that allegation for Ireland. Such are her elements of strength within herself. But what has happened in England ? When, until 1880 and 1887, could Ireland say, as she can now say, relying even to some small extent Upon this manifestation Of to-day—When could she say, as she can now say, that from end to end of this island, from north to south and from east to west, a vast population of the English people, even if approvers of her jtroposals, but are enthusiastically enlisted in her cause, so much so that Irishmen themselves are not more convinced, are not more determined than the bulk of those wtio throughout the country are now acting in the ranks and for the purposds of the Liberal party. These three things—the Irish constituency, the Irish representation, and the English support—these are the three strands of a rope so strong that there is no power in the face of us that can for a moment avail, or hope to break that rope in nieces. It is a bond which, I believe, will float the ship of State through all the present controversies into tne harbour of security, of honour, and of repose. (Loud cheers.)