IRISH AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 307, 4 June 1889, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS.

London, June 1. While under examination, Mr E. Harrington, M.P. for Kerry West, stated there had been nearly 17,000 persons evicted from their homes in Kerry between 1879 and 1887. The President of the Commission was informed by MrR. T. Reid, Q C., one of the counsel for the Parnellite party, that thirty books, chiefly connected with the English branch of the League, would ba produced.

THE CLOSE OF SIB CHARLES BUSSELL’S SPEECH.

Sir Charles Bussell brought his unprecedentedly long speech to a close on April 12. His dosing remarks were alike eloquent and pathetic. He said:— My lords, I have come to an end. I cannot sit down without expressing the obligation I owe to your lordships, not only for an attentive but an indulgent hearing. I have spoken not merely as an advocate ; I have spoken of the land of my birth. But I feel—profoundly feel—that I have been Speaking in the best Interests of England —of the country where my years of laborious life have been passed—and where I have received a kindness and consideration and a regard which I shall be glad to make au attempt to! repay, My lords, my colleagues and myself have had a responsible duty, We have had to defend not merely the loaders of a nation, but the nation itself—to defend the leaders of a nation whom it was sought to crush; to defend a nation whose hopes it was sought to dash to the ground. This inquiry intended as a curse has proved a blessingdesigned, prominently designed, to ruin one man, it has bean bis vindication. In opening thia case I said we represented the accused. I now claim leave to say that the positions are reversed. 'We are the accusers. The accused (with a gesture of indignant scorn, pointing to the Times bench, where sat Mr Walter and Mr MacDonald) sit there I But I hope this inquiry, in its present state and future development will serve even more than the vindication of individuals—that it will remove painful misconceptions as to the characters, actions, motives, and aims of the Irish people—that it will set earnest minds—and, thank God 1 there are many earnest and honest minds in this oountry—thinking for themselves upon thia question—that it will remove grievous misconceptions, and hasten the day of true union and real reconciliation between the people of Ireland and the people of Great Britain ; and that with the advent of true union and reconciliation there will be dispelled, and dispelled for ever, the aloud—the weighty cloud—that has rested on the history of the noble man and dimmed the glory of a mighty Empire. (Loud applause, whioh, however, was immediately suppressed.) Round the great advocate gathered all the horsehair wigs, eager with congratulations, Sir Charles was silent. Then came a little pencil-note from the Bench. It was from the President, who had flushedlwith emotion as Sir Charles Russell sat down. It was brief but to the point:— “ A great speech, worthy of a great occasion 1”

“Of course; and so we all think,” said he kindly and turned away. Then the court slowly dissolved, the sitting being adjourned till April 30.