Monday's debate was made remarkable by a masterly speech from
Mr. Chamberlain, who is becoming one of the greatest political orators of our time. The speech in the House was one of singular concentration, and most impressive to the House ; while the speech of Wednesday at Birmingham was, perhaps, the most remarkable platform speech delivered by any English orator during the last ten years. In the House of Commons, he took up Mr. Gladstone's assumption that Home-rule is inevitable, and that this Home-rule Bill is safe. Mr. Chamberlain denied both statements. He showed that the Union had never been adequately tried, first, because for twenty-nine years Catholic emancipation was withheld, next, because the Irish famine, due to economical causes, interrupted every effort at Irish reform, and last, because Mr. Gladstone, after he had embarked on the right path, suddenly turned aside from that course after but sixteen years' endeavour,—a quite inadequate trial in national affairs,—and embarked on this wild Home-rule campaign.
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