Mr. Parnell on the same night made a speech of
very remark- able moderation, though denouncing the chief provisions of the Bill in very strong terms. He believed, he said, in the good intentions of the Government, and in their resolve to use the very strong provisions of this Bill only against crime, and not against the liberties of the Irish people. He would not unfairly obstruct the Bill, or delay divisions on it. But whatever the good intentions of the Government, it was in the nature of things that harsh provisions should be abused, as the harsh provisions of the Bill of the previous year had been abused by the late Chief Secretary. Mr. Parnell concluded by saying:— "I had hoped that with the passage of the Arrears Bill, and with the prospect of further alterations in the Land Act, the Land League movement might have very shortly emerged from a state of vehement agitation to a more placid and a more reasonable condition. For my part, I should not have objected to such a change. We have been contending against the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Gladstone) for the last two years. We have found him to be a great and a strong man. I think it is no dishonour to us to admit that he has fought us in a way we should not wish to be fought again by anybody in the future. I regret that, owing to the supposed exigencies of his party, or his position in this country, he has felt himself bound to turn away from conciliation, and follow these horrible paths of coercion, which have always failed, and which, I fear, on the present occasion will lead to much greater and further disasters."
