On Tuesday, Mr. Chamberlain addressed a large gathering of Unionists
at the Circus, Newcastle. The speech, which was one of the most brilliant pieces of oratorical fighting we ever remember to have read, taxed the Gladstonians with the " policy of stealthy suppression" which they pursue in regard to their Irish schemes. In Mr. Gladstone's recent speech, only 42 lines out of 650 were devoted to Home-rule, and even these contained no sound and solid arguments. According to the leader of the Opposition, we are to grant Home-rule, first, in order to make amends for our seven hundred years of mis- government ; secondly, because it will give us once more the use and control of our own Parliament; and thirdly, because it will bring about a Union of Hearts. But because our ancestors injured Ireland, are we now to injure our- selves? Then, too, how shall we regain the use and con- trol of our Parliament if, as Mr. Gladstone assures us, the Irish Members must remain at Westminster ? As for the " Union of Hearts," what reason is there to suppose that Mr. Gladstone's prophecies of finality and pacification will prove any truer now than they did at the time of the Disestablish- ment of the Irish Church and the passing of the original Land Bill? Mr. Chamberlain's speech concluded with a peroration of great stateliness and force, in which he impressed upon the voters that if the fabric of the State is wrecked, they will not be able to cast the responsibility on any minister or monarch. That must now fall on them alone.
