Lord Camperdown, on Tuesday, raised a debate in the Lords
the object of which was to show that the National League was in some way responsible for recent agrarian murders. No new facts were given, but the debate was remarkable for an admission by Lord Spencer. He adhered to his view that the League was not a criminal organisation— upon which point inquirers should read Mr. T. W. Rolleston's pamphlet on boycotting—but thought its existence matter for regret, and that it might include criminal persons The debate, however, was greatly restricted by the ex- pressed opinion of the Law Lords, including the Lord Chief Justice, that it would prejudice the great libel suit then going on ; and on Thursday the Duke of Argyll gave notice of another. He intends to move,—" That, in the opinion of this House, her Majesty's Government deserves the support of Parliament in securing to the subjects of the Queen in Ireland the full enjoyment of personal free- dom in all their lawful transactions and in protecting them from the coercion of unlawful combinations." This will enable the Government to bring forward the evidence in their.
hands as to the relations between boycotting and murder, relations which Mr. Rolleston, a strong Nationa]ist, says are so close as to amount to identity. The Peers have nothing to do, and might usefully occupy themselves in keeping the public thoroughly informed as to the weekly progress of affairs in Ireland.
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