The Guardians of the North Dublin Union on Wednesday moved
and carried unanimously a resolution praying that Parlia- ment would grant a Royal residence and a National Parliament to Ireland, declaring absenteeism a gigantic evil, and Acts of Parliament no substitute for material benefits. This resolution, moved by Mr. Erson, seconded by Captain Brinkley, J.P., and strongly approved by Sir G. Preston, was adopted with only one dissentient, and is to be sent to all other boards. It will probably be accepted by many of them, as we are told that the desire for Repeal,—that is, for a separate Parliament,—is spreading rapidly among the respectable classes, who have never before joined the cry. Their idea seems to be that a local Parliament would bring wealth, and give more colour and variety to life in Ireland, and their proposal is a Parliament as it was before 1800 and after 1782, that is, a Parliament practically sovereign. There is something, to our minds, inexpressibly mean in this perpetual increase of demand after every concession ; justice must be done to Ireland, but justice within the Empire; and we warn Irish agitators that independence will be easier to obtain than repeal, and that they will obtain neither till England has ceased to be a nation.
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