Her Majesty then proceeds to the burning question of the
hour in these words :—" I have seen with deep sorrow the renewal of the attempt to excite the people of Ireland to hos- tility against the Legislative Union between that country and Great Britain. I am resolutely opposed to any disturbance of that fundamental law, and in resisting it I am convinced that I shall be heartily supported by my Parliament and my people." The Queen perceives "in many places in Ireland an organised resistance to the enforcement of legal obligations," and " regrets that the practice of organised intimidation continues to exist," and promises that no effort shall be spared "to protect Irish subjects in the exercise of their individual rights and the enjoyment of individual liberty." If, "as my information leads me to apprehend, the existing provisions of the law should prove to be inadequate to cope with these grow- ing evils, I look with confidence to your willingness to invest my Government with all necessary powers!' The Queen then promises county reform, first for Great Britain and then
for Ireland, and a variety of minor Bills, including one for the cheap transfer of land ; and ends with an allusion to the necessity of a reform of Procedure. The Speech throughout is clear and decided, though the reference to a new Crimes Act is put rather needlessly in the hypothetical form. The resistance promised to Home-rule is specially resolute and firm.
