Yesterday week Mr. Butt used the debate on the report
of the Address as a mode of testing the strength of the Home-rule party in the House, affirming that Ireland does not enjoithe full benefits of the Constitution, and pledging the House to consider any means proposed for the purpose of removing Irish dissatis- faction. He said—what, at least, the division failed to show— that for the first time a clear majority of Irish Members had
been sent up pledged to Home-rule, and determined to know nothing in relation to any other political combination, but he disclaimed for the party all wish for separation from Great Britain. He then entered into the usual story of the local grievances of Ireland—franchise laws, constabulary, coercion laws, &c.—without any great effect ; Mr. Gladstone delivering a very lively reply to him, in which he commented on the apparent apathy of Irish Members in relation to these grievances, and reproached them with not using their proper privileges as repre- sentatives to gain. that justice in detail which they profess so deeply to desire. He treated the proposal of Mr. Butt as a "dangerous, and tricky" one which committed the House to
nothing, and-put no great issue before it. '
