Mr. Childers, however, pointed out that though the statutory Legislature
in Dublin would have nothing like the large powers of Grattan's Parliament, there would be under the Bill of the Government a very great concession to Ireland which did not exist at all in the time of that Parliament,—namely, the con- cession to any Administration which has the confidence of the new Legislature of complete executive control over the internal affairs of the country. Mr. Childers is quite right. That very great concession, no doubt, turns the balance between the system of 1782-1800 and Mr. Gladstone's proposed Legislature, and turns it in Parnellite eyes very greatly in favour of the present proposal. But for all the purposes of those who desire a genuine internal unity, it turns the scale in the wrong direction. It abolishes absolutely the power of the British Government to shield any Irishman from oppression, or to inter- fere with any anarchical combination, however dangerous, which might threaten either England or Europe. After a lively personal attack by Major Saunderson on the Home-rulers, the debate was adjourned.
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