Mr. Redmond and his friends quite rightly and fairly quoted
the Parnell Commission as having acquitted Mr. Parnell of the most serious charges made against him. They seem, how- ever, to have forgotten that the same Commission placed on- record the facts in regard to the tyranny of the Land League. In their Report the Commissioners describe how boycotting "constituted a system of intimidation of a most severe and cruel character," and how it was directed against even the children of boycotted persons. The passage of the Report to which we are referring ends with a sentence which entirely justifies Mr. Butcher :—" The funerals of obnoxious persons Were put under a similar ban, and even coffins or the wood to Make them were withheld from the dead." It may be remem- bered that one of the things which are said to have moved Ar. Bright most in regard to the League tyranny was the boycott of a baby's funeral. The Attorney-General at the doge Of the debate declared that the fears -of the Opposition were groundless, and that agrarian combinations did not come Within the scope of the measure. We sincerely trust that he may he right; but we confess that, considering the dangers ilabolVed, We should like to see some safeguarding words added to the Bill.
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