One hundred years ago
A POST-CARD was issued last Satur- day in Edinburgh to every one of the 42,971 male and female voters on the five different registers for the City of Edinburgh, with the question — "Do you wish Mr. Parnell to receive the honour of the freedom of the City of Edinburgh?" with the answer "Yes," or "No." In return, there came 17,808 "Noes," and 3,197 "Ayes," in all 21,005, giving a majority for the "Noes" of 14,611. From this it appears quite clear that if the freedom of the city should be conferred on Mr. Parnell at the present time, it will be without the complicity of the City of Edinburgh, — which is no more desirous to give a slap in the face to Sir James Hannen's Commission, than to give a slap in the face to the Lord Chief Justice of Eng- land. Whether the freedom of the city be given to Mr. Parnell or not, this settles the question as to the wish of the Edinburgh citizens. If it be given, it will be given against the will and mind of the citizens; it will be the gift of a sectional cabal, not of the people of the capital.
The Spectator, 4 May 1889
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