PARNELL'S SPEECH AT WATERFORD.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3763, 19 January 1881, Page 3

PARNELL'S SPEECH AT WATERFORD.

" I do not believe that any amount of money or the strength and power of even the greatest in the world, can work impossibilities, and it is abundantly proved that governing outside, of Ireland by a', power and people who do not live in the country, is impossible. We have gigantic forces allied against us, but we have more powerful forces on. our side, namely, the force of nature or nationalty, or patriotism and true devotion. These are sufficient to break the yoke of English misgovernment and chase from the country that usurpation which has long had its heel upon our neck. Look at what we bare done to this pitiful Government in twelve months. We have obliged them to reverse every principle, every law, every tradition on which they have built their position: We have made them eat their speeches—even Gladstone. I don't believe Gladstone can settle the.Trish Suestion without breaking up his Cabinet. \e could not even pass his miserable Compensation Bill last rear. If I had not been confident that the Lords'would reject it, I would have had the Irish.party reject it, but I preferred to let the Lords do my dirty wjrk. When John Bull finds that he will have to pay £50,000,000 for the next- four or five years to govern this country, he will think the English mode of governing Ireland, very expensive. I may be told that concession would be better, but Trien concession perpetuates an evil it is better to reject it. Ido not believe we can - settle the national question till we settle the Land Question. I tell the British Government that all their acts and statutes are su much waste paper ; that it is impossible in these days to continue governing this country against the will of the majority of the people. No nation in history was eVJer able to do this; and of all nations that ia»'ever,tried it, England has .has made tlie /worst mess of it. We standto day in the same position as our ancestors stood. W«? declare.that it is the duty of every Irishman to free bis country if he can. We refuse to inflict needless suffering on the masses. Wo will work by constitutional means .so long as it suits us to -do so. We refuse to plunge this country into the horrors of civil war, when she has not a chance ; but I ask any man at this board, I ask any true Irishman—be he priest or layman— whether he would, not consider it the first duty of an Irishman to do what he could to enable bis country to take its place among 'the nations of the world? (Deafening cheers.) If it could be proved to you that there is a fair prospect that success would ..follow from the sacrifice, I ask you whether it would not be your highest duty to give your lives for your country that gave you birth ? I call for no useless sacrifice. Ido not wish to be misunderstood. Our present path is within the limits of . Constitution. England has given "v*. that Constitution for bet purposes:-' We villoise it for ours. If I ever call upon the people to go beyond the Constitution/we shall do so openly and above board- We shall not ask the people to take a risk we are not willing to share, but for the present we will, remain with the Constitution, relying on Parliamentary action in England, and upon organised national action at home. I believe we have in these the power to achieve our ends. We call upon you, if you believe in their use and believe in ourjibnesty, to help us with the ability and genius God has given you, confident Hsthe future of our common country. [Great cheers.]