THE LAST HOURS OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 125, 17 September 1875, Page 8

THE LAST HOURS OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT.

(PBOM SIR JONAH BARRINGTON's " RISE] AND PALL Or THE IRISH NATION.") The day of extinguishing the liberties of Ireland had now arrived, and the sun took his last view of independent Ireland; he rose. no more over a proud and prosperous nation ; she was now condemned, by the British Minister, to renounce her rank amotigst the States of Europe ; she was sentenced to cancel her constitution, to disband her Commons, and disfranchise her nobility, to proclaim her incapacity, and register her corruption in the records of the Empire. On this fatal event, some, whose honesty the tempter could, not destroy, some, whose honor he durst not assail, and many who could not control the useless language of indignation, prudently withdrew from a scene, where they would have witnessed only the downfall of their country. Every precaution was taken by* Lord Clare for the security, at least, of his own person. The Houses of . Parliament -were closely invested bj the military ; no demonstration of popular feeling was permitted ; a British regiment, near the entrance, patrolled through the lonic colonades, the chaste architecture of that classic structure seemed as a monument to the falling Irish, to remind thorn of what they had been, and tell them what they were. It was a heart-rending sight to those who loved - their country, it was a sting to those who sold it, and to those who purchased it a victory, but to none has it been a triumph. Thirtythree years of miserable experience should now convince the British people that they have gained neither strength, nor affection, nor tranquillity, "by their acquisition; and that if population be the wealth of nations, Ireland is getting by far too rich to be governed much longer as a pauper. I The British people knew not the true history of the Union, that the brilliant promises, the predictions of rapid prosperity> and consolidating resources, were but chimerical. Whilst the finest principles of the Constitution were sapped to effect the measure, England, by the subjugation of her sister kingdom, gained only an accumulation of debt, an accession of venality to her Parliament, an embarrassment in her councils, and a prospective danger to the integrity of the Empire. The name of Union has been acquired, but the attainment of the substance has been removed jEarther than j ever. j The Commons House of Parliament on. the last evening afforded the most melancholy example of a fine independent people, betrayed, divided, sold, and, as a State, annihilated. British clerks and officers were smuggled into her Parliament to vote away the Constitution of a country to which they were strangers, and in which they had neither interest uor connexion. They were employed to cancel the royal charter of the Irish nation, "guaranteed by the British Government, sanctioned by the British legislature, and unequivocally confirmed by the words, the signatures, and the great seal of their Monarch. The situation of the Speaker, on that night, was of the most distressing nature ; a sincere and ardent enemy of the measure, he headed its opponents ; he resisted it -with all the power of his mind, the resources of his experience, his influence, and his eloquence. It was, however, through his voice that it was to be proclaimed and consummated. His only alternative (resignation) would have been unavailing, and could have added nothing to his character. His expressive countenance bespoke the inquietude of his feelings ; solicitude was perceptible in every glance, and his embarrassment was obvious in every word he uttered. The galleries were full, but the change was lamentable, they were no longer crowded with those who had been accustomed to witness the eloquence and to animate the debates of that devoted assembly. A monotonous and melancholy murmur ran through the benches, scarcely a word was exchanged amongst the members, nobody seemed at ease, no cheerfulness was apparent, and the ordinary lDusiness, for a short time, proceeded in the usual manner. At length the expected moment arrived ; the order of the day for the third reading c f the Bill for a " Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland," was moved by Lord Castlereagh ; unvaried, tame, cold-blooded, the worda seemed frozen as they issued from, his lips ; and, as if a simple citizen of the world, he seemed to have no sensation on the subject. At that moment he had no country, no god but hit ambition; he made Ms motion, and resumed his seat, with the utmost composure and indifference. Confused murmurs again ran through the House; it was visibly affected ; every character, in a moment, seemed involuntarily rushing to its index ; some pale, some flushed, some agitated ; there were few countenances to which the heart did not despatch some messenger. Several members withdrew, before the question could be repeated, and an awful momentary ' silence succeeded their departure. The Speaker rose slowly from that chair which been the proud source of his honors and of his high character; for a moment lie resumed his seat, but the strength of his mind sustained him in Ms duty, though his struggle was apparent. With that dignity which never failed to signalise his official actions, he held up the Bill for a moment in silence, he looked steadily around him on the last agony of the expiring Parliament. He at length repeated; in an empathic tone, "as many as are of opinion that this bilij do pass, say aye." The affirmative was languid but indisputable ; another momentary pause ensued, again his lips seemed to decline their office : at length, with an eye averted from the object which he hated, he proclaimed with a subdued voice, " the ayes have it." The fatal sentence was pronounced, for an instant lie stood statue-like ; then indignantly, and with disgust, flung the Bill upon the table, and sunk into his chair with, an exhausted spirit. An independent country was thus degraded into I a province j Ireland, as a nation, was extinguished.