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most part proved it. They were accustomed to hear statements from the Continent and from America magnifying the grievances and the wrongs of Ireland, and the usual strain of a popular orator in addressing Irishmen was—

"Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not

Who would be free themselves must strike the blow."

he firmly believed, members of the conspiracy, slept out in the hedges, lest they should be taken out by their Fenian commanders; and one unfortunate youth, who naturally preferred his breakfast to a campaign in the field, was actually shot through the leg by one of those commanders, he supposed pour encourager les autres. That was the way the Irish people had behaved. But how about the Irish police

which had been uttered, the absurdity of the objects aimed at, the dishonesty which had accompanied the handling of money, the peculation which had almost universally existed-as was proved not only by the statements of persons in America, but also by the miserable arms provided for the dupes of the late attempt-and, above all, how hundreds ran away like sheep before a few policemen, must be ashamed Well, but how had the "hereditary bondsalmost of the very name of Irishman, were men "struck the blow this time? Why, it not for two circumstances connected with with the exception of a few of the worst the affair. In the first place, there was characters-and setting aside a few miseran extraordinary absence of personal out-able shopboys-the whole rural population rage-a thing unparalleled in any popular remained quiet in their houses. Even the rising and he trusted that circumstance boys employed in farm service, who were, would be taken into account by-and-by, except where murder or an attempt at murder had taken place; and he feared there would be quite enough of instances of parties being accomplices in these crimes to make the punishment that would be inflicted sufficiently exemplary. The other most remarkable circumstance was the conduct of the police. The Irish police might be taken as a type of the Irish people. They were not sprung from the six-feet high men-the sons of the the middle class; but were chiefly the sons Irish small farmers-of whom he rememof the small farmers-by far the most nu- bered the late Duke of Norfolk, who had merous class in Ireland - and had been seen all the best troops of Europe, saying brought up with all the feelings and prepos- that they were the finest troops he had seen sessions of that class. During the late in- in Europe? Well, as for these men, stasurrection, however, they had behaved tioned at outposts, scattered here and there, with a gallant loyalty which had co- few in number, often apart from their vered them with honour, and which, in officers, how did they behave? Why, the his opinion, could not be surpassed. Now, blow they struck, which was for the United looking at these people as a fair type of Kingdom as well as for Ireland itself, they their fellow-countrymen, what was the in- struck in such a way as to cover themference? It was this, that though there selves with glory, and to do honour to the might be disloyalty in Ireland, it could country which they protected. In one not be very deep when a few years of case, the wives of the policemen supplied discipline and generous treatment had them with ammunition, and cheered at effectually eradicated it; and, at the same every volley they fired at the hundreds time, that the grievances could not be who attacked them. There was a great very sore which could be so easily borne. lesson to be elicited from this affair, and He was one of those who maintained that it was this. He quite agreed with the Ireland had no real grievances; but she noble Earl opposite (the Earl of Kimberley) has many sores sores kept open for in the remarks which he had made on this the basest and most selfish objects. He subject. He believed that the entire popuwas one of those who approved the lation sympathized with the Fenians, and policy of Mr. Pitt, and would put the that the small farmers, who had always churches in Ireland on an equality. He been taught for political purposes that they would also allow to the tenant farmer in had a right to the fee simple of their land, in Ireland security in the enjoyment of all would not object to take possession of it that he had invested in improvements un- if offered to them by a successful Fenian dertaken with the landlord's consent. But commander, if that commander should although Ireland had sores which were continually kept open by persons whose interest it was to do so, she had no deep grievances, and the late events for the

be so unwise as to give it to them instead of his own followers. But when the time for action came, and they saw what little chance of success there was, they then de

clined to strike a blow on account of the grievance of a Church which they did not maintain, and a Government which extended equal protection to them and to other classes of the community. Was it the case that Ireland was in a state of misery and oppression unparalleled in the world, except in the case of Poland, as was continually represented by American and foreign papers? Not at all. He had lately seen in a paper published abroad that every Fenian was shot as soon as taken, and the other stories of Irish grievances were about as well founded.

Moved, That there be laid before this House,

Return of the Names of the Police Stations in Ireland attacked during the late attempt at Insurrection, and successfully defended: Also,

The Numbers of Police Constables engaged in each such Defence; the Name of the Inspector, Sub-Inspector, Head Constable, or other com

manding in each such Defence; and the supposed Number of Insurgents attacking in each case: Also,

The Names of the Police Stations to which the different Parties of Police belonged who met and successfully engaged the Insurgents in Places other than Police Stations; the Numbers of Police Constables so engaged in each such Place; the Name of the Inspector, Sub-Inspector, Head Constable, or other commanding in each such Case; and the supposed Number of Insurgents so met in each Place: And also,

The Names of any Officers or Police Constables killed or wounded during the late Attempt at Insurrection.-(The Viscount Lifford.)

THE EARL OF DERBY: My Lords, I think that the noble Lord has only done an act of justice in calling your Lordships' attention to the subject of these Returns. I shall be happy to consent to their production, for I entirely concur with the noble Lord that it is very desirable that there should be a permanent record of the services-the most valuable services-rendered during the insurrection by that admirable body of men, the Irish police, and more especially those who so signally distinguished themselves in suppressing the late rising. My noble Friend has referred to the circumstance-and I quite concur with him—that this body of police are sprung from a class among whom, if among any, we might have expected to find seeds of disaffection; and yet in no case have there been the slightest manifestations of discontent on the part of any portion of the constabulary; but, on the contrary, their efforts for the maintenance of the public peace and the suppression of the insurrection have hardly fallen short of being actually heroic. Sprung, as I

may say they were, from the people, and being habitually placed in circumstances under which, I venture to say, no regiment in Her Majesty's service could have been placed, even for a very short time, without becoming absolutely and entirely demoralized-scattered about in all parts of the country, without support, without the control of any superior officer, exposed to every possible temptation to disloyalty offered by persons, many of whose feelings and prejudices they must largely shareI must say it is in the highest degree creditable to the constabulary that they should not have shown the slightest manifestation of swerving from their duty; but that they should, on the contrary, have performed it in a way which surpasses all my powers of language to express. I have thought it due to them to say these few words in reference to their conduct; and I think it quite right that the individuals who have discharged their duty so meritoriously and with such fidelity and honour, should be placed before the coun. try: I am sure, also, that your Lordships will concur in the propriety of the course the Government propose to adopt, in asking the House of Commons to vote a sum of money to be distributed among those who have chiefly distinguished themselves, and also to distribute among them badges of honour which will be permanent memorials of their courage and devotion.

THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGH: I must observe that all the facts brought to our knowledge in connection with the insurrection are totally inconsistent with the supposition, suggested by the noble Lord (Viscount Lifford), that the insurgents had the general sympathy of the people.

THE EARL OF CORK said, he desired to bear his testimony to the great courage shown by the Irish constabulary whenever they had been brought into contact with the misguided men who had vainly endeavoured to destroy the British Government. Where all had behaved so well it was difficult to make any particular distinction; but he could not help referring to the gallant stand made at a place not far from his property by fourteen policemen, who had bravely resisted some 300 insurgents for more than three hours. He had heard with great pleasure that it was the intention of the Government to reward those who had behaved so well; and he ventured to call attention to a recommendation made by a Royal Commission

that, as an encouragement to the force, a | already - that these men are scattered certain degree of promotion should take throughout the country in singularly small place within it; so that the more deserv- detachments; that the nature of their ing men might have the prospect of rising duties requires them to be in the closest to the more lucrative position of sub- contact with all classes of the population; inspectors. The Government could not and that they are consequently exposed to have a better opportunity than the pre- much greater temptation than can be sent of carrying out this recommendation. brought to bear upon a military force. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE: My It is therefore not entirely just to asLords, I am glad of this occasion to bear cribe their freedom from disaffection to my testimony to the admirable conduct of force of discipline; because, although the the Irish constabulary. I have had the force of discipline has great effect upon opportunity of seeing the reports from the them, yet, from their scattered position, various detachments of troops employed in it is impossible that discipline can be so the disturbed districts, and on every occasion stringent and so effectual for this purpose they report that the conduct of the police as in the case of a military force. This was marked with the greatest possible loy- fact enhances the merit of the constabualty and bravery, and that not in one single lary, and enhances also what is exceedinstance had they failed to do their duty. ingly important-the confidence we may The position in which those men were place in the force for the future. I may placed was a most trying one. They were also remark that the force represents fairly scattered in very small bodies all over the the population of the country, being drawn country, many of them were of the same from Roman Catholics and Protestants in class as the misguided people who have much the same proportion which these violated the law; these people had every bear to the general population. There is facility for tempting the constabulary to no special selection of the constabulary swerve from their loyalty, and yet in not from any class of the population who may one single instance was that loyalty shaken. be supposed to be more loyal than the I rejoice to hear that the Government in- other; they are fair samples of the poputend publicly to mark their sense of the lation of Ireland-except, of course, that conduct of the constabulary; and I am great care is taken only to engage men of satisfied that the remarks made in this good character. I am exceedingly glad House, and the rewards they will now re- that I was, to some extent, the cause of ceive, will have the best possible effect the consideration by Her Majesty's late and will induce them to continue the Government of a plan for raising the pay loyalty and bravery which they have re- of the force. That rate of pay was fixed cently displayed, and which, during my many years ago and was very insufficient; own residence in Ireland, always distin- and the loss of men was so large, and the guished them. difficulty of recruiting so great, that we THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: My had considerable apprehension as to the Lords, I should be sorry to let this oppor-efficiency of the force. The plan was pretunity pass without bearing my testimony to the admirable manner in which the Irish constabulary behaved during the late outbreak. Having had full opportunity of observing the conduct of the constabulary during the time when I was Lord Lieutenant, I can say most positively that there was scarcely an instance in which the smallest sympathy with disaffection was observed among them. The same testimony, I believe, will be borne by the present Government of the entire absence of disaffection among the force. The behaviour of the constabulary upon recent occasions is such that, as the noble Earl opposite has said, it is entirely beyond any words of mine to express the honour due to them. It must be remembered and I must repeat what has been said

pared and assented to by the late Treasury, and was carried into effect by the present Government. I think the First Lord of the Treasury will confirm my statement that that plan has been found effectual to a very considerable extent; that the same difficulty has not been experienced in recruiting during the last few months; and that a very good class of men has been joining the constabulary. I should be the last person to advocate extravagance in any branch of Her Majesty's service; but I emphatically say that I do not believe there is any force at the disposal of Her Majesty, as this may be said to be, which deserves more liberal treatment than the constabulary of Ireland. I hope that every reasonable request of theirs will be fairly and generously considered,

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

and that no opportunity will be lost of strengthening their loyalty and showing that their courage and trustworthiness are thoroughly appreciated by this country. This is a matter of great importance to all classes in the country; and I rejoice that the Government intend to bestow some special marks of honour on all the members of the force who have distinguished themselves.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE: Perhaps I may be allowed to add a word on a subject of importance-the conduct of the troops during the outbreak. I am most desirous to state that their conduct, under most trying circumstances, has been most exemplary. The elements were much against them; they suffered much exposure to the worst weather; yet they marched long distances-I may say, not only without the slightest murmur, but with the greatest anxiety to perform their duty. I am persuaded that, whatever may be said to the contrary, if it came to the test, you would find among the troops no feeling except of the right sort, and that they would discharge their duty with the greatest gallantry.

Motion agreed to.

METROPOLITAN POOR BILL-(No. 45.) (The Earl of Devon.)

THIRD READING.

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FLOGGING IN THE ARMY.-NOTICE.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON: I wish, Sir, to give Notice that in Committee on the Mutiny Bill, on Thursday next, I propose

to move a new clause instead of the clause which now stands in the Mutiny Act, relating to corporal punishment. The clause which I propose to move will have two objects. The first will be to restrict the infliction of corporal punishment in times of peace to three of

Order of the Day for the Third Read- fences-namely, mutiny, aggravated ining read.

THE EARL OF DEVON moved the third

reading of this Bill. On a former occasion some remarks were made by a noble Earl (the Earl of Shaftesbury) with reference to the authority under which persons of

unsound mind were detained in workhouses. He had received a communication which conveyed an assurance that the best means of solving the question involved should be duly considered.

THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY expressed himself satisfied with the assurance, and added, to save himself from the appearance of discourtesy to the head of the Poor Law Board in delaying so long his Notice of Motion on the subject, that he had had an interview with the right hon. Gentleman, who, he supposed, had forgotten the suggestions that were made in the extreme pressure of business.

Motion agreed to: Bill read 3a, and passed.

House adjourned at Six o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.

subordination, and disgraceful conduct of of the clause will be to provide upon the an indecent character. The second object face of the Mutiny Act that which is now only arranged under the Queen's Regulations-namely, the division of soldiers into under no circumstances, shall a soldier of two classes; and I propose to enact that, the first-class be subject to corporal punishment. I will lay upon the table of the House to-night or to-morrow the clause which I mean to introduce.

CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONSREMOVAL OF MAGISTRATESCERTAIN MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSE.

ANSWER TO ADDRESS.

Answer to Address [19th March] reported as follows:

"I have received your Address, praying that I will give directions for the removal of all persons in the Commission of the Peace of any County, City, or Borough

who have been found, either by Committees an unsullied character, his contract of of the House of Commons or by Royal twenty-one years' service with the State, Commission, guilty of, or privy, or assent- and having thus acquired by right the enjoyment of his pension for the rest of his ing to Corrupt Practices at Parliamentary days? Elections.

"Concurring with you in the propriety of discountenancing all such Corrupt Practices, I will take into my serious consideration how that object may best be accomplished."

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILL-SUFFRAGE TO WOMEN.

QUESTION.

MR. DENMAN said, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, having regard to the Act 13 & 14 Vict. c. 21, s. 4, which enacts, "That in all Acts words importing the masculine gender shall be deemed and taken to include females," it is intended by the use of the word " man," instead of the words "male person" in Clause 3 of the Bill to amend the Representation of the People, to confer the suffrage on women qualified according to the requirements of that Clause?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: It appears to me, Sir, that this is a Question which the hon. and learned Gentleman might have reserved for the Committee on the Bill, when the opinion of Gentlemen of the long robe might be taken with respect to it. I am scarcely competent to offer one; but I have considered this subject, and it appears to me that if he had studied it more attentively he would have found it unnecessary to put his Question. It is laid down in the Act to which he refers that in all Acts the words importing the masculine gender shall be taken to include females unless the contrary is provided. But that is, I believe, provided in this instance.

ARMY-COLOUR SERJEANT T. CONNELL.

QUESTION.

MR. STEPHEN CAVE said, the circumstances under which Thomas Connell's pension was suspended were these :-He martial on the 28th of June last year to was sentenced by a regimental court reduction to the ranks, and ten days' imprisonment in Forfar Gaol "for conduct highly insubordinate, and to the prejudice of good order and military discipline." His commanding officer, Colonel Laird, reported on the 30th of the same month to the Secretary of State for War that, after his sentence had been read, "his conduct was scandalous in the extreme;" that he tried to excite the men to mutiny on parade, fought and struggled with the escort on the road to the station, and harangued the passengers in the train during the journey. Colonel Laird says

crimes in addition to that he was convicted of, it "If he be allowed to go unpunished for these is impossible that I can maintain order and discipline in the regiment."

This report having been referred" by the missioners of Chelsea Hospital, they deSecretary of State for War to the Comcided that the suspension of Connell's pension for three months was the lightest punishment they could inflict, after giving every consideration to his previous long service and good conduct. The legal authority under which the Commissioners acted in such matters was the Act 7 Geo. IV. c. 16, s. 13, which enacted—

sioners, and they are thereby authorized and empowered, upon complaint and proof to their satisfaction being made to them of any fraud.. or of other misconduct attempted or practised by any person being a pensioner, to suspend or take away the pension."

"That it should be lawful for the Commis

This Act was confirmed by the Act 9 & 10 Vict. c. 10. The last part of the question was somewhat ambiguous. If by "right" the hon. and gallant Member meant legal right, he had shown COLONEL SYKES said, he wished to ask that the law under which the pensions the Paymaster General, By what legal were granted provided for their contingent authority the Commissioners of Chelsea suspension and forfeiture. If the hon. Hospital suspended the pension of Colour and gallant Member meant that in his Sergeant T. Connell, late of the 78th opinion the law ought not to contain such Highlanders, to the amount of £9, for a provision, it was obvious that he had alleged insubordination as a clerk in the entered upon a field of argument far beoffice of the Adjutant of a Militia Artil-yond the limits of a simple question and lery Regiment, he having completed, with answer.

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