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1
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8
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r^
Th
HC
Mr.
Gl
|opi]
), '
7
The Kiel and Home Rule Ot
if 5/
/
UESTIONS.
'i>.&<ttk
-^/c
HON. JOHN COSTIGAN'S
SIPEEO-EI
^?:; l-Ft^ot/^'^ocfe, iv;^.
'W
'Jl
Mr. Costigan's Letter to Lord Lorne on
Home Rule for Ireland.
GLADSTONE'S BILL FORESHADOWED.
\
OPINIONS OF THE IRISH NATIONAL
NEWSPAPERS.
^ej^^i'lb^. dutfai\, Cou^rjiq, &d., id.
%■■■%■
i
THE
KIEL AND HOME RULE
QUESTIONS.
i
1
In the course of the following s|)f;eoh (Jolivered by him at Wood-
stock, Cirleton County, N. B., tins lion. Mr. Costigan very tritely remurks
that the " National Policy" nor the " Iliel " (question will not be the only
important factors in the approaching struggle for supremacy in Canadian
affairs. " Homo Rule for Ireland " has b'ien made a party cry in Canada.
Therefore, it has lieen thouglit well to lay before the Canadian Public
Mr. Costigau's reasons for the course he and his fellow-Irish representa-
tives thought proper to ])ursue with regard to this question during
the se'ision of 18S6. No need for any elaboration ; for Mr. Costigan
exi>lains his position antl that of his fellows in clear forcible language,
and without any " beating ahout the bush ?" How common is the remark
even amongst well-iiitentioueil, patriotic Irishmen: "They (Costigan —
an i the rest of them) made a mistake !" Yes ! they did make a
mistake; they made a mistake when viewed as Canadian politicians,
but as patriotic Irishmen, loving the land of their birth or of their
ancestors, they made
NO MISTAKK!
Had Messrs. Costigan, Curran, (^oughlin, Burns, Hackett, McGreevy
and the other Irish Catl.olic Conservatives (there were none such on the
other side of the House) chosen to play the "demag' gue ro/e," they would
have simply voted for Mr. Blake's lesolutions — which would have been
defeated — ancJ leave the responsibility to be shouldered by those who
forced the residutions of 1886, not caring one straw whether they were
lost or carried. Leaving Mr. Costig;in to tell his tale in plain, nnpreten^
tious language, there is no need for further introduction. But there is one
point that it is just as well to direct attention to. It is that wherein Mr.
I
OoHtigan, with that lovo of justice, of fair play and of " <loing unto otherb
as you would bo done by" he uses the following languagf, in speaking of
the resolutions of 1882 : — "Edward Blake made one of tin- ablest spcn^hea
I ever hoard in[niy life in suj)port of them" (the resolutions of lf^82.) This
is only o rejjctition of the language which Mr. Costigan has ever held
regarding Mr. Blake's speech in 1882. When he was interviewed by a
(now) MHMnber oftlu* British ITouso of Commons in 1881, (a Conser-
vative,) he referred to the matter in the same words. .\nd this is the
man wlid has been vilitied .as a " traitor" — that foulest (if words in thu
Irish vocab\ilaiy. I [ere was John Costigan, a member of the Liberal-
Conservative (Government of Canada, saying words of i)roinise in favour
of the Liberal leader in Canada to a Conservative Englishman who
wanted to understand the Irish question, just because he (Costigan) felt
that justice diMnanded it. Let anyone who reads the? Parlianunitary
reports, or who ha > happeneil to sit for an hour or two in the galleries of
the Canadian Commons, contrast this with the sneers — little short of
insult — session iifter session with which the leader of the Lil>eral party,
Mj ward Blake, in the pride and egotism of his position iias time and
tin. -gain treated the single-mindiid John Costigan. But Mr. Costigan
has been addressing his people " down by the sea," and liei(- is his speech
delivered at Woodstock, New Brunswick :
T(J THE ELP]CTOHS Ob' THE UPPER ST. JOHN.
Tin: iui;l qukstion and home uulk.
Mr. Costigan, says tiie St. John, N.B., Sun, was receive<l with
hearty aj»plaiist>. He said. I feel greatly gratified at the opportunity
afforded me this evening of ajipciiring before so largo and intelligent an
audience as I see before me at present. At this hour of the night, 1
think it well t<> assure you at tlie start that I do not intend to tres[»as.'^
very largfily upon your time or patience. You have listened, no doubt,
witli a ureat deal of pleasure, and felt a deep interest in the addres.s
delivered by my distinguished colleague, Mr. Foster, and, if he had
reason to couji'lain of our friend, the Minister of Customs, for having
tiiken the ground from under his feet and left nothing for him to say,
with how much ureater force may 1 appeal to your symjiathy after ho
-h}i.s followed the Minister of Customs and left still less for me to Siiy.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, the two former speakers have
dealt with (piestiuus that affect the interests of every citizen in this
country. Tiiey have drawn a picture of the two great political parties in
">
^
s
'?
A
t 'lis country who appeal to the int«llig*ruce of the electors of Canada.
They have referred to the National Policy as being the great issue in
tpe coming contest ; hut, ladies and ^'cntlernon, the National Policy will
not he the great issue in the coming < oiitest. The Iiil)cral party, under
tpie l(>ader8hi[) of Hon. \f r. lilakc, dons not seek re-election on account
6f any fixed policy that wouM r<'(<)n)num(l itself to intelligent pisople.
The policy of the party led l»y Hon. Kdward lilako, is a policy calcu-
Jated, and intended, to gain strength from strife, that may he created by
nrraigning cl;>ss against class, race against race, from o\n^ end of the
country to the other. A reference has been made l)y Mr. Foster to the
fact that notwithstanding th(^ repcid :igitation in Nova 8cotia, that
province will send a majority to the support of the Liberal-Conservative
povcrnment of this country, and I have great pK-asure in endorsing
that statement with the firm conviction that it is the truth. He has
also stated that notwithstanding the excitement protluced by dema-
jgogues in the Province of Quebec, that old province svill s<mu1 to the
junpport of the Government, who have cai-ried out the policy of progress
and imiirovcment in the countr}-, a good majority. Aiul I might add
Ihat notwithstanding the addition of a few supporters to Mr. Mowat,
In the Pioviuce of Ontario, that province will send as stnmg a majority,
,|f not stronger, to support the (Conservative party in the next general
election as now represent it in the ParliaincMit of Caiuida. You all
know that the Province of British Columbia will send an unanimous
representation, and every n\an will know after the contest is ended, that
there will not be a [)rovince in the whole of Canaila that will not send
a majority to the support of tha Conservative Government.
What is the policy of the Opposition, and what are the weapons
fco be used against the Government of this country 1 The great weajjon
to be used in the Province of Quebec, as far as it can be used by the
Liberal l»arty, is to excite the prejudices of that people against the
present Government because the sentence passed on a criminal by the
highest courts of the land was allowed to l)e cari'ied out. We all know
what excitement was produced in that country by demagogues travel-
ling through the various counties and ap{)ealing to the pieiudices of
the peojjle because that unfortunate man was executed. We h.ave all
heard of the cries raised and the terms and oi)ith(!ts ap[>lied to the
Liberal-Conservative Government because that execution took place.
We have been called hangmen, and if the statements made by the
Liberal party from one end of the countiy to the other were well
founded, they should not have called us hangmen, \)ut murderers, beoause
if the statements they made were true, and the men forming the present
Government consented to execute an unfortunate man in order to
strengthen themselves politically or consented to the death of a man
whom otherwise they would have believed to be innocent, from the
prospect of deriving additional support from any element of the peo-
fde of this country, they were not merely hangmen but murderers in the
iace of the country and in the face of God. But I can well remember
^■f:
^-\
I
when a quostion of this kind onco cnme before the Hombo of Commons, i
when Mr. Bluko whs Minister of Justice, and when ho defended him-nsj
self in words of eloquence ai>d power Ixfcuust^ sotno insinuations had, r i
b«;en cast upon him with reijard to the carrying outof the death penalty ^
imposed on criminals, ho said, " can you for it moment imagine — can* \, '
you tjot nnike allowances fur the pinition of Ministtir -f Justice and tho<
jminful lesponsiliility under which he rests] (Jan you imagine a man
would he so lost to allsens(f of honesty and justice that he woidd give that
advice uj)on which depended the life of his fellow-being, and l)e influ«M)oed
by any unworthy or selHsh motive or political considerations? " He
made that strong appeal tluni, but ho forgot it atterwards when he
crossed the House and becanui the attucking party, and there was an-
other Minister of Justice in the office who was as sensitive of his
honour and conscience as Mr. Blake; could possibly be. And I would
ask any intelligent audience in any part of this country, can any set of
men — is there one single man who will reason the matter out and say
to hin)s«df that he honestly believe that these fourteen Ministers sat
around the Council table so lost to all that w-is honest and truthful
and just, so lost to all sens(! of priuci [>!(;, so dead to their sense of jus-
tice and their consci(;nces, that they sat there and delil)eratod and finally
yielded to the dictation of the Orange or any other element, and agreed |
that this man shoidd die? No, sir; I do not Ijolieve there is any living
man in Canada to-day possessed of any intidligence, no matter what hia
political prejudices nniy l>e against us, who wotdd coolly and calmly
pass sucli a judgment against the Cabinet considering the question at
the time.
What were really the grounds for the agitation in 18G9-70 in the
North- West] This unfortunate man, Louis Riel, was then a liritish
subject. The citizens of this country believed that he and his people
had grievances. T^io doubt they had had difficulty with the first sur-
veyors, who went up there and located the land, and probably were
imposed on by some of these men at the time. Governor Macdougall
went out to take charge of the territory. In the difficulty then exist-
ing Louis Ritd had the French and a portion of the Scotch and English
half-bieeds with him. Ho was determined to resist entry and jtosses-
sion of that territory V>y the Dominion Government before a guaiantee
would be given to them or the bill of lights acceded to. Vei-y few lives
were lost in the rebellion itself, but a prisoner was taken by Itiel's men,
and the execution of that man was the only stain upon Kiel's character;
the great mistake he made at the time, because the people of Canatla
generally were in sym|)athy with the half-breed people, because their
rights and position in this country wei*e not fully understood by either
party in Canada. But, sir, he took prisoner a man by the name of I menf
Scott, he was tried and convicted, sentenced and shot. I want you to ) servij
remember one incident in the trial and execution of that man. At the i sijonj
time one of Mr. Riel's colleagues was Prof. O'Donoghue, who had been I t^ hij
a professor in the St. Boniface College prior to that, and had joined the | / , fler^
i
lomtnons,
i(1(mI hinvps
Aons had^j
h jioniilty
jino — Clin*
t» aixl thct
ino a nuvn
I give that
infl»u'no(^d
1.8 1" He
wlu'U he
•e was an-
tivo of his
1(1 I woukl
any set of
lit ami say
iiufitcrs sat
1,1 truthful
iiso of jus-
and finally
and agreed ■,
i any living
,er what his
and calmly
question at
19-70 in the
en a liritish
I his people
Ik; fii'st sirr-
•ol)a\)ly were
Macdovigall
then exist-
and Knglish
r and posses-
I a guarantee
ery few lives
^ Kiel's men,
I's character ;
e oi Cana<la
)ecause their
Dod by either
the name of
want you to
nan. At the
^vho had been
ad joined the
^vincial Government of Ricl. When that trial was hein^ taken up,
Oouoghuo protested against any such proceeding ; declared that thoy
\ no authority for taking upon themselves a matter of life and death,
^ he would not take the resnonsiliilitv and withdrew. But his conn-
did not prevail. Scott was tried, sentenced and executed. That
J^mt created almost as much excitement throii^hout a large portion of
iiada as the execution of Kiel has caused, and in the one case as in
I otiu'r the same politicians fanned the flame in Ontario when it was
B (piestion of the murder of Thomas Scott.
* We find that Hon. Edward lilake, who recently shed tears for
wrongs of the half-breeds, was the man who rose in the Ontario
jgislature and depicted Louis Kiel as a red handed murderer,
d offered $5,000 reward for his ap[)r< hension, and declared
Ht so foul a miirder must be avenged l)y the men of Ontario
•not by the laws of the coimtiy, sir, but by giving it that local and
Ctional character he aupealed to the people of Ontario as it the crime
•8 not committed against all ('anada. Oetu ral Wolseley was sent
itli an ex])edition into that country, and the half-breed fountl that
.th the forces coming against him if they reached the country his
ne would be short and his reign would be over. His warreest
lends, those who took (he deejHvst interest in him, advised him to
give himself up, and the best manner in which he could do so was to
offer his services to Governor Archibald, who was then Governor of
Manitoba. In the meantin.e, befoie he had received this advice
and acted upon it, General Wolseley was mak'ug slow progress tluough
what was known as the Dawson road with his troops. Piior to this
Kiel and his council met, discussed the whole fpiestion, and decided to
raise a force and meet and cut off the march of General Wolseley and
his forces, but he could not rnise the required numlx-r of men in Mani-
toba. What did he do? Why lie, himself, over his own hand and
signature and those of his colleagues in the itrovisional government,
authorized O'Dotioghue to go into the United States and appeal to the
Americans there to give them arms and men and aid in any way to
repel, if they could, the invasion of the Canadians. O'Donohue went
down, a member of the provisional Government, as T have said, with
these documents of authority in his pocket — documents which I held
in my hands afterwards and produced betote l^lrliament, and there-
fore, I know of what I speak and know of their existence. He went
to the United States, procured mon(;y from sympathizei-s for these
people, procured arms and the assistance of a certain number of volun-
teers who offered to come and aid J^ouis Kiel.
When O'Donoghue reached Pembina word came that reinforce-
ments were coming to Louis Kiel, but at this moment Kiel offered his
services to do what 1 Wljy, to go and repel the so-called Fenian inva-
sion, to fight his own colleague coming with his own authority, coming
t(^ his rescue at his recjuest, having fulfilled the mission of danger. He
ffered to go and repel the invasion, headed as it was by his own col-
J
I ,
!
lea^iin, carryinij out liia own iriHtnictions. IjOiiiH Riol j'houjmmI from
MtiiiituWii to tlio irtiittMl Sttitns ; wiiirantH woro iHNUod for liiin, ^tit hit
U;<>iiii)R tin AiiKtricaii citi/cn, wuh mo loti;^ei' a Ciiiiiuliiiii, aiul ti-()ul)l<rm>ine
and <l('Hii{iiin^ oliacacttMs Wt'^an to a^ilat() in ManitoWa ainuii;; tlio lialf-
bn-t'ds ami hulians. Tlicni was the FaruHtrs' Union, which waH a polit-
iail t'ligint! at ihat time, woikini,' in th<* Lihcral int^Mcst, anil thoj
thoiij^ht l\ui coui's*! Iicst cahMdatrd to piunioto th<fif inlrn^nt wan to
pKrach diHcontcnt and disHatisfaction in that roiintry. TUvy worked
upon tho synipiithifH «»f tho haM-ln-ccdH, makini,' thcni lirlifvc^ tiiat thi^y
w»M(' witli them and |ir('|>ared to n'licl. A i\'w of thii half-hicrd.s w(!nt
down and Incjught Louis lti«'l up into the country, llo held wvcraJ
uu'ctings. Up to this tinu' (hr half-la-ct'ds had always lioen h-d, yuith" I,
and advised hy thcii' clcr^'y. Tlicy wtrc an innocent, industrious, hon-
tsht, harndcss class ot pt-oph- — ignorant, of course, havint,' never enjoyed
the advantages of civilization to any great (extent. They were without
twiucatiotj, and like children in llie hands of tlieir clergy. Their oh;rgy
gave them the l»est of luivice, and told them to havt! nothing U) do with
Uiuis Kicsl. They told them that Hi;-! hud got them into trouiile once
luifore an(l Ik; wc^uld get them into troul)le again. The people ti)()k the
•dvice of their clergy, and what did Kiel do then] He then took it
upon himself to proclaim himself a juophet to work upon the prejudice*
of thes(! people. He persuaded a |)Oition of ihem that ho was nu)ro
()OWerfuI than tht; juiests, persuadt^l a small portion of them that thti
Church of Kome was tyrannical, that it kept the jieoplo in igtiorance
and extorted money from them, but h«^ said ho was insjiired, he was to
tejujh them, and they were to fcdlow hini. lie expo.sed tho Sisters of
Charity to great danger during the trouble that took place shortly after.
Well, ho .succeeded in putting the Indians upon tho warpath, and
while w<' all regret tho end of that unfortunate man, while we all regret
that he placed hims'.'lf in such a position that the extreme jienalty of
the law had to be visited upon hin), while I have heard orators ap[>eal
to the passions of the Canadian peoide in favour of this course, 1 hav«
never heard theni make reference to those two young men who went
out there with their wives to stjttle down in that country, and who
were shot down by the creatures of Ijouis Kiel without a word of
warning. (Applause.) Nor to the two priests who went out to that
oountry, devoting t\nnv lives to the cause of Christianity, and while
ofleiing the last consolations to these dying men, and kneeling beside
them, received the murderer's bullet. The \ictims of this savage
butchery were cast into an old cellar, and their bodies left there in th«
ruins of that place. No sympathy was expressed for them. I think
the people of this country are disposed to think that these lives were
just as valuable as that of Louis Kiel.
Let me give you another instance of the unfair attacks upon bh«
Dorainion Governnibnt for the execution of Louis Riel. Let me ask
the attention particularly of those Irishmen who have blamed the!
Government for the execution. Not more than six weeks before this
v«i
Ull
111
^lel
oul
»dv|
IriH
iluti
iMiel
givil
jth(
A
li'uil oHai\Hi(\ from
iin<| for him, hut h«
im, Kii<] tirxililt'Morni*
dIhi Hinoii;,' tin- hitlf-
. whicli was it |>olit.
inU'n-Ht, and tlioj
ir int('i(\s(, was to
try. TIh'v wf)ik»;(I
I l)«'li»!v«f that thuy
lo hulf-i)r(>c(|,s W(!iit
III) held K('v*'ia]
^s \iinm \f{\,i^\iuU}],
t, inchistiious, hon-
viuif novor ODJoyoil
rhcy Winr wiiliuui
yjiy. Their chrgjr
nothing' (o do with
into tioiii»h' ()ne«
he j)0o|>hj look the
He th<Mi took it
|»on tho in(!Judic(«
hat ho was nioio
of them that tho
eoplo in ignorance
isi)iiv(J, ho was to
led tho Sisicis of
iico shortly after,
tho warpath, and
liilu wo all rogrot
:tremo penalty of
rd orators ap()oal
IS course, I have
men who went
luntry, and who
thout rt word of
went out to that
unity, and while
kneeling l.eside
of this savage
left thtire in the
them. I think
these lives were
ittacks upon tht
il. Let me ask y
ive blamed the| V
^eeks before this f
feixt iin Irishnuin committ<Ml murder in that country, Wii8 tried and
jnvicUtd, but his counsel appealed, cliiiminK that the court had no
irisdietion to try u cjihc of murdta-. The aj»|H*ul ;Hmo before tho
linister of .Justice, no appeal wa« ^^ruiit'od. tin' liiw took itH course! and
lie man was executed.
[iouis lvi(*l was tri(><l afterwards by that same tribuntd in the same
)untry, and hentt-nce of death was passetl up<»n him. His lawyiM-H
Llvi.MMl an appeal on aectiunt of w.mt of jurisiliction in that court. Tho
[loverMmeut (lid not value llu; life of Louis Ili"! uion^ (han llnit of an
Irishman. They had no more doubt as to Lhe jm isdiction of tlu; cotiit
Lhan in the former ctuio. They saw that the case of Louis Kiel wiw
OIK! which a portion of tlic! pop.dation of this coi.uti^ -.vei-e tryini.j to
give a national eliaraet«'r. 'I'ln'V siiid, "We must try and keep that
dangtious s('ntim(!nt down, and therefore will make an exception in
i)i this case, and while we fully lielieve the court has jujisdiction, while
we l>eli<'ve it is constitutionally constituted, still in order that these
ilemagogues may not hii\e jinytliing to appeal to th« passions of the
jM!ople of tliu country upon, w<5 must show that the Goveinment are
disposed to aH'oril him an oppoitunity of ch^ai-ing himself from the death
iM'iialty, if he can !«! cleareil undi'i- (he laws of this country." Accoiil-
lii^dy an appeal was ailoW<'d, the case was carrieil to tin; »Suprt!me Court
'u\ \V'inui|»''g, where th»; sentence of the first court was coidirmed after
A full iuvesti<i;ati()n and exandnation of all the evidence that (!ould be
protluced. And let me say here as an answer to those who charu'e tho
Governmcint with refusing to furnish means for tln! trial, that the Gov-
. ernnu-nt did furnish all the m<;n'.,'y for biinging tlu! witnesses asked for
*by the defence.
As 1 have said the decision of the first court was confirmed. Rut
the lawyers of the defence siid : Now, there is still otu! last resort,
one tribunal in which the whole em|)ir(! has conlidence. Let us see if
we can get an appeal to that high»'r trii)unal, the jurlicial committee of
the Privy (Jouncil. That demand was made upon the Government.
. The Government said yes. Tin; political dcimagogues must hav(> no
i ground or excuse for saying the |)risoner had not a fair and impartial
i trial. So the ca.se was carrieil before the judicial committee of the
Privy Council, and with what r(!sult ( That committee confirmed the
decision of the two former (•(airts. Then thcr»! was nothing to l)e done
unless the (Jovernment would step in and say, '' No, this man must
not be hanged." But the Government could not consistently take such
a course as that. They did not consider that it was only the life of
? Louis Kiel that was at strike ; the policy of the Government was to
i^settle and people that great Hud.son Bay country winh a law-abiding
i|population. Exposed to the possible outbreak of the savage tribes in
ihat teriitory, if there was one thing above all other things necessary
for the future peace and prosperity of our Canadian Northwest, it was
^ assure the people of that country that the law of the land must l)e
^Kjyed and maintained. They felt they owed it to every new settler
M
!
'I I
i
10
ni
wlio wenf into tlmt territory that lie hIiouM feel that the arm of the
law was strong enough to protect him and jiunish wi-ong doers.
Let us suppose here that in response to th(^ strong appeals madelm
to them — not by the countrymen of Lotiis Riel, for the Fnuich -Canadian i|>s
people were not the countrymen of Kiel, who was as much an Indianm (
as a Frenchiiiai;, and did not represent them in the true si;nso of the %-i
word, although I can understand that on account of being half French gul
tlu^y would takeadeej) interest in him — supposing, T say, the HominioniBdi
GovfMiuuent had yielded to the vi^ry earnest and numei'ous so]icitationsif8t
made for his i-eh'ase, what then? I say it would have paraly/ed thcj^ u
people of the ".7'"i' rn country, that it would have inc^vocahly shakenittt
tlH!ir cf)n{idence in the administration of justice. What would they dong
with the savages who, stinudated by lliel, connuitted brutal murders injnu
the distant territory ? Thoy were arrested and found guilty of murder. |<
Could the government pardon Louis lliel and let these .savages be p»m-e iu
ished 1 Would they not be handed down to future generations asi^ti
corrupt and cowardly administrators of the law ? Would it not be said, ops
and justly said, " You let Louis li'u',\ escape because he had a largo .sec-|doi-
tion of th(^ civilized portion of the (^ounti-y to use their influence to setj^ ii
him free, but you strung u[> these poor, uncivilized .savages who had givi
none t pl''ad on their behalf '? " They could not do it. They could noti.
allow the i.iun who created the rebellion togochsar and punish his hap-,ncti(
less victims and dupes. Well sir, the result was tiiat the majesty of rwai
the hiw was vindicate(l, the law took its cours(^ tlu; death penalty wasefler;
car!'i(!(l out and Louis Riel died for the terrible crimes he had com-^er
mitted. (Applause.) afctei
And that is not the only cpu^stion that will be a j)rominent issue i to i
at the n(!xt general election. I would like to say a few words in self- any
d(!fenc<; and in defence of my friends in Parliament who, with me, havei this
been accused as traitors — T mean the (juestion of Home Rule. 1 hiey '
desin; to state the liistoi-y of that (juestion in as few \voi<ls as possil)le. le ati
In 1882 1 was called upon by a committee of [rishnuiu repnwniting )tt)ec
both political partitas in this country, and being a warm sympathizer »e ni
with the movement for Home Rule in Ireland, 1 was asked what 1 ad ei
thought would 1)0 the prospect of carrying a resolution in the Mouse of lia c(
Commons favouring a system of govei-nment in Irelaiul sucli astluiilrc
Cana<lian peoj)le enjoved in this country. Well, I said, I think theie Ir
peoph* of Canada, who know all about Home Rule, who enjoy its hav
benefits and feel satisfied with the blessings of the government under ftV(; 1
which they live, will not obj(!ct through their n^presentatives to ex])re.SKi6 in
a willingness to see the peo[)]e of Indand enjoy the same privelege. I Mt n
was asked to take charge of that question, and I consented to do so onifl^ I
one condition -that it would not be a political question, that it would fc^lio
not be a parcy quc:ition, and that T should have the assurance of th(^ ut il
Irish peo[)le themselves, that they wjintfd me to move in this mattei- 33Pry
so that 1 would not be chargeil with acting the part of a demagogue in e$ri
the lluuse of Oomnions. Resolutions were passed all over the l|j)it"'
.>
11
that the arm of thelninion of Canada from the Atlantic to the l*acific coast, endorsing
wronfif (locis. f resolution of 1882, a copy of the resolution which had been sent to
strone: appeals niadejin, aiid which it was inttmded to move before the House. I took
thoFr(!nch-Cana<lian|jj.s to have the resolution ]>laced l»efore the House, to get the expres-
is as much an Indianjn of the House upon it. I invited every Irish member, Protijstant
the tiue suiiso of the pv.W as Catholic, in the House and in theSenaco, to meet and appoint
of being halt French |ul)-connnitt«'e to prepare the resolution ; still carrying out the one
, I say, the nominiont|«liU(.n 1 started with at first that it should not be made a political
lumerous soIicitationsi(^8tioii, 1 invited gentlemen from both sides of tlu^ House to co-operate,
d hav<f paralyzed thcji^ uu-eting was held, most of them attended, we formed a sub-com-
r'e irrevocably shakeniitcfe, franuMl the resolutions, gave notice* of nu)tion, and to make a
What would they dong stt)ry short, not a vote was iccorded against them in the House of
bed brutal murders injunnions.
ind guilty of murder. Kilward lilake made one of the al)lest speeches I ev(;r heard in my
,hese savng<fs be pun-e in siij»port of th<'m. f did not consid(U- tiiat his speech carried the
iture generations a8i(|stion, because you all know, gentltMuen, that in the House of Com-
VVoidd it not be said, ops the ones wiio carry the (juestions are the ones who have; the
Hi he had a large sec-g^otitv of the memltcrs in sympathv with thetn. The minority do
their influence to setj^ initiate many measures, nor (Mrry them tliruugh, but I am willing
;ed savages who had give Mr. Blake and his friends tlui credit of having co-operated with
) it. They could noti. We carried it to the Henato. There it n-ceivcMl ahnost unanimous
• and punish his hap-,ncti(>n, only six nu;inljers voting against it. The addr(!ss was then
that the majesty of rwarded to Ilcr Majesty thiough Ifis Excellency th«j Oovernor-
e death penalty was efteral. Earl Kiinberley was instructed to reply that in such matters
crimes he had com-.er Majesty would eonsnlt her own Minist(!rs, that this was not a
atter the people of Canada had anything to do with — practically told
a ))rominent issue i to mind our own business. At that time Mr. Gladstone! hc^ld a good
I few words in self- any of the hading Irish Home Jlulers imprisoned in Kilmainliani, and
who, with me, have I this addicss was a sngg(!stiou that th:;y should be s(?t at libnrty.
of Home lin\o. I hlBy were set at lilx-rty sliortly afterw;'rds. But I vvoidd like to call
w words as j)ossil>le. le attesntion of my fi-i(!nds — if I may call thiMU sudi foi- 1 lia\e a gntat
shmeni represcniting )tt)oct for the Irish pc^ople here on account of tin; warm sympatliy for
warm sympathizer).© movement which is being nuid(> in Ircfland. I aduiirt; tin; pluck
was asked what 1 ad eu<!)gy of the fight tlu^y are making for what we an; enjoying in
ion in the House of xia country, and which no lil>eral man will say tln-y aic not (mtitlcd to
reland such as the i Ireland. What followed'? -I do not find fault with the masses of
I said, J think the 10 Irish peo[>l(!, for I know they have l)een dec»;ived and misled. But
lule, who enjoy its have; su|tr(!rne contempt for th(? demagogies who, knowing that I
government underlie beisn ti-yii.g to do what is I'ight and honest, enilcavour to injui-e
entatives to express lii| in tlu^ (,'stiuiation of my owm country nu-n. Tiie Irish all over ('anada
same privelege. I ^|[t me messages of congratulation foi- the pa.s.sing of a motion which
n.sented to do so oni^y had not l)eli(;ved would pass th(>. House. The most thev expected
sticm, that it would fcihe tim(! was that it would elicit a favourable! vote ii l^ll•lialnent,
e assurance of th(! !» they never dreaftied that .,. majority would cany it through. J am
love in this matter JWy to say tli;it the congratulations, that warmed and cheei-ed my
of a demagogue in tfrt at the time, were soon to be changed into insults and injuries,
,ssed all over the Spired by the demagogues to whom \ have before referred.
12
it
Laat session when thero had not been a word said, not a single woti
had I received that the Irish question ought to be raised again in to
House, the first indication I ever had of it was when the Montroi
Post and Trtie WUnesH published an article saying that "it is rumour
that a motion is to be introiluced in Parliament to thank Mr. Gladsto.^
for the lejiislation he has initiated in favour of Home Rule. If'fM
should cunie from the Tory side (and you will remember it was a To-'^''*
who moved and carried those resolutions at tlie I'equost of the Iri^''
people in 1882), if it should come from the Tory side, we know what'!*'-
means; it will he pure buukuiii and humbug to please the Irish peop^f M
but the time is past foi- passinj^ any such resolutions." Well, sir, a ftw*^1
days afterwards the St. Patrick's Litei-ary Society of Ottawa, came '?l^'"1
me and asked me to move another resolution on the Irish question. *P»^o1
said, "show me how you expect to strengthfm the hands of the men wW thl
are tigbtiiig the battle of Home Huh; in Ireland, and I am with yoi'f tb
Can you get a better vote in tht House of Commons than you g'fP^'*
before ? Is not there danger that you might not get as good a om*'?^^'
Then, why re-open the question? I will not do it unless you can sho"^^'*^
me or give me assurances that you are not going to injure the questio>^^"-
by it." But the game was apparent. *** '^'
but that it is going
to gam
was not Home Rule the wire pullers among these people wanted.
was not to strengthen the people in Ireland, but the Grit party, i'***'"
Ontario esj)ecial]y. They wanted to be able to go back to Ontario ai.^^f?^'
say, " We introduced a resolution for Home Rule and the Governmei^"^'''
opp«,sed it." That is proved by the course they pursued, Mr. Plak")^'
then, as we all expected, moved as an amendment to the motion to i*"*! o
into su()ply, his motion on the Irish question. That motion coraiiW ^^
from the leader of the 0[)position was beyond any cavil a clear, ope ^
question of want of confidence. It was so accepted and he was advise'*'^^"'
tliat if he forced that motion under present circumstances the GoveriJl''^"'
meut could not do anytliing but vote it down. Xo doubt that woul'^*' "^
have suited Mr. Blake's purpose as far as Canadian politics was coi^P^*^
eerned, but when Sir John A. Macdonald told him that he would naui^^\'''
a day to discuss the question Mr. Blake had to withdraw the motioi**^'^
The day fixed was Thursday, and I saw that if the motion wa*****'^'
carried at all it would be can-ied by a very much reduced vote as coir'J'^
pared with that oi 1882, and I saw also that those oj)posed to an^^";
Home Rule would say at once : " In 1882 Costigan's Home Rule resc'*^^^"'
lution received the unanimous support of the Canadian House 08*''^^"
Commons, and was carried in thi; Senate, receiving every vote but six^'^'
and what was the result in 1886 ? Why, the resolution introduced bj***^"*
Mr. Blake, the leader of the Opposition, was voted on and carried by j*®^^"
bare majority, and never was sent to the Senate at all. There ha*8'^\
been a great change of opinion in Canada. The Canadian peopl*^,"
whose sympathies were so strong in 1882 have changed their ''^iew ]J|'^J
greatly because the vote of 188G is very much weaker than that ol-^
1882." What then did I do? I introduced an amendment to Mr 8*^",^
Mud
: 1;
Hi request of the Iri:'
side, we know what
please the Irisli peop!
ons." Well, sir, a ftl
ity of Ottawa, came
the Irish (luestiou.
fi hands of the men w
i, and I am with yot
'o mm ons
18
1 said, not a single woJ
be raised a»ain int»*^^®'» motion, and I was careful in preparing that amendment to
as when the MontrcJ?'^®^'^'^^ ^^^ sentiments contained in the motion of 1882. The prin-
i<r that "it is runiourer'^^ reason 1 reiterated those sentini(!nts was because I felt in placing
to thank Mr. Giadsto.'^*' same resolution before the Housii I was asking the gentlemen who
of Home Rule. If'#ted for it before to confirm what they voted for in 1882, and, sir, I
emembor it was a Tor*iM3 doing move ; I was ensuring the passage of iny amendment, which
" " ' •■*'" of equal and, according to Home Kule ojgans, greater value than
. Blake's motion by double the majority he could reasonably expect,
leader of the Opposition, to have his carrie(i by. Well, sir, the
jendment was carried and then the work began, tlu; work of slander,
[srepresentiition and falsehood. A howl was raised at once and
'aoed around the country that Costigan and the other Irish supporcera
the Government were all traitors, that we had played into the hands
the Government on this cpiestion and were deserving of nothing but
IS than you <riipi'enie contempt. Bt'fore Mr. Blake moved his resolutijn, with the
lot tjet as cTood a onc-'l?'^'^"*'''^"^*' "^ ^^'^' ^'''''^' nu'mbcrs of both Houses, \ sent Mr. Parnell
t unless you can sho^^ctly a cablegr-.in congratulating hiiu upon the i)iogress that wa«
to injure the questio^"? made in the public niiiid ot\ the question of granting Home Kulo
me was apparent. 50 Ireland, ir.id here is the answer sent by Mr. l^irnell himself: —
•ie people wanted. " l*i'^'^i* Sih- -1 dctsiie to express to you snul also to the Irish rep-
'Ut the Grit party i.-eBciitation in the Uaiuuliau Pailiament the cordial thanks of my col-
;o back to Ontario aJ®*©"*^-' ^'^*^^ myself for the lengthy and iuqioi-tant nu'ssage which you
3 and the Governmerr*'"^^^"'^ ^'^ "^ "'^ *-'"' ^^^^ ^"^*^- '^'^'^^ exiircssion of sympathy on the part
pursued. Mr. 01al(>f yourself and our friends in tht; Canadian Parliament is of the utnuist
It to the motion to (iwi ortance to our cause, as it will do a great deal towards^ strengthen-
That motion comiH*"^, «"^" P^^^^ion in the Imperial Parliament."
ny cavil a clear ope' ^'^^^ I i^ii^.V be wrong in this matter. 1 know
3d and he was adyiseW^^'^f^'^ "^ Ireland in Canada. I know there are men
nstances the Goverii'T^'^*^ sacrifices to see Ireland enjoying thff same system of Goverinnent
No doubt that woul*'*' '^^'^' ^'HJ^yi"?: l'^''^'' ^^"^ ^ *-^o "*^^ believe that any of these men,
liun politics was coL^fP^^^'^'b' t'*^'*^^' ^^'''*^' have criticised me seven^ly, kmjw uu)re about Home
a that he would nani-ft"^^ than Mr. Puruell and his associates in Ireland do, and I am quite
withdraw the motioi*!*'^^*^'*^^' "^ ^''^^' '"^^ ^^^^ Iiish q»u,'Stion is concerned, and with thcj kindly
t if the motion wu*^"'"'^"^*^^ ^^^'^^ ^ have contii-ming the thnnks of these nuen for having
reduced vote as conif^*^*-^^''^ great service to them, while at the same time the) thank the
lose opposed to an^'*'^'^''''^ Parliament for the generosity that made them support, ihat
ui's Home Rule reso''*""^'-*"' ^ ^'^y ^ '^'^' quite satistied that I can afloi-d to let, the deua-
Canadian House o§^'^"*^^ *'^"'' '^ -i^^"-^^ <'^"^^ -i"*' ^till not be uneasy in my conscience for the
' every vote but sixlP"'"^^ ' '^'^^'^' [tursued. (Apphuise.) After the i-esolution was passed
lution introduced bi^*"*^ *^^ ^^^^ newspapers raised the cry, and one-half the Irishmen in the
on and carried bv i^^^'^*^*'.^' '^^^-i'*' ^^'"•^ ^^ l)elieve that I and my Irish fiiinuls had voted
at all. There haW^"^^'' Home Uide. Why? P>ecanse we voted against Mr. Blake's
he Canadian peoplfil^*'^*-'"- ^'^ ^'''' '^'^'^' ^^"^^ ^^ ^^^ '^^*^ ^^*' "^'^ voteil for the amendment
chanc^ed their view-ji^^^^'' ^ introtluced. They say my amendment was nothing like Mr.
there are warm
I know there are men wlio would make
weaker than that ol*^'^^^'''^ n^*^tion
amendraeut to Mr _
iiuns
Well. I think the Irish people themselves ought to be as
that point as any one in the country. If you had read the
of Mr. Purnell in Ireland you would have seen that they
^l -'''
) {
i '
i.
€atl
14
say the difference between the two motions — Mr. Blake's and minf p
was as between tweedledum and tweedledee, a difFerence in construct ^
only, the advantage being on the side of Irish liberty, because it v
carried by the re8),>onsible Ministry of the day and not by the iif*'^
sponsible minority. (Applause.)
But I have better proof than that. Do these men know that IJqj.
Blake did not stand so firmly and determinedly by his own moti ^
Mr. Blake did not consider that there was such a great difference <cf'
nil between his and my motion, because he and his party swallowed |(>f"|
motion and voted for it to a man. except Mr. Mitchell, who would Jj^oJ
vote either way. It could nut have Upcu so bad or Mr. Blake wo
not have voted for it. The only difleieiice was that mine succeeds
carrying a larger vote than he coiild have succeeded in carrying, liecii
I madti it almost word for word with the motion we voted on in 1** * '^^
I sav that Mr. Blake, in introducing that motion, was not iuflueii ;. "
by the desire of promoting Home Rule. If he hud been desirous ^
promoting Home Rule would he have sprung his vote of want of cc^ "'
dence without consulting the Irish members in the House? He k
he would not have carried that motion, but what he wanted was to ^'
and bring it in and have it voted down without any amendment sucli ^^ ^^
I moved.
It is not merely because it is an Irish question that I have drag; ^
this subject in this evening. It is because it will be discussed in the e. ^'^
tion here more tlian the National Policy itself. The Irish people )^'
Canada feel deeply interested in the cause of Ireland. They are ready * ^^.
ne
ti
w
make a sacrifice to obtain a system of Home Rule, and if they can bo |
suaded that we have been traitors to ihem, we will lose their sui>i)( '^^
and the object of the Liberal party is to gain sufficient strength throu ^^
detaching the Irish party from us, and enough supporters out of Quelx ^^
to give them the reins of power. There is where they expect to get tli<
majority and not from any platform they have been able to constni
and I trust you will excuse me for confining my remarks to this sul)jf
which will, I trust, place our friends in a position to understand wV
did really take place, and then they will be able to judge for themseh
as to who was right and who was wrong. (Hearty applause).
'♦ lu
«* I.
U
it
u
o
Mr. Costigan has given a very fair and impartial account of t *' v
tt V
resolutions of 1882 and of those of 1886, in the foregoing speech. ^'
may, however, interest the Irish people of " this Canada of ours" to km
tha'^ •* Home Rule" not being quite so popular in 1882 as it has since
thanks to God — become, the attendance of the Liberal side of the Hoi;
at the meeting in 1882 alluded to by Mr. Costigan was just four — and
the adjourned meeting held subsequently just two — including Senal-
and Members of Parliament of the "Irish" (Catholic or Protestai.
*'d
*' a
" C
U J
«(
<(
«(
J
15
Ml-. Blake's and mi nJ persuasion." His reference to the effervescing anxiety of the Liberals
liirerence in constiuctl 1886— who were so very conspicuous by their absence in 1882— U
liberty, because it \f j i j
lay and not by the ji^articularly well told.
Hero it may be well to introduce a chapter or two from Mr. J. K.
lese men know that lyoran's ijamphlet. The following tells in succinct language what would
1 a wreat difference Ip^uredly have been the fate of Mr. Blake's resolutions had his motion of
his i»aity s\v;iliowe(|#(t»i< of confidence in the Government been allowed to go before the
mtchell, who would JJouse, even with the support of Messrs. Costigan and the other Irish
bud or Mr. Blake wol ,, ,. , nr t:i
fliuf «.;,.,. o.,^ 1 vatholic memhers. Mr. i?oran says : —
tliat mine succeeclec
ededin carrying, hocii " I"^ this chapter I will put the (]Uo.stion in a new light, and do so
ill we voted on in l*-^* as simply as I can. After the resolutions were forced into the House,
ion, was not influen *^ desj:ite the dangers to which '^hey were going to be exposed, Mr.
3 hud been desirous^* Blake seized upon theoi»poitunity and moved them. Mr. Mills then
is vote of want of CO ** "'0^'6tl an amendment to the effect ' that the name of Parnell be
the House? He ki, " added to that of Gladstone, in the original resolutions." To prove
at he wanted was to ^ their sincere desire to aid in the work, and their real wish to have
any amendment sucli *' Ireland's great leader honoured, the Irish-Catholic members (Conser-
" vative), one and all, voted with the opposition upon this amendment.
tion that I have dra" ** Costigan, Curian, Daly, «kc., all cast votes with the Liberals in order
be discussed in the c ** ^ express their admiration of Parnell and devotion to Ireland. What
'. The Irish people " "^^'^^ ^^^^ result? The amendment was lost by 87 to 09. By a ro;ijor-
md. Thev are ready ** ^^y "^ eight(;en the name of Parnell was left out, showing that it was
!, and if they can ho i " ^^^^ to honor him, to serve Ireland, but to praise the Liberal leader,
will lose their snpp( ^ '^^^'^ ^^^' party purposes that the resolutions were taken up by the Grit
icient strent'th throu ^^ faction. Then arose the danger. Had Costigan, Curran, Bergin,
)porters out of Oueh- ** I^^L^> ^^-i voted with Mr. Blake on the original motion, the result
t/hey expect to wet tlit ** would necessarily have been the same ; the Blake resolutions would
)een able to constni " have been defeated by a majority of eighteen. Then would these
remarks to this sul)ip *' Iiish Catholics have stultilied themselves! They would have given a
n to understand wli ■* powerful weapon to Salisbury, Ch unberlain and Churchill. These
o jud<'e for themseh ** i"<^" could have pointed to Canada and said, 'four years ago the
tv applause). Duminion was in favour of Home llule, but since it has changed its
** opinion and it must have good reason for so doing.' Mr. Blake would
" have reaped the benefit of having taken them up ; while their defeat
mrtial account of t *' would have suited all his other political purposes What remained
foregoing speech. ** ^'^^' ^^^' t^ostigan and others to do ? Save at all hazards the defeat !
** Mr. Costigan, then, seeing that the vote would run on party lines,
^' desi»ite his and his colleagues' effoi ts and their votes for the Op})ositiou,
^ ami that cert.un defeat stared them in the face, and knowing that the
?^' Conservative vote was the stronger, he grasped in a statesmanlike
,*' manu(u-, the situation and moved an amendment which had the effect
"' of tiding the resolutions over the shoal, and saving them from being
,♦* swamped. And for this amendment he is condemned. Men come
*' out to condemn, in no measured terms, the very action which Wiis the
" salvation of the cause."
nada of ours" to kiu
1882 as it has since-
eral side of the Hon
was just four — and
—including Senat"
itholic or ProtestaL
16
But let it be always borne in mind that the n\0Teinent of 1882 wa
a spontaneous one on the part of the whole Irish population of the Dd
minion. Every Irish Society from the Atlantic to the Pacific who couU
be reached was consulted. What was that of 1886 1 Was there a singM
Irish Society, a single Irishman outside of Ottawa consulted in the in;i,!|,^,
ter ? Let those who
Poia
idvi
rfE
mIo{
#orl(
ceina
GHad
might achieve a passing tiluinph in Dominion Politics. ^ t
Mr. Costigan and his tellows are accused of abandcjiiing the; ^I'l^^kUp i,
of Home Rule. W«ll, let Mr. Koran again speak, and he speakuth
follows : —
PULLED THE WIRES
in the Oity of Ottawa aiiswe- ; and on their heads lie the odium of havii
endangered the
SACRFJ) CAUSE
of Home Rule for Iielaml — in so far as in thorn lav — in onltM- that tin
anui
Mr
oc
" It has been stated that JNIr. Co;stigan ceased to tak<; an inLer(>to as
in the Irish causu after tli(; passing of the Home Rule n:.s; lutions ( i
1882. It is true he did not go aliout crying from the house-tops hi
Irish sentiments; but unkno-ivn to tiio public, in secret and in tli**'^'!
quiet sphere that lies beyond the din of })ublic tumult he uncea.singl
labored for that cause. Did somt^ Irish-Canadians but know tlu; on'
half of his actions and movc^nents to aid and further the Hom ; Ru!
cause, they would blush with shame with having treated the (piii ^°
worker so disgracefully. Bocausc h(i did not [)aratle his every act Ijefoi-; .
the public gaze thoy think he was silent and inactive. In 1883, befor* ; "
any definite [Ami of Home Rule was adopted by the Irish party .i ^
home, and when the Maj-quis of LoriK; was about to leave Canada, li **
wrote to Mr. (Jostigan asking that Mr. Costigan should point or: 'J''.
measures ho deemed n(>cessarv for Ireland, in order that these sugg(!'
tions might be used on the other side of the Atlantic to Ireland'
benefit. Before Gladstone favored Home Rule, before Parnell's plat ^
form was completed, here is what Hon. John Costigan sent to tlit
Marquis of Lome. As Minister of the Crown, and as an Irishman ^ ^"
this so nuich abused mari placotl the following i)Owerful statement \i ■
the hands of Her Majesty's representative."
as
",th
And it may be added : — Did some Irish Canadians know but one-hal: ** Cc
u
na
of his (Mr. Costigan's) actions and movements to secure to them a jus'
•* of
representation in every walk of life, •' they would blush with shame witl « ^
IT
moremeut of 1882 w
I population of the Di
o the Pacific who con
6* 1 Was there a sing!
a consulted in tlie ni;
."ving treated the quiot worker so shamefully." But men's i,'ood deeds
e after them, and when John Costigan will have passed away, many
o now — if they do not revile him at least join in the parrot-like
ty " He made a mistake " — will s;iy in the bitterness of their remorse,
* When shall we look upon his like a<,'ain 1 "
Now here is Mr, Costigan's latU'v to Lord Liorne. alluded to by Mr.
Poran, written with a full knowledge of his responsibility as the sworn
lidviser of the Quteu — the (.^ueen of Canada as well as she is the Queen
lie the odium of havii-., , , , , ,, , . ,,oon\ i ^ »-r r^i , i i
It England — and mark the date (1883), years b«;fore Mr. (Iladstone had
MJopted Home Rule, when, in fact, by no word or sign had he given the
iflbrld to understand that he favored the measure ; and mark, also, the
Wnarkable coincidence l)etw('en its opening words and those of Mr.
ES
iv — in order that tli
litics.
abandoniui; th(i oau.s
Gladstone in his ever memorable speech, when he introduced his Bill into
tfte Houseof Commons to pluoe " Local Legislation and administration in
Lsit
the hands of the Irish peoplo " ?<ii"h were the vei-y words he used.
' "^ . pe< . JU^ unfair deduction to assume that when he was uiafting his bill he had
ll^. Costigan's letter to Ijord Lome under his eyes ; antl is it not fair
;d to take an inLcresto assiinio that ^Ir. Gladstone followed the advice given him by one
le Ride ms, lutions o^i i i i , iu <. <• 4.1 • r
. , , ^ , .Wfioaa lie had every reason \o suppose was the exponent ot the views of
)m the house-tops hi , / . \ , *
in secret and in tli*?*^*''''^^ portion of the peo[>le in this " the brightest gem in the crown V
imult he unceasing! « Ottawa, 18th June, 1883.
i but know the on'
tlier the Horn; lliil " ^^^'^ Loru Lurnk — In your letter of the 8th inst. you ask me
lu' treated the (mi(** *° point out what measures I deem most useful for Jreland.
bIus everv act befoii " ^ ^^ thoroughly convinced that Home Rule is the measure that
ve. In 1883 befoi-" Ii"i^li™^'i ^^ home and abroad expect. / am also of opinloi' that no
y the Irisli oartv -i *- o^/ier measure, loh'tch will not place the control of Local Leglshdtire and
to leav Canada }, " Of^w^*"^^'^"^^^^'^ ^'^ ^^'^ hands oj the Irish people, mil be satisfactory to
xn should ooint'ov "''"'^' ^' productive of that haniiuay wliirli is so es-ential to the well-
r that these sugg(« **"b<''ing of the Empire."
Atlantic to Ireland' " ^ ''™ aware of the existence of difficulties in the way of giving
re Parnell's nlii " ^^ Ireland a system of local government similar to that enjoyed by
ti^an sent to tlii " *^^*^ ^''*°^^"^®^ *^^ Canada: but I believe those difficulties are less
nd as an Irishman ** '^^^™*^**^"''^ '^"^ less 'conii)licated than the difficulties that presented
>werful statement i[ "themselves to the framers of our present constitution, and shoidd be
^;as easy of being provided for in the case of Ireland as they were in
**, the ease of the diflfe rent provinces, iimv comprised in the Canadian
uiK know bvit ono-hal: *^ Confederation. The difficulties in the vv ay seem to be of a triple
lecure to them a ius' ** nature. The large owners of property look with dread at the prospect
, -xi 1 -1 ** of entrusting vested interests in the hands of men who would be new
usH with shame witi « ^^ ^j^^ responsibilities of administering a people's affairs. They seem
>efo
Cost
18
1 1
i
((
«
U
u
u
tl .
I
««(
l<
II
II
11
it
" to fear tho teachings of Hociiilism, and to tliink that if Ireland wor«^* i|
" free from her present moorings, confiscation of all existing proprietary''
" rights would follow. Then English pride revolts at tlio danger of*
" disintegrating the Enii)ire. It views with alarm the proposal tc"
" establish what it considers might he a hostile Parliament in Ireland,**
" and even moderate Englishmen fancy that such an experiment would
"be dangerous. i\gain the religious minority in Ireland appear to"
" think that its liberties would be in dangei-, and they (piestion the ** il
" propiiety of entrusting their future to the keeping of nuMi with whom **
" they have had long and bitter feuds.
" Those are, in my oi)inion, among tho jnominent difficulties whicl
" the Imperial Government have to overcome, and if they c;in be satis-
" factorily guarded against the* experiment of granting Homo Rule to
" Ireland might be attempted without arousing the fears of tho land
" lords, the dread of Imperial shipwreck, or the teri'or of religious **
" persecution. If the Imperial Government reserved to itself the right
" of vtdo over all Irish Legislation, as the Government of the Dominion
" has over all Acts of Provincial Legislatixres, the dangt rs of Socialism,
" Confiscation or Persecution would at once vanish. With such a
" power vested interests would be as safe as they are now, the integrity
" of the Empire just as secure, and the liberties of the minority just as
" free from the danger of extinction. The. Irish Parliament would
" have no power to successfully assail either one or tho other. The
*' chances are that the desire for doing so would not exist. The past
" histwy of Ireland, as ivell as current events go to strengthen this
supposition, for it is a well-known fact that, in all their struggles,
" men differing in religious belief from the majority, have always been
" among the most trusted leaders of the i)eople. In the East, South
" and West, gentlemen holding religious views contrary to theirs enjoy
" to-day the highest representative offices, legislative and municipal
" within their gift, and there can be no just reason for anticipating that
" the conduct of the majority in the future would difier from their
" action in the past ; but, assuming the worst, the people of Ireland
" would be powerless in view of the safeguard which the veto would
" ensure. But there could be a still greater safeguard. These diffi-
" culties could be finally settled before Home Rule were granted at all.
" The land question could be settled now. In fact I believe no system
** of Home Rule would succeed in Ireland unless that question ware
" first settled. No matter how that question is disposed of at present,
" the ultimate solution of it must be a radical one. Ireland must have
" a peasant proprietary sooner or later, and it should be far more
** satisfactory to the landlords and better for the Empiro to have the
" difficulty ended by an Imperial enactment than risk the success of
" Home Rule by leaving so difficult a problem to be solved by the first
" Local Legislature. And the integrity of the Empire would be
" secured in the same way ; everything affecting that integrity might
" be reserved for Imperial Administration and Ireland would have no
« I
4i
|(
«<
l(
II
U
■u,.:..i:JUg " Lii-: -Mf
MM
19
c that if Ireland worej-
all existiii;,' propiieturjl'
i^olts at tlio ilanjjor of*
iliuni the propoaal tc**
Parliament in Ireland,"
1 an experiment would
in Ii-elaiitl appear to •
and they question the **
ing of men with whom **
<i
inent diffioultie.s whici *
(I if they can be satis- **
•anting Homo Rule to *
the fears of the land "
le terror of religious f*
•ved to itself the right **
ment of the Dominion **
dangi r.s of Socialism,
inish. With such a
are now, the integrity
f the minority just aa
ih. Parliament would "
) or the other. The **
not exist. The past
to strengthen this
1 all their struggles,
ity, have always been
Tn the East, South
itrary to theirs enjoy
ative and municipal
for anticipating that
lid differ from their
e people of Ireland
vhich the veto would
eguard. These diffi-
were granted at all.
I believe no system
that question ware
sposed of at present,
Ireland must have
should be far more
Empiro to have the
risk the success of
)e solved by the first
Empire would be
hat integrity might
and would have no
mfjro power to break away from Oroat Britain than any Province in
the Dominion Wdiild have to ItrtMik away from the (lontedcnaion.
With our power of vi;to and the control of the militia, the danger of
secession is removed and there is no reason, that 1 can see, that Great
Britain could not i-uard htr interests in a similar way.
" Nor do I see any dangei" which might threaten the minority in
Ireland that couUl not l)e guarded against. Your Lordshij) may
remember that at the time of Confedeiation the Protestant minority
of Quebec asked for certain guarantees. Tliey rightly wished that
tlieir interests should in somewav be ix'iarded in order tliat tht!V should
have a fair shaie ot repiesentation in the House of Commons as well
as in the Local Legislature ot their P'ovince. What was done! In
the Eastern Townships there was a Protestant minority, and twelve
constituencies were so ananijed iis that they would h;ive i'l-otestant
majorities, thus securing Protestant repi-esimtation to the minority of
Quebec. This arrangement stands good to this day. Why couhl not
a similar arrangement be njade in Ireland in arranging the constituen-
cies for the Local Pailiament? The North could be so divided that
certain constituencies would have Protestant majoritic^s, thus st'curing
to tlie minority fair re|»re.sentation. In fact the chances are that the
minority would hold the balance of jtower. There would be, as there
now is, a largo j'ortion of the Irish Catholics who would defend
Protestant liberties as readily' as they would (hjl'end their own, and
any attempt to intinfere with these rights woxtid end as disastrously
as if an attempt wen; made to extinguish the right of the r'rotestant
minority in the Province of Quel)ec, or of the lloman Catholic
minority ot the other Provinces. Tlius, my Lord, it appears that the
three great dilliculties in th(i way could lie removed by surrounding
the i)ropi)sed Constitution with sati guards which in a great way have
already been adopted with marked success here. When Confedera-
tion became a living factor in Canadian ])olitics the leading men
from the different parts of the country were brought together, and
interests and special cases of each locality were consideied.
********" There is another
serious aspect of the Irish question which a carefid stuilent of the
English press cannot tiiil to notice. That press iscontiiiually pointing
out the ditiiculties in the way of Home Rule, but never tells ns of the
advantages such a change in Ireland woiild be to the Emjjire at large.
No thought seems to l)e given to tlie sectn'ity ami peace that a satisfac-
tory solution of the ditttcultiesin Iieiaml would liring to Canada alone.
* * * * * * * * ii ii^ji,ie Rule would
beyond a doul)t, consolidate, not weaken, the Empire. It vv^ould
make the Irish at houie as loyal as the Irish in Canada and the
Colonies, and it would remove all causes of serious agitation on the
|)ai't of extremists. That loyidty would be cheaply [)urcliased by the
surrender to the Irish j)eople of the luanagement of their local affairs.
P]ngland should accept the national aspirations of the Irish [jeoplo as
5
20
ft
1
" a burning fact, and instead of docrying it, utilizo it for hor an well <?
*' Ireland's benefit. How strong that national aspiration is, the atteiii^
" of tin? Pope to interfere with tii(5 Parnell testimonial fully provi r
*' Fancy a peojde who have sutfered so much for their Religion as ir**'
" Irish hav(? in the past. Century after century the perseeution wt.ibe
" on and yet the Irish remained firm upholders of their Faith. Th
" might Ite ext«!rminated but they would not change ; but yet the instu, ^^ ,
** that the visible Head of their Church — the man whom they look upi '^ '
" as the most important Personage on earth — attempts to run count
" to the Nation il will, that instant sullen silence or open anger fiiOo.v
'* play, and they giv(! him to understand that not for him will tliOf
** swerve fiom the line of duty. *do|
The War Office conceded to the Irish regiments the right to w(^t^al
the Shamrock, and J am confident that that little concession to the jlftf^'
national sentiment did more to touch the hearts of the Irish soldieWH
than did the disestablishment and disendowment of the English (Jhur Mi'
in Ireland. That sentiment should be accepted as a factor in the pr Mr.
sent struggle, and it would be wi.se if the English Government allow? of 1
it generous and legitimate piny. Ac
" ^ itii reference to the Franchise, I see no reason why the Englis^dd
" law of household suffrage with a larger Franchise; should not be applif ^Y
" to Ireland. It would nob do to have a more restrictive Franchise ; fw
" Ireland than in England, and to us in this country it appears i; Vl®^
" anomaly that the poorer country should have the larger assessment ; lo^l
" order to nualifv for the electoi-tte. ' ifi^
" As to Provincial Legislatures, I can see no reason for their ado "g^^
" tion. They would add materially to the burdens of the people withor 0* **
" corresponding advantages. One Parliament would be sufficient witW* I
" County Boards and such a Municijial system as we have here. If th«*' ^
" Parlianuint were vested with power enough to control local affair
" strong enough to develop the resources of the country, and jn'uder' wa
" enough to expend advantageously its share of the revenue, peace an* •"'*
" contentjnent would reign once more in Ireland. All this can, I h •^'^
*' lieve, be easily accomplished, and if it be done within a reasonab^vlP*^
" time, I am convinced we will witness an outburst of Irish loyalty tin ^*^
" will bo an additional guarantee of the stability of the Empire and tt *-^
" security of the Throne.
<To
" Having now, my Lord, given you an idea of my opinion on tl ^^
,1 avail myself of the ojjportunity of congratulating yov ^
" Irish question,
** Lordship and Her Royal Highness on the i)l( asing fact that in sevei*
" ing your official connection with them, " • ""^^ ""■• *^'^" '^"^
" wishes of the Canadian [)eople, for you
Tt
, you carry with you the hei #'^'
ir })rosperity and happiness, an*"?*^'
" to as.sure you tjmt no portion of them wish that prosperity and ha|, *
" piness to yourself and Her Royal Highness more fervently than d' *''
" the Irish. " Believe me to be, <tc., &c.,
" Dear Lord Lome, *
" Yours very truly,
"JOHN COSTIGAN."
SI
lizo it for hor as well ,| Remember it was in the siimraer of 1833 tlmt this was written. It
ts|)nation is the atte..i|L from a Minister of the Crown to the renreHontativc of England in
•stunoiiial fully provilT ,
•r their Kolii/iou an ti**^^^' **"^^ ^'^ ^^ l)e conveyed by that representative to England and
y the persenition W(.ibe placed before the English Government.
1 of their Faith. Th. Reviewing Mr. Foran's pamphlet, the Dublin Freemayi'a Journal
ige; but yet the instu - i i »
^n whom they bok upisT^^^ November, 188G, says of Mr. Costigan's letter to Lord Lome c
tempts to run count " Our readers are not unf^tniiiar with the name of the Hon. Ji»hn
ce or open auger fiiOD'<tii;an, the mover of the celebrated series of resolutions in favour
not for him will thiOt Home Rule for Ireland which the Dominion Parliament of Canada
a|iopt«d by a unaniujous vote. Mr. Costigan is a type of the
uents the right to wcilifansplanted Celt — ))olil, fearless and urtcotnpromising with a
ttio concession to the BftSHioiuite attachment for the Okl Land and an unshaken faith in her
ts of the Irish soldiellltiuirtte triumph. His ability is sufficiently testided by his rank as
:■ of the Englisji (Jhunlpinister of Inland Revenue in the Cabinet of Sir John Macdouald.
I as a factor in the pr]|li*. CoRtigan has recently been in communication with the Marquis
h Government allow? •! Lome* who, when Viceroy of Canada, foitued a high opinion of
Iho Minister of Inland Revenue. The letter which Mr. Costigan
reason why the Enclis iddres ed to the ex- Viceroy, and which is pu'dished in a pain|)hlet
se should not be appljf by Mr. Foran on 'Irish Cat oli; Kepresenlatives,* is a powerful plea
estrictive Franchi.se i for Home Rule, He (Umcu-s s the question at considerable length,
country it appears ;i viewing it in its relation to religious tolerance, to the position of the
he larger assessment ; Imperial to the sul)ordiuate Leijislature, and to its eflfect upon the
general prosperity of Ireland. For all three considerations Mr. Cos-
reason for their ado tigan supplies satisfactory proof of the value us well as the necessity
IS of the people withor 1|f Bonie such measure as Mr. Gladstone proposed." With respect to
ould be sufficient witllli [)Osition of the minority under any condition of self-government,
we have here. If tlilit* Costigan writes : —
3 control local affair f " I see no danger which might threaten the minority in Ireland
country, and jnnider* Wiat could not be guarded against. Your Lordship may remember
he revenue, peace an* ttiat at the time of confederation the Protestant minority of Quebec
d. All this can I b'lskrd for certain guarantees. They rightly wished that their interests
le within a reasonab*ipbould in some way be guarded in order that they should have a fair
'st of Irish loyalty tlii^^*^''^ <^f r'^pi'^sentatives in the House of Commons as well as in the
of the Empire and tt'I^cal Legislature of their Province. What was donel In the Eastern
' Townships there was a Protestant miiu)rity, anti twelve constituen-
of my opinion on ti* oi®s were so arranged as that they would have Protestant m ijorities,
of congratulating vol* ^^^'^ ^*^'^"''^'^o -P*''^^^^*^^'^^ re[)resentation to the minority of Quebec
iing fact that in sevei*This arrangement stands good to this day. Why could not a similar
ry with you the bej^#'^''^'i>?^'"6"^ ^® made in Ireland in arranging the constituencies for
ity and happiness an^i^® ^'^*^*' Parliament. The North couFd be so divided that certain
Lt prosperity and ha;*f**'^^^^^'''^^'^°^®^ would have Protestant niaj )rities, thus securing to the
are fervently than cl'*^**^'^^**"'^y *^^^' representation. In tact theciiances are that the minority
* Would hoid the balance of j>ower. There would be, au there now is, a
«■ '• large portion of the Irish Catholics who would defend Protestant
uly, "liberties as readily as they would defend their own, and any attempt
sr COSTIGAN."
, I
I
' 1
1 I
u
u
IS
to intoiforo witli IIm'ho li'^'litH wotjM (Mid kh diHiiHtmusly aH 5f n
ii
tt»'in|»t wri(t iiiiiilr to I'xtin^iiisli tln" i'i;,'lits of flm Pii)t«'HtaMt iniiioi i'A^^.i
in till' Pr iviiicif oi" (^nulnr, or of lIil* Kumim (J^lliolic ininoiily of t
" oiliii Piitviuccs.
t^it
Mr. (/OHti^'iui liiis MO fancy for tlio ChiunlxM'laiii
tioii
II
oinc
R.
(I )
iilH, iirid Ins viowH npoii tins |)iiasi> ot tlic (|
th
ill
)f tl.
COllCH^
'Htioil
itl>
eHpccially va
lual*l*
H(
rxu'' tliat tlir nvinl»(!r for Uirininuliam drew l
inspiration mainly froui Canada. An to Provincial Lugi.slaturo8 8a
Mr. Costigan : —
1 CHH Hf»o no roaHon for their adoption. Tlioy wonid add inatci
^rg»
Toi
ally to tli«' lairdfiis of tliH people without corresponilint; ad van t a i:"' vim
One P.nliauK nt would lt;» Hiillicieiit with (.'oniity ixntrds and hucIi ,f%\\
nHiniciiial systc'i us we have here. It that Parliament were vest<
with power enoiii^h to control local atf'iirs, stroiig enoUiih to develi "^
the r 'HDurccH of the eojintry and prudent enough to expend advantau''
ouslv its '■hare of the i-evenue, i)eacn and coMtentineut wuidd rejj'n one P'M
more ill Ireland. All this can, I helit^ve, 1)0 easily aeiiompllHhed, aii^ • '
if it Ite done in a r.'asona''I»! hinv'th Of time I am convinced we wil *^1'
■witness an oiit'turst of Iii h lovalty that will l>o an additional jjnai *^'l
antee of the staliility of the empire and the security of the throne." "'^
With the grasp and sweep of a statesman, Mr. Costigan, Hcoutin
cei
am
mere parochial i.ssi ,s, considers the efftict of Home Puile upon tli>' 'I'h
Empire at lai'ge. No thought, says Mr. Costigan, secMus to he giver B^''
* est
to th(* securitv and peace that a satisfactory .solution of the dilliculties,
in Ireland would hring to Canada alone. ' Qf
" Home Rid ' would, heyonil a doultt, ennsoHdat^', not weaken, tht* li>'-
Empire. It would make the Irish at home as the Irish in Canada and* *''
the colonists, and it Wdulil rentove all causes of serious agitation on tlm* ***''
part of t'xtremists. That loyalty would lie cheaply purchased hy the* D''
surrender to the Irish people of th(5 managtunent of tlieir local atiaii's.' ca
England should accept the national aspirations of tin; Irish people as a' ***
buiiiMig fact, and instead of decM-yiuiX it, utilize it foi- its own as well'* *''
as Ireland's itencHl. How sti'ong that national aspiration is, the attempt '^*'
of tlu' Pope to interteie with the Painell testimonial fully proves. 8p
That sentinu'ut should 1)0 accc^pted as a factor in the present struggle,
and it would be wise if the English Covernmetit allowed it generous ^^-'^^IqI^j,
,M.l
legitimate play."
^^ Mr. '.'osf.ti/dii's lettt'V vihjht he read ivlth profit even hy so great
man as !Sir Michael H icks- Ueaeh." is g
Such is the opinion of the oldest Irish National paper in existencerect
of the services rendei-ed to the cause of the Old Land by Mr. Costigan.
Immediately after the passage of Mr. Costigan's Home Rule reso-** Uf
.t*-
I ^ M T . .*#ii.^. t' I* * ***
::«— SfrSw^H-^
1 cliHuHtroiisIy ah if :i]
^ho Fn)t«'Htuut tiiinoii'
'■Atliolic niiiioiiiy of tl
loiiH of 1880, the following apppurod in the Irisli piiporH, nii<l iniiR-
Ic'li 118 th(* uttcnuiCHH of the TriMli Niitioiml nnwHpii|M'rs iiinl of lifluud'B
t l('H(l«;r have l)«'<'n either entirely HUpprcsHi'd or slnnnpfiilly ji^nrMed
il)erlniii conceittion (3|* *'♦"*"•'* portion of the preHH of the Duininion, they are sulimitted
' of the (pu'Htion ,„#"' <"<>II«>wit.i? «hapo :
BirniiiKdiiim drew I i '''"' followiiifj; is from the editorial columns of Mi-. Parnell's own
nciul LcMri.slatures 8a\'i'"'' ^'"'^'' Ii'damf, which \n ediutd l)y Mr. Wm. O'Brien, M.l' , l»ut
; i^Wn into an error in sayitig that the ".snuh" alluded to came from the
'hey would add mah'ii*^*'^" ^'"^'"''""'^'"t in 1882. On the contrary, it was the act of Earl
espondiiij^' advantaL'''-Cfcidiei-ley, the tluui Colonial Secretary in Mr. (Jiadsfone'H governntent
ity hoards and hucIi .^^l,,,t time. Here in, ir.rbftfini et fiicmtim, what the r,iiu,l InJand
arliameiit were vestc -j-
"« enou^d. to devel.,.^'' '" *^^ '•''^"*^ "^ ^''" ^''''' ^^".^' '^'^^ '
to expend advanta"i "Oreat capital is sought to l>e mach^ hy a cou|tle of Knglish Tory
uent woidd v*v^\\ one* j'M"-'''^ ^"^ ^^ ^'"' ^^^^^' ^'"'^ ^'"' I ^'Xi'inioii I louse ot" Pailiamcnt has hy
ily aciJoinplishiMl an'" i ''''".-" ""',)•"''''>' rejected the resolution of Mr. Hlakc, h-adn" of the
im convinced vve wil' O|»|»o.sition, in favour of s«dt'-i;ovcnnuei\t. On looking at the tch'^^iaplied
''O an additional I'uui' I*p'"t ot" tli<' dehati' on the ipu'stion wt; are opatpie enough to tail to
ty of th(? throne.'' * disc.'in any iniiticular <,'round foi- Tory deliijht. The debate, we per-
L1i. r<,^,:,f; , . ^- * ceive, lasted until Hvi; o'clock in the mornin;;, and in the result an
kir. Losti;;au, Hcoutiiiu i .. <• m m ^' i »• ii \i- • .. i . i
^ amendment of .Air. (;ostigau, a m(Mnl)eror the Alimst»y, was ailopK^u.
loine Knl<? upon tl)>< 'X'hc amendnu'ut d i Here. 1 very litth^ in sul.stanoe, though it did in ron-
II, seems to he triven* •^'■"^■tit>". ti'om the proposed resolution. It ex[»resHcd a cordial inter-
<^n of the dilli • If' . * f^^ ^'^ ^''^ wtdfare and prosperity of the frisli people, and (v I hero. I to the
* iei'thnciits fxprrsseil in, the /uniifr (h/i/ri'ss to llic Cromn on the suliject
' of planting a measure of seU-goveninu'nt to Irt land. Wliili! di'clin-
ilat"^', not weaken, thp*4p^ t<.) f(»i ward any fresh A<ldre.ss, having regard to the snub tlien
' Irish in Canada and' administered Ity the Tory(?) Goverinnent, the Canadian Pailiament
rious agitation on tin.'* reiterates its good wishes for Ireland, and 'earnestly hopes' tint some
ply purciiased l»y the'* m^'asure satisfaetorv to its pt^ople may la; passed. Now, wlieic is ihe
of tlieir local affairs.* cause of our contemporaries' unholy joy J lietirei'.n (Dnfndtmuit and
th(! Irish jieople as a'* fe-^»/atl<>tt it is all but a case of tioee(1le-<bim ami tnyKlledee. The
t for its own a.s well" Advantage, if any, is on the side of Irish lilieity ; for it is Irom the
ration is, the attempt" l*"l"'"^i''h' Ministry these good wislu's emanate, not from the irre-
uionial fully proves." Sponsible Opposition."
the i.resent .struggle,. The Dublin Freeman n JonrnaJ, one of the oldest--if not the
owed it generou.s audita , • i i i i i r. i i ai i/ i^ ^.
Olaest— paper in Ireland, owntnl and edited by Mr. h. iJwyer Cray,
M even by so great a^-^-' I'f^pioduces Mr. Coscigan's cable me.s.sage to Mr. Parnell, which
iipgiven below, and, speaking of the numerous congratidatory messages
d paper in existence received by the latter gentleman, says :
lul by Mr. Costigan. « The most notable of these is the long and deeply earnest corn-
's Home Rule reso-**inunication of the Minister of Iidantl Revenue in Canada. The Hon.
24
• (
\l\l
" John Costigan, who speaks on behalf of the Irish representatives i^^^.
" the Dominion Parliament, is, we need hardly remind our readers, th^^
" mover of the celebrated series of lesolutions in favour of Home Kuluan
" passed in 1882, and which was the first expression of its kind in/avon'T^
" of the Irish National demand. Mr. Costigan also moved the amend_i^,
" ment to the resolutions in the Dominion Parliament a few days agog; J
" and the purport of which was so ludicrously misinterpreted by severa
" of our home journals, as well as some across the Channel." jj^
The always faithful and unflinching Dublin Nation also wrott
editorially as follows : ^or
" The Irish people must feel grateful to the Dominion Parliament
" of Canada for the resolution of sympathy with Home Rule passed b\
" that body, we might say unanimously, a few days ago. A division Irel
" was taken on the resolution, but the question lay between that foriDi«rj
" of words and one still stronger which had previously been proposed, q^
" so that both parties voted in favour of the principle of Home Rule
** for Ireland.
"A similar resolution was passed by the Canadian Parliament four ,
" years ago. On the 20th April, 1882, the Hon. Mr. Costigan moved
" that an humble address be p -esented to Her Majesty in favour of ^^
" extending to Ireland some such system of Home Rule as had made me
" Canada prosperous and happy, and expressing a hope that the time
" had come when Her Majesty might extend her clemency to persons ^
*' in Ireland undergoing imprisonment for political offences. This
" motion was advocated by the hon. gentleman in a very able and
*' temperate speech ; it was supported by the Hon. Mr. Blake, who had
** on a former occasion in the same House made reference to the subjects
" the Prime Minister, Sir John Macdonald, expressed his approval of
" the motion, several hon. members spoke warmly and eloquently in
" favour of it, and no one opposed it, and it was <..^rried without a
" division."
m
I<
ex
xng
The Nation then refers to the fact that the address of 1882, hav-
been forwarded to Her Majesty, a reply was sent by the then
Colonial Secretary of the Liberal Administration to the effect that, " in
matters relating to Ireland, Her Majesty would be guided by her
responsible advisers, and the Parliament of England," and continues :
** It speaks well for the spirit of the Canadian Parliament that
they have not been discouraged by this rebuff from again, and at thia
opportune moment, making a pronouncement in favor of Home Rule
for Ireland. On the fourth of the present month the Hon. Mr. Blake
moved : ' That this House hails with joy the submission to the Parlia-
ment of a measure recognizing the principle of local self-government
for Ireland, and expresses an earnest hope that the principle of said
measure may be affirmed, forming the basis of settlement of a great
S
hi
c<
ai
I
P
I
" I
reniind om^readera^th^^^^^^"' "^^^^ conducing to the peace, happiness and prosperity of the
on of its >fc'/v/°™/" •fwar" "^^^^ Hon. Mr. Blake is leader of tne Opposition in the Domin-
also movpd fh ^ *''*'!lon House of Commons, and it would seem as if the government did not
lament a f A ^"^^^ wish that he should have the credit of carrying this resolution. The
isinteroretpd h *^^ *^'^Hon. Mr. Costigan, Minister of Inland Revenue, moved as an araend-
e Chann 1 " ' ^^^^'^"ment a slightly watered down edition of it, which was carried on a
division by a lai'gc majority. B}U suhstantialhj both motions meant the
m Natimi also wrot«iwie thing. The Parliament ot Canada has declared for a Parliament
for Ireland ; the fact must have weight with English statesmen ; it
Dominion Parliameir"^^^ *"^' '^^®^" ^^ K^atefully lemembered by the Irish people. "
Home Rule passed bv ^^^^ Western People, the leading Nationalist paper in the West of
lays ago. A division Ireland, reproduced Mr. Costigan's cablegram to Mr. Parnell and said :
k^iouslv h f ™"The distinguished Canadian Minister, John Costigan, sends from
irti'^i^ «r tT^? P^^, Ottawa a message of sympathy and encouragement to Mr. Parnell."
iciple of Home Rule
MR, COSTIGAN AND MR. PARNELL.
On the 23rd of May, Mr. Costigan, acting on behalf of the Irish
adian Parliament four
Mr. Costigan moved
Majesty in favour of representatives in the Canadian Parliament sent the following cable
lie Rule as had made message to Mi-. Parnell :
a hope that the time » Ottawa, May 4th, 1886.
I clemency to persons -,^od n v m i* t j i:' i i
tical offences This Parnell, Esq., M.l ., London, EngUtnd.
in a very able and " -^^ mover of the Irish resolutions in the Canadian Parliament
. Mr. Blake, who had "i April, 1882, and on behalf of the Irish representatives in Parliament,
ference to the subjects I desire to convey through you to our fellow subjects in Ireland an
essed his approval of expression of our deep sympathy in their struggle for Home Rule,
ly and eloquently in " ^^^ re-affirm the sentiments contained in those resolutions, and
'as i^r.rried without a ▼ithout presuming to pronounce an opinion on the details of any
particular measure propounded, we desire to declare to the people of
address of 1889 V,. Ireland our gratification at the general recognition of those views, which
"'' ^^' has taken place since 1882, and to express our hope that the time has
ras sent by the then come when without injury to the interests of the United Kingdom, or to
o the effect that, " m
i be guided by her
id," and continues :
iian Parliament that
)m again, and at thia
favor of Home Rule
the Hon. Mr. Blake
lission to the Parlia-
ical self-government
:he principle of said
ittlement of a great
any section of it, such a system of self-government may be given to the
Irish people as will meet their reasonable demands, and fulfil the antici-
pations which have been so highly cherished in their behalf by many of
Her Majesty's subjects in this ])ortion of the Em})ire."
"JOHN COSTIGAN."
To the foregoing Mr. Costigan received the following reply : —
J House of Commons Library,
London, May, 1886.
Dear Sir, — I desire to express to you, and also to the Irish i-epre-
Bentatives in the Canadian Parliament, the cordial thanks ot my col-
leagues and myself for the lengthy and important message which you
- I
i
I I
!
■I
U I
i! '
ill
;l
26
cabled to me on the 4th instant. This expression of sympathy on ^y
part of youis<!lf ami our friends in the Canadian Assembly is of the j^^
UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO OUR CAUSE; vh
and it loill Jo a (jreat i/eal towards strengthaiiing our position in.
Imperial Parliament.
I am, with mucli respect,
Yours very truly,
CHAS. S. PARNELL. |?*
Hon. John Costigan, M. P.,
Canadian Parliament,
Ottawa.
lis
am
He
the
in
Cat
Resolutions Approving the Conduct of the 1iijsh-Canadianup<
Repkesentatives. tha
The following Address was presented to Mr. J. J. Curran h "
meeting held at Rawdon, Que., during last December, presided overielf
the Mayor of the Municii)ality : — .nn(
"To Mr. J. J. Curran, M. P. : aki
Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned Irishmen of Rawdon, electoister
the Ct)unty of Montcalm, wish to thank you for having visited ay
county in the present electoral contest on behalf of the Hon. L,g„j
Taiilon, who lias all our sympathies. We were particuhirly desirou ,
healing you on account ot the violence of the cringes launched agai*
the Hon. John Costigan, yourself and our trusted metnl)er for arec
Dominion, Mr. Dugas, on the Riel and Home Rule questions. Yiy ^
speech, supported by the proofs you have given us, is an overwhelm a
answer to the slanders that have been preached and I'ublished agai •.
you, and we pray God may give you health and long life to fight ^
battle of the good cause which you have done for so many years." ^,
At a meeting of the Irishmen of North Middlesex held receu
for the ])urpose of sending funds to the National League in Ireland,
unanimous resolution was passed thereat fullv endorsing the conduct_„.
their representative, Mr. T. Coughlin.
AN OPINION OF MR. COSTIGAN
■7
O
About a j-ear ago the following letter appeared in the Irish Cui-^^
duui. It is a true appreciation of his character and of his efforts
behalf of his fellow Irishmen : —
ur<
" Your patriotic journal brings the name of the Hon. Jo.
" Costigan befoie its readers, and enlarges on his worth and usefuln'
" as an liish Catholic representative. As a member of the Cabiii^**'
" and Minister of Inland Revenue, the public are conversant with ;,ry
27
s.sioaof sympathy on Hie manner in which the duties of his office are discharged. His
an Assembly is ot the j^^nJoi. .^ml url)auity of manner have endeared him to every person
)UR CAUSE ; who, in a public or private capacity, has a necessity to ai)pro;v^li him.
leninq 02ir position ii!^^^^'^' ^^^ many other ways besides in which he has been a l)enefit to
ais fellow-counti-ymen which have not been brought before tlie public,
and which so far have escaped the observation of your correspondents.
T truly He has made himself not only useful but beneficial to many an Irish-
AS. fe. PARNELL '^*^'^> particularly to those connected with the Civil Service. * *
It is, then, a matter of the utmost importance that the Honorable
the leader of the Government should see the necessity of appointing
in the cabinet one who would truly and faithfully represent the
Catholic element of the country, and the mantle could not have f-illen
' THE iRJSH-CANADiAXupon ore more suited Fiy nature and sentiment to fill the position
than the Hon. John Costigan."
to Mr. J. J. Curran ;i One of his characteristics is, that he is easily api)roached — in
3cember, presided overielf a charm. Another is the faculty which few possess, and which
,nnot be assumed or acquired, but must be imjlanted by nature — of
aking one feel at liome in his presence. If an Irishman seeks an
en of Rawdon, electorsiterview with him he will hear him out patiently, and if he sees his
1 for ha\ing visited ay of removing any grievance and undertakes to do so, he may rest
' . , , ,°^' isured that matters will be put to rights if it is possible to accomplish
•e particniitrly desiroii' . . -»
cljHicres launched awni* '^^^^ practice with him is to make no promise which he is not pre-
ti'usted metnber for ared to carry out, and there can Vje no better evidence of his superior-
Rule questions. Y<„ ^^a gentlemanly bearing,
'u us, IS an overwhelm
d and pul)]ished
ajrai
" Suice his ajipointment he has removed niany a grievance of long
nd lono' lifeto fiffiit ^^^^» "^ improving tlie position of many a deserving and industrious
for so many vears"^" ^<>^''' "^^^^ without his intervention would remain without redress
Middlesex lield receii
al League in Ii-eland,
endorsing the conduct
atiU the end of time."
"COSTIGAN IS AN IRISHMAN."
Mr. Costigan represents the united counties of Victoria a?id Mad-
waska in the Dominion Parliament. And what do you think is the
ry that is being raised against him, particularly in the latter county t
STIGAN. Oh, Costigan is an Irishman ; the Irish papers claim him as such,
«o,.^i • iu r • 7 ^ ^'^ didn't he put his hand into the Canadian treasury in 1880 to send
earecl in the l7-is/i Cai.
er and of his eflfurts
)l|^ Hundred Tliouscuul Dollars to his starving people in Ireland.
Irishmen of the Dominion ! ponder over this latter part and pic-
„ ., ,^ are to yourselves what must be Mr. Costigan's feelings under such
me of the Hon. Jo. . ^
lis worth and useful n'""'"'^^*'*^^®^" F4missaries of the Liberal party from the Province of
ueniber of the Cabin^uebec are at this moment in the county of Madawaska raising this
are conversant with t,ry amongst their compatriots.