HC Deb 12 July 1860 vol 159 cc1839-41
MR. CARDWELL

moved for leave to introduce a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act (1856.)"

MR. MAGUIRE

moved the adjournment of the House.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."

LORD FERMOY

objected to the Bill, as a libel on the condition of Ireland. That country was just as peaceable, and law was as well preserved, as in England. There was no reason for a coercion Bill, and he should vote against the introduction of the Bill.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

inquired of the hon. Member for Dungarvan whether he would withdraw the Amendment and test the question on the Motion for the introduction of the Bill.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Question again proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act (1856)."

MR. HENNESSY

warned the House against passing another coercion Bill for Ireland, and moved the adjournment of the Debate.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 11; Noes 60: Majority 49.

Question again proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act (1856)."

MR. BRADY

said, he was sorry to oppose a large number of Members of the House who had decided that the Bill should be introduced, but he did so from conscientious motives, and believing the Bill altogether unnecessary, and a degradation to Ireland, he should move that the House should adjourn.

MR. CARDWELL

said, that nothing could be more reasonable than to express his opinion against the Bill, but why not do so at once, by voting against its introduction.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

said, he had opposed the Bill when introduced by the Government of the Earl of Derby and he should oppose it now.

MR. MAGUIRE

said, that the Bill was a stain and a disgrace, and he considered himself justified in taking advantage of every form of obstruction which the rules of the House afforded.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

complained that hon. Members who were against the Bill would not vote against it, but shirked the question.

MR. BLAKE

pointed out that it was all very well for the noble Lord to accuse them of shirking the matter, when he knew he had the majority with him. Irish Members were entitled to use every mode of combating this odious Bill.

Motion made, and Question put, "That this House do now adjourn."

The House divided:—Ayes 9; Noes 61: Majority 52.

Question again proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act (1856)."

MR. SULLIVAN

moved the adjournment of the Debate.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, he could quite understand the sincere objection to the Bill felt by the hon. Members, but did they hope to tire out the majority? He hardly thought that they would, on reflection, consider that persistence in such a course was consistent with the due discharge of their duty.

MR. VINCENT SCULLY

taunted the Government with not having said a word of the character of the Bill, but wanted to get it through a stage without any explanation.

MR. CARDWELL

stated that though it was true that the cases of putting the act in force were not frequent, a barbarous murder had recently been committed on the borders of Galway and Mayo, and he was sure that the peaceable inhabitants of that district would be very much alarmed if they had not the protection of the House.

MR. MAGUIRE

opposed the introduction of the measure on the grounds alleged, and said that a persistence in the course they had taken was the only way to meet a tyrannical majority.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 11; Noes 59: Majority 48.

Question again proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act (1856)."

MR. MAGUIRE

thought it was time for them all to go to-bed, as they had to be there again at twelve, and it was now half-past three, so he would move that the House do adjourn. At all events they ought to have mercy on the Speaker.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, that if possible, he would rather move that the minority should have leave to go to bed.

Motion made, and Question put, "That this House do now adjourn."

The House divided:Ayes 7; Noes 59: Majority 52.

MR. BLAKE

moved the adjournment of the Debate.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, that as the Gentlemen opposite were reduced to seven, he should suggest whether it would not be well that they should show themselves the seven wise men of England, and permit a division on the main Question.

MR. HENNESSY

said, out of consideration for the Speaker he should suggest that they should divide on the introduction of the Bill.

MR. BLAKE

withdrew the Motion for Adjournment.

Question put, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue and amend the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act (1856.)"

The House divided:—Ayes 53; Noes 15: Majority 38.

Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. CARDWELL and Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL for Ireland.

Bill presented, and read 1° to be read 2° on Monday next, and to be printed [No. 260.]

House adjourned at Four o'clock in the morning.