§ On the question that 600,000l. be granted to defray expenses incidental to relieving distress in Ireland,
§ VISCOUNT CLEMENTSsaid: I may take this opportunity of alluding to a leading article in the Morning Chronicle of this day. I am perfectly aware that, if necessary, I might bring it before the House as a breach of privilege, but I am not so tender skinned as to wish to make any such attempt. I must admit, generally speaking, that the Morning Chronicle is a respectably conducted newspaper; and I regret to see either that or any other newspaper endeavour to intimidate a Member of this House by abuse poured down upon him. Abuse has been poured down upon me because I ventured to give opinions, which are sincere, however unpalatable they may have been to the House or to the editor of the Morning Chronicle. I believe that that paper is an organ of Her Majesty's Government; but, however that may be, I conceive it to be my duty to refer to the leading article in it, simply for the purpose of exculpating myself. Let it be remembered that this is not the first time I have given it as my opinion that the monies would not be repaid. It will, per- 188> haps, be in the memory of many hon. Gentlemen, that at the time the votes were under consideration, I cautioned the House, and told it that I did not think it possible to repay the monies. I was not one of the Members who begged and entreated you to give money to any amount: far be it from me to do anything of the kind. I do not regard legislation here as if Ireland were a separate and distinct nation—such is not my opinion, political or social; and I trust that the feeling in favour of distinct legislation between the one country and the other is rapidly dying away. But there is only one course by which such a happy result can be attained, namely, by regarding every act of the House as an act which will injure the whole empire, if it injure any portion of the empire. The article in this paper is, I regret, in much the same style as the very flippant remarks of an hon. Gentleman opposite, who is desirous of selling, not only the whole property of Ireland, but the gentry of Ireland along with it. I utterly disregard such exceedingly jocose remarks. No doubt the editor of this paper may think it a very good joke, and may consider it possible to intimidate Members of this House from expressing their sentiments; but I utterly disregard such attempts. Many of my countrymen say that I stand alone in this House. I trust I do stand alone in the view I take of this question. God forbid that I should exaggerate the state of things in Ireland, and particularly in the county that I have the honour to represent! I trust that I may he under a delusion on this subject. I trust that it may be in the power of the country to pay this money, but I fear it is not so; and I sincerely believe that one-half of the money that has been spent in Ireland within the last twelve months might have been productive of greater benefit to the Irish poor, if properly expended, than has been effected by the entire. If these sentiments are not palatable, I am sorry for it, but they are my sincere conviction. I have no object in view in giving expression to my opinions. I am not an agitator. I never attend public meetings. I state my real sentiments, whatever they may be, as plainly as I can in this House; but beyond these walls I have not been in the habit of saying or of doing anything which in the most remote manner could prejudice the peace of the country or any of her interests. I trust, Sir, that I shall not have occasion to allude again to such attacks as 189 that which I have just mentioned. I do not wish to call further attention to it; and I conclude by observing that I am sure when the writer of it considers the subject better, he will see that he has done me an injustice.
§ Vote agreed to.
§ House resumed. Report to be received.