HC Deb 08 July 1887 vol 317 cc225-6
MR. W. O'BEIEN (Cork Co., N.E.)

I should like to raise a matter in the nature of a personal explanation. The hon. and gallant Member for North Armagh (Colonel Saunderson) read a quotation last night from a speech of mine at Cork, and proceeded to state, after reading the quotation, that I spoke in a different sense, and I think in a contrary sense, before a Cork audience to the tone of my remarks in London. I had not any report of my speech at hand at the moment, but I have had an opportunity since of obtaining one; and, as I think the imputation of the hon. and gallant Gentleman hurtful and unjust, I shall ask leave of the House to read one or two sentences from what I said at Cork. I quote from The Freeman's Journal of June 20— We are for conciliation with the English people. I say it here to-night before one of the most extreme audiences that could he assembled in Ireland, we are for conciliation, without one mental reservation, or without one thought of bitterness or vengeance for the past. I do not fear to say that before every Irish audience in America, and your cheers tell me I need not fear to repeat it here to-night. We long for conciliation, and the hand of friendship of Sir. Gladstone and the democracy of England stretched out to-day if grasped to-day by the whole Irish race throughout the world. Yes; it is easy to conciliate us to-day, hut it is impossible to subdue us now or ever. I will now leave the House to judge what truth there is in the allegation that I speak with one voice in Cork and with another voice in this House.