Page:Perils of home rule.djvu/6

4 in the first place I will say a few words upon what is said about the

DISINTEGRATION OF THE EMPIRE. The constitution—if it is to be so called— which it is proposed to force on us will necessarily be a monster of weakness—(hear, hear)—in one sense. (Applause.) Let me quote to you language which may fairly be called prophetic. It comes from one who used to be thought a great authority by the Liberal Party. They are the words which were uttered by Lord Macaulay—then Mr. Macaulay—on 6th February, 1833. I believe, though I have not looked closely into it, that it must have been in answer to some observation by Mr. O'Connell, which seemed to some an arrangement of the present kind as a possible solution of the situation. What Macaulay said was this—"This dual business was like the twins of Siam in some remarkable points. Each man was the constant plague of the other. (Laughter.) Each was always in the other's way. They were more helpless than most other people, because they had twice the number of hands. (Hear, hear.) They were slower than other people because they had twice the number of legs. Sympathizing only in evil, not tasting each other's pleasures, not supported by each other's ailments, but tormented by each other's infirmities, and certain to perish by each other's dissolution." (Applause.) This prophecy is different from others in the fact that it was entirely and punctually fulfilled. Now, it does not need very much:argument to show that a constitution of this kind must, as our resolution says, effect the dismemberment of the Empire, and lead to the lowering of the influence and position of the Empire at large. (Hear, hear.) It is impossible to respect anything that is

NOT RESPECTABLE. It is impossible to honour anything not honourable, and no rational man could possibly respect or honour the Empire under the baneful power of a constitution like this. (Hear, hear.) There is no safe element in it—no element of finality. Finality,