Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 5.djvu/178

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS

of Lords ; but in any case it will be final ; there- fore there can by no possibility be two sets of courts — one set in Ireland and another in Eng- land — continuing to give contradictory decisions. I admit that the system under this Bill is com- plicated. It can not be otherwise, for the com- plication is in the facts with which we have to deal.

But, sir, there is another class of instances — > what I may call the negative influences — fur- nished us by modern Europe where nations have had this problem presented to them, and where they have shrunk from grappling fairly with it. When confronted by disaffection due to un- satisfied national sentiment, they have refused to recognize and give legitimate scope to that sentiment. What has been the consequence ? Do honorable members recollect that for some years before 1830 there was a constant struggle going on between Holland and Belgium ? The Belgians demanded some recognition of their nationality, some separate institutions for Belgium; but the Dutch, in their national pride, refused. In 1830 the Parisian Revolution fanned the embers into flame. The Belgians rose; Holland remained obstinate; and at last, because she had refused moderate concessions, she lost Belgium alto- gether. The same is the moral of the relations between Denmark and the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. During many years the German population of these Duchies continued to plead for a due recognition of their difference from 152

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