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v TheSucces-sof Radicalis-m I The advisers in the Irish Privy Council had been unanimous in agreeing on the manner in which the opening session of the House of Commons should be conducted, and even the pessimistic Beresford was confident of suecess .' When the Speech from the Throne had been read, Sir Robert Tilson Deane, a pro-Government member, proposed an Address to the King of an innocuous nature which was duly seconded, and then the blow fell; Grattan rose to his feet and with all the great oratorical power at his command, poured forth the violence that had been building up for a year. He demanded to know why the Speech from the Throne was intended to quiet the minds of the people, why did it not make a declaration in answer to the addresses of the people demanding a free trade? Were the people of Ireland undeserving of the notice of British Ministers? 168 v I The advisers in the Irish Privy Council had been unanimous in agreeing on the manner in which the opening session of the House of Commons should be conducted, and even the pessimistic Beresford was confident of success .! When the Speech from the Throne had been read, Sir Robert Tilson Deane, a pro-Government member, proposed an Address to the King of an innocuous nature which was duly seconded, and then the blow fell; Grattan rose to his feet and with all the great oratorical power at his command, poured forth the violence that had been building up for a year. He demanded to know why the Speech from the Throne was intended to quiet the minds of the people, why did it not make a declaration in answer to the addresses of the people demanding a free trade? Were the people of Ireland undeserving of the notice of British Ministers? 168 THE SUCCESS OF RADICALISM 169 Why didn't the servants of the Crown in Ireland speak out? Were the distresses of Ireland of so private a nature as not to be mentioned? After this rhetorical outburst, Grattan went on to describe the distresses as two-fold-the poverty and wretchedness of the people, and the bankruptcy of the state. The former was the result of an unfavorable balance of trade and the drain of absentees, but was caused, above all, by the commercial restrictions, particularly the prohibition on the export of woollen cloth. The country owed its present existence to the non-importation associations, but something more permanent and effectual was needed. The bankruptcy of the state was the result of a "system of boundless prodigality, profligacy and violence." The peace establishment of Ireland amounted to one-sixth that of England, but was much too extravagant for her resources -an establishment that consisted of "infamous pensions to infamous men" (here, we are informed by the newspapers, Grattan "launched into personalities," though the reports do not mention the names of the victims). He had already declared. that the servants of the Crown were the representatives of the people, and now, after the attack on the "infamous pensions to infamous men," he demanded to know: "Will those men whom we pay, vote against an extension of our trade?" Ireland then, he concluded, had nothing to expect-no redress of grievances, no extension of trade-but from the efforts and spirit of her own people. Why had the House of Commons less courage than the people? Would it be wise or politic for the Government to oppose the people here or elsewhere, "Will it be SAFE?" In a House that was electrified by this direct appeal to the populace, to opinion outside parliament, he proposed an amendment to the Address to the King to the effect THE SUCCESS OF RADICALISM 169 Why didn't the servants of the Crown in Ireland speak out? Were the distresses of Ireland of so private a nature as not to be mentioned? After this rhetorical outburst, Grattan went on to describe the distresses as two-fold-the poverty and wretchedness of the people, and the bankruptcy of the state. The former was the result of an unfavorable balance of trade and the drain of absentees, but was caused, above all, by the commercial restrictions, particularly the prohibition on the export of woollen cloth. The country owed its present existence to the non-importation associations, but something more permanent and effectual was needed. The bankruptcy of the state was the result of a "system of boundless prodigality, profligacy...

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