The most important part, however, of Mr. Goschen's speech was
his very weighty reference to the Irish question. If ever partial Home-rule were to be established in Ireland, he was anxious to know what kind of laws the Home-rulers were to be permitted to pass :—" Supposing they were to enact a law of this kind, ' Whereas judicial rents were fixed at a time when produce was 20 per cent. higher than it is now, be it hereby enacted that these rents be reduced by 50 per cent.' Well, is that a home affair, or is it an Imperial affair ? Do the Irish demand that they should be allowed to pass measures of this kind without the interference of the English Parliament ?" There is no half-way house, Mr. Goschen explained, between union and disunion. What the Irish want is fall power to do what we English believe to be gross social and moral injustice to a class entitled to the protection of Parliament, and it is simply impossible for us to concede that without dishonour to ourselves. At least, this is the judgment which we believe to be implied in Mr. Goschen's criticism.
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