Preface to Annals, Anecdotes, etc., of the Itish Parliament.

Preface

As the General Election has once more placed Mr. Gladstone as Prime Minister, and that great statesman having already shown his desire to restore to Ireland the Parliament which a combination of circumstances deprived her of at the beginning of the present century, I have endeavoured in the following pages to trace the annals of the Irish Parliaments, and to show how their independence was restricted by Poynings’ Law, - again by the English statute 6 George I., - and, having gained freedom and independence in 1782; how, in the warning words of Dr. Johnson, they were robbed by the Union. Addressing an Irishman, the sturdy English author said: “Do not make a Union with us, sir; we would unite with you only to rob you.”

‘I desire emphatically to state that the cry of Separation is wholly untrue. That cry is raised by the party who, regarding themselves as entitled to the monopoly, which they have long possessed, of the patronage, places, and profits of all offices, seek by this cry to defeat Home Rule. So far from Separation, we claim as of right our fair share in the benefits possessed by the Empire gained by Irish as well as British statesmanship, in which my own kinsman, the Right Hon. Edmund Burke, acted no small part - an Empire increased by Irish bravery and cemented by Irish blood. We are - many of us, like my - linked to Great Britain by the dearest and nearest ties of affection and friendship, to say nothing of worldly profit and intercourse. Surely every reflecting mind must be aware that in no empire in the world do all classes possess equal liberty with that conferred by the British Constitution; and while as Irishmen we desire the right to manage our own affairs in our native Parliament, we remain loyal and faithful subjects of our Gracious Queen.

As for the other cry raised to frighten ignorant people, and for party purposes, that Home Rule means Catholic Ascendancy, it is as groundless as the bugbear of Separation. I have shown the utmost toleration prevailed in Ireland during the reigns of Queen Mary and James II., and I rejoice to say no educated and enlightened Protestant in Ireland has any fears on the subject.

The friendly intercourse between England and Ireland has dispelled many former prejudices. This is so plain, that the result of the recent General Election has convinced the great body of the electors of Great Britain that the time has at length arrived when the affairs of Ireland may be entrusted to Irishmen, and thereby enable the members of the British Parliament to devote their time to British legislation.

In the Appendix will be found the ceremonies which took place at the openings of the Irish Parliaments, the mode of proceeding during the session, and descriptions of the Houses of Lords and Commons, with many traditions of the Irish Parliaments, which may be useful when the people of Ireland enjoy Home Rule.

Trusting that day is not remote, and the course of events may show the wisdom of the measure, I submit my work to the public.

J. Roderick O’Flanagan,

Avondhu Grange, Fermoy.

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