The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell Vol - I

MT. 35] THE QUEEN'S SPEECH 267
lias paralysed alike the exercise of private rights and the performance of civil duties. In a state of things new in some important respects, and hence with little available guidance from former precedent, I have deemed it right steadily to put in use the ordinary powers of the law before making any new demand. But a demonstration of their insufficiency, amply supplied by the present circumstances, leads me now to apprise you that proposals will be immediately submitted to you for entrusting me with additional powers, necessary, in my judgment, not only for the vindication of order and public law, but likewise to secure, on behalf of my subjects, protection for life and property/
Thus the Queen's Speech.
Parnell prepared for action. The Government might, he said, carry their coercive measures, but it would be only after a struggle which they should never forget.
In the thick of the fight he cabled to the ' Irish World': ' The fight the Irish members are making for the liberties of the people is inspiring and strengthening every Irishman. "We are now in the thick of the conflict. The present struggle against coercion will, please God, be such as never has been seen within the walls of Parliament/
The' Times' once said that Parnell might prophesy with safety, because he had the power of fulfilling his prophecies. This particular prophecy was at all events fulfilled to the letter. In 1833 there was a memorable struggle over Grey's Coercion Bill. Then the debate on the Address lasted five nights, the debate on the first reading six nights, the debate on the second reading two nights, and six nights were spent in committee. That record was now beaten. In 1881