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Full text of "The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell Vol - I"

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282                CHARLES  STEWART PA11NELL             [1881
again the decision of the Speaker was the signal for Whig and Tory expressions of triumph and exultation. But these manifestations of feeling did not disconcert the sturdy Celt, who was now full of fight and quite indifferent to consequences.
'I thank you, Mr. Speaker/ he said, 'but I wish further to ask yoix if it is not a fact that the ruling of the Chair has been challenged on the instant ?'
The great crisis in the contest had now clearly arrived. The answer of the Speaker to this question would manifestly decide the issue, and it was accordingly awaited with much anxiety. ' The lion, member/ said the Speaker, ' asks me a question which at the present moment I am not able to answer without searching for precedents.' No Whig or Tory cheer greeted these words, but a ringing shout of triumph broke from the Irish benches, which was repeated again and again as Mr. Sullivan rose and, waving his hand in the direction of his countrymen, essayed to speak, but in vain, for the plaudits of the Home liulers rendered all sounds save their own cheers inaudible. At length, the cheers gradually subsiding and complete silence having for a moment supervened, Mr. Sullivan, raising his voice to its highest pitch and speaking with great deliberation and firmness, said: 1 Then, sir, in order that you may have time to search for precedents I shall conclude with a motion/ This declaration was received with another outburst of Irish applause, which was not in the least checked—but perhaps rather stimulated—by the rising of the Speaker. When order was restored, the Speaker, looking grave and serious, said : ' I caution the hon. member that if he proposes to move the adjournment of the House with a view of calling in question what was done this morning