In all the speech there was not one
trace of the bitterness that must often have corroded that poor soul
during the nine years of living death--even the allusions to political
opponents of to-day were kindly and gentle. Above all things, the speech
was one--not merely of an Irish Nationalist, but of a true Democrat--as
desirous of the happiness of other nationalities and other peoples as of
his own. It was while every part of the House was listening to this
beautiful and touching speech, that a gentleman called Brookfield--one
of the most offensive of the narrow and malignant section of
Tories--rose and tried to trip Davitt up, by alleging that he was
reading his speech. I am told that Mr. Balfour sprang in anger from his
seat--there was a significant and a pained silence on the Tory
Benches--there was a loud shout of anger and disgust from the Liberal
and the Irish seats--with William O'Brien's voice shouting hoarsely
above the tempest, "The party of gentlemen!" The Speaker showed what he
thought, in that deadly quiet way with which he can administer a snub,
that will never be forgotten. It was all that was wanted to complete the
success of this wonderful speech.
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