The story of Scotland from the earliest times to the present century .. . a brave and noble race were about tobarter away their glorious inheritance. Though the outside pressure against the Union wasstrong and bitter, the Government was prepared tomeet it. The Church threw her influence on the sideof the Government. Still it seemed that the mass ofpopular feeling was with the opposition, and Parlia-ment proceeded with its arduous work amid threaten-ing circumstances. On the 12th of October, the articles of the treatywere read one by one, and then discussed at thesittings from the 12th to the 3
The story of Scotland from the earliest times to the present century .. . a brave and noble race were about tobarter away their glorious inheritance. Though the outside pressure against the Union wasstrong and bitter, the Government was prepared tomeet it. The Church threw her influence on the sideof the Government. Still it seemed that the mass ofpopular feeling was with the opposition, and Parlia-ment proceeded with its arduous work amid threaten-ing circumstances. On the 12th of October, the articles of the treatywere read one by one, and then discussed at thesittings from the 12th to the 30th of the month,suggestions being made from time to time, butno divisions taken. The first real effort of theopposition was made on the 4th of November,when it was moved that a vote should be takenon the first article of the Treaty of Union. Along debate ensued. The Duke of Hamiltondelivered an animated speech on Scotch nation-ality. Seton of Pitmedden spoke in favour of theUnion in a calm and well-reasoned address. Butthe great speech of the night was Lord LORD BELHAVEN.(^Painter- iiiiknown.) 258 THE REVOLUTION AND THE UNION. It was a torrent of fierce rhetoric delivered withvehemence against the Union. It produced littleimpression on the members, but it was intended morefor the outside public than for them, and was widelycirculated. A sentence or two may be quoted :— I see the English constitution remaining firm ; thesame Houses of Parliament ; the same taxes, customs,and excise ; the same trading companies, laws, andjudicatures ; whilst ours are either subjected to newregulations, or are annihilated for ever. And forwhat ? that we may be admitted to the honour ofpaying their old arrears, and presenting a few witnessesto attest the new debts, which they may be pleased tocontract. Good God ! is this an entire surrender ?My heart bursts with indignation and grief, at thetriumph which the English will obtain to-day, over afierce and warlike nation that has struggl
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1890
