The Speeches (In Full) of the Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., and William O'Brien, M.P., on Home Rule, Delivered in Parliament, Feb. 16 and 17, 1888.

"The Speeches (In Full) of the Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., and William O'Brien, M.P., on Home Rule, Delivered in Parliament, Feb. 16 and 17, 1888," is a collection of political speeches published in the late 19th century. This work captures a significant moment in British-Irish relations, focusing on the contentious issue of Home Rule for Ireland as articulated by two prominent figures of the time. The speeches highlight the deep political divide regarding governance in Ireland, underscoring themes of national identity, rights, and the complexities of colonial rule. The opening portion of this collection introduces the arguments presented by W. E. Gladstone, who critiques the government's handling of the Home Rule question and aims to address the complexities involved in the relationship between Britain and Ireland. He emphasizes the need for honest discussion surrounding pivotal issues such as public meetings, landlord-tenant relations, and the treatment of political prisoners, framing these matters as rooted in the broader aspirations for Irish self-governance. Gladstone stresses the importance of recognizing the legitimate national aspirations of Ireland while defending his stance against accusations and misrepresentations from opposing members of Parliament. His remarks pave the way for the evolving political landscape of Ireland, setting the stage for the subsequent speech by William O'Brien, who focuses on the failures of the government to suppress the Irish response to the coercive measures enacted against them. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Ewart Gladstone was a British statesman and Liberal Party politician. In a career lasting over 60 years, he was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for 12 years, spread over four non-consecutive terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894. He also was Chancellor of the Exchequer four times, for over 12 years. Apart from 1845 to 1847, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1832 to 1895 and represented a total of five constituencies.