HOME RULE. The title chosen to define time object of a political organization in Ireland, and of the party in the British parliament representing that organization. The discouragement among the extreme Irish agitators which followed the suppression of the Fenian rising in 1807 opened the way for those who favored more constitutional methods of asserting the claims of the Irish people. The disestablishment of the church inclined many Protestant conservatives to co-operate with politicians of this stamp. At a meeting held in the 13ilton hotel, Dublin, on May 19,1870, preSided over by the lord-mayor, a Protestant conservative, and attended by prominent conservatives, Orangemen, Catholic liberals, nationalists, repcalers, and Fenians, a resolution was adopted " that the true remedy for the evils in Ireland is the establishment of an Irish par liament with full control over our domestic affairs." An organization entitled " The Home Government Association of Ireland" was formed, the object of which was stated in the rules to lie to obtain for the country the right of managing, its own affairs by a parliament assembled in Ireland, which should legislate for and regulate all matters relating to the internal affairs of Ireland, and have control over Irish resources and revenues, subject to the obligation of contributing a jest proportion of the imperial expenditure. Such matters as the adjustment of relations with foreign states, colonies, and dependencies, and the defense of the empire, were to be left to the imperial legis lature; and the new adjustment of the relations between the two countries was to be attained "without any interference with the prerogatives of the crown, or any disturb ance of the principles of theconstitution." This programme, according to these who put it forth, was at once less and more than the repeal which O'Connell had demanded. It implied a surrender of any Irish claim to control imperial supplies, but demanded responsible Irish administration. Mr. Butt. q.c., who had become popular through his exertions in defense of the Fenian conspirators, and who had since been president of the amnesty association, took the lead of the new movement, which showed its strength in 1871 by carrying its candidates at by-elections for Meath, Galway, and W estmeath counties, and for Limerick borough, where .Mr. Butt was returned unopposed. In 1842
the association continued to gain influence, and adopted "Home Rule" as its watch word. In Nov., 1873, a national conference was held in Dublin: it was attended by 900 delegates from all parts of Ireland. The home government association was dissolved. and a new organization, entitled the home-rule league, which took its place, adopted the programme of the older body without important alteration. At the general election in Feb., 1874, the home rulers carried 00 seats. In the following month the movement first asserted itself in parliament. Mr. Butt moved an amendment to the address. expressing dissatisfaction with the existing system of government in Ireland. In his speech he defined home rule as leaving the management of all exclusively Irish affairs to an Irish parliament, and ho asked that constitutional self-government should he con ceded to his country. The aineudment was rejected by 314 to 50. In the th•ee.follow ing 'scissions is motion for a committee to inquire into the causes of Irish discontent was brought forward, but on each occasion defeated by a large majority. Symptoms of disagreement soon appeared in the house-rule party itself. Mr. Butt favored a policy of incessantly proposing reforms in the details of Irish legislation, while also urging ou parliament the general objects of the party. The more extreme section, of which maj. Nolan and Mr. C. S. Parnell soon came to be recognized as leaders, regarded this as too moderate a plan of campaign, and devoted themselves to the task of rendering the imperial parliament unable to discharge its functions by the dexterous use of the method of obstruction. Stormy confereuces of the home-rule league were held Ot Dublin in 1870 and subsequently. Mr. Butt nominally retained the leadership, but it was evident that a strong section of the party approved Mr. Parnell's tactics, anti by the beginning of 1878. the control of parliamentary action and of the movement generally had passed out of the hands of Mr. Butt, whose death, early in 1879, may be said to have marked the close of the original and more moderate phase of the home-rule agitation.