Johann Georg Eccarius
Record of Karl Marx's speech
at the meeting of the General Council,

November 23, 1869

Reynolds's Newspaper.
Nr. 1007, 28. November 1869

… Dr. Marx said Mr. Mottershead had given a history of Mr. Gladstone; he
could give another; but that had nothing to do with the question before the
council. Castlereagh, in private life, had been as good a man as Gladstone, and
he had used the same language towards the Irish as Mr. Gladstone. He repeated
that political prisoners were not treated anywhere as bad as in England. His
resolution was not intended to release the prisoners. The Irish themselves had
given that up. It was to express sympathy with the Irish, and review the conduct
of the Government. At present the Government had to contend with the opposition of the Times, the Saturday Review, &c. A bold step on the part of the
working people might tend to strengthen Mr. Gladstone to overcome obstructions. The question was which was most important—to conciliate the Irish, or
make the resolution acceptable to Mr. Gladstone. ...

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