The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-29
Mr.. Butt. Definition of Home Rule.

Mr.. Butts Definition of Home Rule.
The FIRST number of our valuable con-
temporary, the Irish Tindicator, which we
trust will long survive to SOW the seeds OF
patriotism amongst our countrymen In
England, contains the following important
contribution to the literature of the Home
Rule question from the pen of MIR. Butt,
NJ. p:
| Ihave been asked by the managers OF
the Irish Vintlicator to supply to the nrse
number of their Journal BRIEF statement
al movement in Ireland. The question Is
frequently asked in England, what is meant
by the demand for " Federalism or the
equivalent cry of "Home Rule" which
has become watchword with the ifish
people.
Those who originated the movement
have repeatedly. and in the most distinct
manner, repudiated and disclaimed all In
tention of a separation from England or a
Siesire to withdraw Ireland from the au-
thority of the Crown on the contrary,
they assert that the Federal arrangement,
which they propose, would draw closer the
real bonds of union between the two ma
tions. These sentiments have been re-
, ceived by the Irish people with cordial,
and, am sure, an unfeigned assent.
The first and essential portion of the
. plan proposed for " Home Rule is, that
the Irish nation should have the power Of
managing all the internal affairs of Ireland.
We believe that these never can, and never
will be, well or satisfactorily managed by
, AZ parliament that does not represent the
, Irish nation. We ask for an Irish Parlia.
\ ment framed on the old constitutional
: plan, and we propose to leave to al the
orders of the State their constitutional
rights and privileges, including all the pre-
negatives which the constitution entrusts
to the SUverei gn.
= Another and equally essential part Of the
= plan of Federalism is that Ireland should.
n with England and Scotland, and the Deepen :
v deucies of Britain, be united iuto one
IS great Confederation, under one sovereign.
e aud not only under one sovereign, but with
\ one parliament guiding and directing all the
e resources of the Confederation, and manag-
n ing and controlling all it's external relations
lie and all it's imperial concerns.
s. For this purpose we propose To leave the
he i'm perial parliament exactly as it is-bu
g. We also propose that it should ahnndor
r. and give up tie power of legisla,inS ~
~ matters that affect only the internal ud
ar ministration Of Ireland, while it woul! lc
r tain all it's present poweis in matters at IN
ge perial concern. 1t wonld still regulate H.
u, army and the navy, and vote the supple
necessary for their maintenance. Wit
this power would follow, OF necessity, Una aa
of really controlling the Prerogative OF til
" Sovereign in all matters of peace and wa
~ and of the relations of the country VII
oo foreign States. All these matters would
ng authoritatively discussed in the parli'
oi ment, which had the power of providing
ie Withholding the imperial supplies. In IL
. nu same imperial parliament would alone
TO Vested the authority to deal with Indian ar
s!ss Colonial questions, and with questions
oIr fectipg the imperial government and Crow
~, We propose that for all these purposes lr
III land should still be represented in the IL
'u. perial parliament, having voice In .
az grand council Of the empire, and bound
tIa she is now by it's decisions.
the There is no real difficulty In adjns
the details of such an arrangement. The
AGH NAV be questions which may be said
he ON the border line which separa
PRO. imperial and local concerns. But they
1T in few and easily capable of adjustment.
rcb. ali events, thep do not affect the princi
sary of a Federal union, which is, that !rel'
@ to should have the power OF managing
oub- purely Irish concerns under the const
essns. tionai control of the Sovereign, while il
imperial concerns she should be bound
the decisions of a parliament represen
MI the three nations.
ed to such federal unions are as old as
,titu- oassities of confederation between c,
rs is tries. They lhave existed, aud are e.
tuteu ing, under all forms of government.
IL IN Republics of America and Switzerland
lis OF considerations of republican States, co
and h;oh aXarciees sovereipn powers i
own internal affairs. Austria and Hun
are united in one Empire, with indel
eased ent constitutions. Sweden and No
o., of are independent countries united
to es- one crown. Germany has under GIN
Fdaco. forms of empire or confederation pres
order through her history union of 81
ent of character.