The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-21
me Conference.
.IDublin Nation, Nov. % /

r. Z 7f1s : me- Conference.
.IDablin Nation, Nov. 2sI r
The National Conference is an event
which, prom ising 40 it does to exercise o
permanent infoence on political action in
ireland, deserves more than passing con.
alteration. It has given to the Irish PEG.
pie new bond of union and q fresh in
centive to exertieD, and to the Irish cause
increased vitality and vigour. 1t has
brought together and harmonised the best
and most powerful elements of popular
agitation, and it has confuted, if it has not
silenced, the slanderers of the Irish char
acter. As Mr.. Butt observed with pardon
able pride as its close, the proceedings
more than realized the warmest expecta-
tions of Irishmen, while they bitterly dis
appointed the malignant expectations of
our enemies. Whatever may be the future
before Ireland, the meeting Of last week
brightest and most creditable episodes in
it's history 1t has shown that Irishmen
possess the qualities of deliberative wis
dom, judicial calmness, and political sta
bility, at q time when onr capacity for self
government was most question: I'D. 1t has
self-control, just when the demonstration
was most requisite. But it has done more
than this. 1t has given to the Irish peo-
pie definite plan of action and an unam-
biguous and practicable programme ii has
placed the issue between the government
form and it enables our countrymen to
take up the old struggle with the con-
seriousness of increased moral power and
the certainty of not far distant success.
Prominent amongst the solid results of
the Conference is the formal, deliberate,
settlement with which the labors Of the
Home Government Association have fami-
liarised the country. The Federal pro-
gramme is now ratified by the assent of the
Irish people, and to that proposal, if it be
duly acceded to, the sanction of the nation
Conference, most of them distinguished by
their services, whose predictions leaut in
favor of o different arrangement. The ad-
vocates of Simple Repeal included many
of the most illustrious names on the bead
roll of Irish patriotism. But their patriot
their readiness to waive their own prefer
ences in Difference to the views of the ma
jority, and to unite heartily with their
countrymen on the platform which pro-
misses to combine them all. In the Fed
eral plan they recognize settlement which
honest Irishmen can accept without dis
paragement, aud which would restore to
the country substantially all that is claim
ed by Repeater, while comforting on her
other advantages unclaimed for her before.
They see in it an honorable solution of the
difficulty which has SO long baffled the ex-
Irish people. They believe it to be practi-
cable as we'll as satisfactory, and they are
alive to the importance of supporting
plan of action, which, while abandoning
nothing of M oment, attracts to it the assist
auce of classes and sections whom it would
with the people. For all these reasons
Federalism is adopted to-day as the de.
mand of the Irish people, and through
these considerations the support of every
section Of nationalists will be given to the
Home Rule League. sBut in accepting it
the country valves nothing Of her ancient
or constitutional rights, and reserves to
herself, in the event of an unsatisfactory
reply, the fullest freedom of action. We
are willing to accept this settlement, should
the offer be fairly responded to, and to
abide by it loyalty and faithfully. But it
amicable adjustment that the sacrifice of
feeling which many find involved in it is
made. The condition of the concession
made by thousands in agreeing to this pro-
posal is its prompt acceptance by England;
and We may here repeat what has often
never again can .Euglishmen hope to have
SO advantageous an opportunity of settling
the Irish quarrel. It Ia now in their power,
by frank and friendly arrangement, to
remove the cause of weakness which par
alyses their action abroad and presents
continual danger to their peace at home.
The terms are liberal, but, rejected once,
they are little likely to be repeated. The
offer is made "without prejudice" and
without the abandonment of single right
to which the Irish nation can lay claim.
rv: the proDnt removal Of the sscievances
which are sappipg the life blood of their
country, 1rishmen are prepared to make
coccessions; but they conccde nothing to
arrogant opposition and brutal resistance.
The time may come Wbsp what Mr Disraeli
calls .the visor of Home Rule" will drop
from the face of Ireland, but if it does the
cause will be found not in Irish insincerity,
but in the stupidity and sEort-sighted ness
ness Of English statesmen.
The Common Council have appointed Messrs.
Schneider and Trunbull, to q committee Of tho
Upper City Railroad Company in relation to the right
Of way asked by the Company. We have no doubt the