The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-11-02
AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
The Irish world, in an article on-tlt
probability OF war in Europe, has tax
following.
Well, suppose Britain is thus terced
to ight-wkat then? What effect viii
it have on the fate and fortunes oflre
land? The answer will depend in 8
great measure on Ireland's sympathizers
in America. This much IS certain
Should Russia and England come te
blows, an "opportunity" will be at hanc
which no man can hope to see repeated
within the lifetime OF a generation
The movement to take advantage OF II
must find its inception and sustenance il
the United States. Work should there
fore be the motto. Friends and help car
be found in plenty, if we ourselves are
only seen to be in earnest. Should this
long brayed for opportunity arrive ano
find us unprepared, we may at once fur
the flag and hold our peace for half q
century to come!
ireland has plenty of sympathizers in
America, true ones too and the Irish
World is right in its view when itsays
"should Russia and England come to
blows an opportunity" will be at hand
which no man can hope to see repeated
within the life time Of generation
nevertheless we do not think that the
Irish iu this country win be prepared, to
~ avail them
selves of the opportunity should it come.
Our reason for forming this opinion is
that there is no unity that we can
perceive, in behalf of Ireland, in this
country.
The nationaiists, who are decidedly
right in their idea that nothing can he
got from England unless what is forced
from her, who are also right in their
principle that we should force nothing
more or less than Ireland from England's
bloody grasp, have most stupii way OF
knocking their heads against the CathOl-
church, and leaving themselves open
o the censure OF Catholic priests. some OF
le latter, no doubt, have no interest in
re cause OF Ireland or are in a measure
hostile to it but the great majority of the
irish Cat Ole priesthood are. in their
way, just as 10y al to Ireland as the most
ardent nationallsts. But we are not dise
-,ussing this point? loyal or disloyal, pa
riotic or imp .triotic the stup idity which
,ntangles the nationalist in any quarrel
With the Catholic church or its ministers,
wicked and amazing.
Then again We have the conservative
rish men as we may call them. Why
ct the opportunity come to morrow, and
Wills the nationalist are calling upon
heir country men to arouse to action the
conservatives will be telling these same
'ouutry men that the nationalist are a
pack OF mad, unprincipled rascals. And
doing this the conservative Irishman
.vill deem that he is fulfilling his whole
uty 10 Ireland.
1t is the old story sung by the poet.
And while our enemies Joined in hate,
We never joined in love-"
We have in our humble way advoca>
sd the bringing about of harmony be-
ween Irish men, holding, at present, dit
erent views and thinking badly of one
mother, more from want OF proper
knowledge OF each other than any real
Inference.
We would. if possible bring tncm
ogether and placing Ireland in the cen>
re ask themto clasp hands around her.
We have no doubt that Ireland's oppor-
unity is drawing nigh, still less do we
oubs that unless unity can be brought
bout between leading bodies OF Irish
oen in this country, the opportunity will
q lost.