The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-12-03
THE FUTURE OF IRISH HONE RULE.
Boston Pilot.)

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It is we'll known to our readers that two
different projects of Home Rule, each ad
vocated by its party, occupy the minds o.
the Irish people Ooe of these is simple
repeal of the act of Union; its chief, almost
its sole supporter is Mr.. P. j. Smyth. The
other system proposes a separate legisla-
tion for Ireland that should act in couso-
nance with the Imperial House of Com
mons. rms ls the measure known as Home
huIe, ana lts advocates are Mr.. Butt and
che home Rale party. That the former
or simple Repeal, measure is impossible,
must De plain to any one'who recoliects that
1t would throw Ireland back to the status
OF leOO, undo the work of the Emancipa-
ton and other relief Acts; and render a Ca
tholic unfit to ait in Parliament. 1t would
in fact convoke two houses of Protestants
to govern a nation four fiftbs of wbcm are
Catholics.
Home Rule supposes simple Repeal and
more 1t proposes such a federal arrange
msht as would secure to Ireland legislation,
freedom, and the consideration of her pres
ent and future interests. The points on
which the Irish statesmen of to day demand
reform on the Education, Land, and Tax
Laws. England herself enjoys denomipa
tional education, ireland justly demands it.
The preservation of the faith by which she
has held 80 firmly for three centuries of
persecution demands that the bulk of the
people should have q system OF religious
training In accordance with their religious
convictions. Moreover the Irish teachers
are far worse paid than those of Scotland,
and receive, other things equal, less than
half the salary of English teachers. On the
all-important land measure much remains
to be done. 1t ia true Mr.. Butts Land Bill
removed some causes of com plant, and ob-
tained some important concessions for
tenants but it is equally true that land
lords with lands to let, and full purses, can
TT va in knno hor- c,o
quitious leases with needy and hard pushed
tenants.
In this connection a remark able case
was exposed in q recent trial for shoot
ing at landlord named Cusack in Dub
lin. 1t was admitted by tie witne SO,
only the legal rent but about double
that amount besides as a penal rent to
be forfeited if the rent was not paid
exactly on the day fixed. This arrant
rascal, in the face of the land laws, de-
manded and received his pound of flesh;
Nor is it wonderful that he was shot at |
On the subject of taxes too, Ireland is |
treated with exceptional injustice. Grattan
ruly said that "a country which has lost |!
ts liberties has lost also it's reverence"
The revenue of Ireland is miserably
small as compared with that of Eoglaud, |
but of this che is compelled to pay one
fourth in taxes while England pays but
one tenth of hers.
To obtain these important reforms
demands years, and energies, and a |
united party. To be successful that party |
must have the solid support of the Irish
people. 1t is painful to reflect that the
popular party is at present split into three
actions, the existence of any one of which
8 fatal to the success of either of the
'thers. The policy which is considered
moderate in Dublin is sedition in Belfast
he principles which are tabooed in West
meath are applauded in Tipperary. Be-
ore Home Rule can effect anything some
nan or men must reconcile these jarrine
!ements; must evolve harmony out Of
iscord must, in fact, repeat the early la
ors of O'Connell.