The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-30


Soberly and earnestly and long they dis-
; cussed and debated and deliberated. The
Imen, seemed thoroughly to realize the
not claim shy representative character
whateyeEj they spoke each man for him
self The questiCns they had proposed to
discuss dealt merely with "absenteeism
and the consequent loss Of trade and ma
tional prosperity and ssshe advantages of
o royal residence in ireland 10 political
and financial point OF view Bat In the
very fret moments Of discussion even the
new converts to nationality took up holder
ground. Lord Mayor Purdon, . Protestant
In Dublin Sir William Wilde husband of
the Young Ireland poetess "Spcranza"),
an Archaeological of European fame; the
Hon. Capt. King Hartman and the Rev. j.
E. Galbraitb, fellow of Trinity College,
| one of the most distinguished mathenati-
clans of the age. were amongst the men of
conservative politics who came especially
to the front. The nationalist, both " ex-
treme" and moderate" interfered but
| little in the discussions, looking on greatly
but their part of the case was well handled
by the man who was really the guiding
spirit of the scene, and who eventually rose
and In brief speech of thrilling power
"That it is the opinion of this meeting
| that the true remedy for the evils of Ireland
| is the establishment of an Irish parliament
with full control over our domestic affairs"
dozen men rose to second this resolu-
ton of MI. Butt, which was carried in the
voice, but with enthusiasm. Considering the
composition of the Assem- blage, this was
one of the most startling incidents in Irish
politics for half century. Having ap--
pointed committee to report resolutions
to q future meeting, the assembly adjourn
ed.
This was the birth of the Home Rule
movement. ra s
Tho course of procedure adopted, fol
lowing upon the above events, was one
quite unique in Irish politics. Usually the
promoters in such cases would hold q meet
ing as 1--WE the people of Ireland" and begin
to act and speak in the name ofthe country.
Not only was this line of conduct eschewed,
| it was expressly repudiated, by the semi
private society or association which at fret
grew out of the Billion Hotel meeting. 1t
was only four months afterwards list of
Sept. l970) that they 'ventured to assume
public form or shape as political organiza-
ton. During all this interval they an
nounced themselves simply as a number of
frishmen associated together in all endea
| vor to ascertain the feeling of the country
upon the subject OF national autonomy.
They had Themselves arrived at certain
general conclusions or resolutions there
after to be noticed), but they declared they
could not arrogate to themselves any right
or authority to speak for the nation at large.
When at length they broke ground and took
the field pubiicly az the "lrish Home Gov
eminent Association" they still disclaimed
the right to assume the authoritative func
lions or tone of great national organiza-
tion.s That would come at the right time,
if the country thought well of calling forth
such body but this was at best q sort of
precursor society" projecting certain
views, and submitting them to public OK
animation by the people, with the avow cd
intention on the part of these precursors
of some day, if they found encouragement
for their cause, calling on the country to
pass its deliberate and decisive verdict
upon those views, so that ireland, the ma
ton, might speak, and, speaking, command
obedience from all loyal and faithful sons.
This was all Butts sagacity. FestinG
lente was the motto that befitted work 80
grave and momentous as an effort to lift
Ireland up and bid her hope and strive
once more. There was heed of this DELHI
| GRAFTON and caution. The experiment of
| brin gipg together such elements az he gath
cred around this new venture was hsZar-
dous one. There were prejudices to be
allayed, objections to be removed, anti
| pathies to be conquered. VIGOROUSLY there
we're men who wanted not to go very far on
a road 80 new TO them, and whom q very
little bit indeed of self government would
satisfy. just as VIGOROUSLY were there
uleu WIZ "0uIeO W So d SEodt uedi iuEbnoI
than they could get the rest of their coun
trymen TO join them in attempting. These
two sectiOns-the Protestant loyalists and
the Fenian observation-disclosures the most
widely opposed. Then there were men Of
the cold Ireland school and men of the
" Young Ireland" school-men who OBJ
jected to "repeal" as worthless without
the add tion of q separate and responsible
Irish administration; and men who objected
to repeal as dangerous without stronger
guarantees against conflict and separation
of the kingdoms.
John Webster. Monkstown. Prot Cons.
George F. shaw, F.r.C.D., Trinity College, Prot
Coma
| p. j. Smyth Oakley, Cath. Nat Repealer.
| Geo. L. Stephens Blackhal Place, Prot Cons.
Henry n. Stewart. MD Eccles street Prot. Cons.
L. j. OShea, Up, Margaret Place, Cath. Rep.
Alfred Webb Abbey street, Nat. Quaker"
A"Ths association has proposed to itself the
position and duties Of such great popular organization
must eventually take and carry to the vctoi