The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-16
TIE IRIsH MEETINGS IN ENGLAND.
Dublin Nation, Aug IS }

The conduct of the Irish In England In
the present crisis is we'll worthy the stten-
tiOn of their fellow countrymen in Ireland.
We will 60 farther, and say that it is well
worthy of imitation. Here we have all TO
lameut what at frat sight appears to be
general apathy in political matters, but on
closer examination is found to DO simply
the result of lack Of organization for politi-
cal purposes. On important occasions-as,
! for instance, when an election comes round,
and when the popular mind is thoroughly
roused-the tide of popular feelings bursts
through every barrier, and the nations will
| finds tri ump phant expression. But with the
| excitement of such a moment there passes
away the suddenly disciplined battalions,
| the existence of which is necessary for
sustained action and hence it is that when
an O'Conor Don votes agsipet Land Bill
which is demanded by the overwhelming
majority Of his constituents, or when
Dieby practically a5dicates his functions as
a legislator, or when a King Harmau turns
Tory hack, there is no prompt and decie
i've condemnatio of the offender by his
constituents. In England it ia otherwise.
The Irish there, thrown iate the midst of a
people more thoroughly organised, perhaps,
for political warfare than any other in Eu
rope, have profted by the example set
every day before their eyes, and have
learned the way to be effective factors in
political life. Since the commencement OF
the Home Rule movement they have formed
cubs aud associations in all the towns in
which there exists en- Irish population, and
those clubs and associations, federated az
they are for collective action and directed
by one supreme executive, can be used at
any moment as combined force to punish
backsliders or to assist honest men hard
pressed by the foe, to condemn q worn-out
pelicy or to inaugurate new one.
These thoughts are suggested by the ac-
tion of the Irish in England in regard to
n nj haf p ha-
came plain that nothing was to be obtained
from the present. Parliament by a courteous |
and conciliatory line of action on the part |
of the Irish members, the branches of the |
Home Rule Confederation lost no time in |
the fact with all the weight of |
an organised and Thoroughly discipiintd d |
political force. Meetings were hsld in |
scores of English towns, the whole question |
was discussed in 'ace of the EogiIsh peo- |
pie, and there was unanimous demand |
for change in the tactics of the Irish |
national campaign. A similar spectacle |
presents itself at the present moment. |
Last week the Irish of Glaegow turned |
out in their thousands to welcome Mr.. !
MP, and TO set the seal of their |
approval on that gentleman's recent con-
duct in the House of Commons. Next
week the Irish in Bradford, Leeds and
Liverpool will assemble to greet Mr.. Par
nell. Finally, early in Septemb Der another
series of meetings, with q similar object,
will be held in New Tyne and
other places in that quarter. The general
esRlts are obvious. No. doubts exist or
ire expressed as to the feelings of our
in Great Britain on the Ques-
ion of the day all men know precisely
what they think and are prepared to do;
he Irish question is kept in the forefront
If imperial politics; and, whatever the
editors of the English newspapers may
write to the contrary, English electors ia
various places are beginning seriously to
effect whether~it wonld not be best for
England itself to make some concession to
irish feeling. The fact that something like
! proposal to include in the Liberal plat
form Home Rule plank was made the
other day at meeting of the leaders of
the Liberal party in Leeds, has a signif-
cance which tits not necessary to emphasize.
We hope our exiled elow-countrymen
will continue the good fight, and that they
will be supported, as occasion demands, by
those from whom they have a right to
expect aid-the members of the Home Rule
party. II muer ever be
remem bered that, for the most part, they
are meu .ho have to labor for their liyeli-
hood, and that every hour they devote to
politics is enatched from bard earned and
already too brief intervals of relaxation.
For ourselves, We extend to them the
expression of our hearty sympathy and ad-
miratlon.
OF SL4TERY IN NADAGAs-