The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-02-24
BANDING FOR REFORM.

Whenever the people OF Ireland form
associations for the purpose of unifying
attempts at reformation, the civilized
| world is prone to assume that the acts
of such bodies are enveloped in an at
| mosphere of treason. The evils com
planned of, the justice of the things de-
handed are lost sight of in the inveterate
hostility to the class seeking redress OF
| grievances. 1t is difficult to SO analyze
| this feeling of dislike as to find the ele-
ments of which it is made up. The Ir-
| ishman in foreign countries Is industri-
Gus and law abiding. There is nothing
in his national characteristic or personal
habits which justifies race hatred. The
prejudice is reflected from the race to
the individual and not from the individ-
uaI to the race. General Grant would
not receive congratulatory address from
the Irish people although we might with
reason assume that an address from the
Cubans would not be treated with ike
contempt. In every country patriotism
throbs responsive to the efforts OF Poland
topreserve her independence, and orators
and poets delight to honor the brave men
who lost fortune or life in her cause
The Irishman whose love for his country
transcends the sense Of personal danger,
is looked upon as mailman, and when
suffering for the crime of treason he
appears in the character of criminal
rather than a martyr. The American
people are charitable, but when that
charity is directed toward the Irish peo-
pie, it is simply compassion for suffering
unaccompanied by Indignation at the
cause.
The Land League is looked upon in
this country as an organization instituted
for the purpose of defying law creating
disturbance and intimidating business
men. The men most prominent are held
up to scorn as abettors of murder and
willful yiolators of law. When the thir-
teen colonies resolved to resist the unjust
imposition of taxes, similar league was
formed in the then dependent colonies.
There was to be no dealing with sympa.
thisers of the British government. Articles
on which duty was collected would not
be purchased, nor those manufactured
in England. History has honored those
who thus sacrificed personal convenience
to a sense of duty. Whatever Of treason
there was in the line of duty 50 strictly
adhered TO, was a halo of glory rather
than subject of reproach. Is not the
Irish Land League working for a like
laudable purpose through similar means?
Why should it be denounced while its
prototype is held up for reyerence2
When sufferings for the necessaries of
life opened the eyes of the English pee.
pie to the injustice of the corn laws, an
anti-corn law league was organized.-
Golden, a name dear to English people
to day was to that league what Parnell is
to this. That league worked to take off
duties which prohibited the importation
of articles necessary to the existence of
life. The present league works for the
establishment of a system which will
make it possible for Irishmen to live in
Ireland without periodical appeal to
the charities of the world against famine.
The league is doing it's work poaoeahly
and elfectually. Does it ask for anything
which in justice it should not? Has it
sought to secure its ends by any means
which political morality would be forced
to condemns Let the people of America
be just and they viii be consistent.