The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-28
A Canadian on Home Rule.

A Canadian on Home Rule.
Some remarkable resolutions, requesting
her Majesty to bestow home rule on Ireland,
were lately passed by both Houses OF the
Canadian Parliament. The address was sup
ported by the Ministerial leader, Sir JOHN A.
MACDONALD, who thirteen years ago caused
the rejection of an analogous resolution
recommending the dsestablishment of the
Anglican Church in Ireland.
The most noteworthy feature OF the debates
was the speech of Mr.. BLAKE, who made a
strong presentation of the facts which justi-
fy the demand Of self-government for Ireland.
1t Is true that the grievances OF which Irish
men have heretofore had ample reason to
complain may to II large extent be remedied
IL the principle now announcedby Mr.. GLAD
STONE could be made the settled policy of the
British Government. That principle, con-
csely stated, is that the rule practically fol-
lowed in the case of Scotland should be APP
piled to Ireland all legislation specially af
fecting the latter country being moulded
and controlled by its representatives in Par
Lament There Is reason to fear, however,
that this course wise as 1t Is, would be re-
pudiated by the Conservatives should they
return to power, and it may well be deemed
expedent to provide betimes firm guarantees
Of local self-government. But where are
those guarantees to be found? That is the
inquiry lying at the root OF the home rule
problem, and Mr.. BLAKEs neglect to answer
it is only applicable by reluctance to con-
front the difficulties and avow the logical
| outcome Of the home rule movement.
One of the most effective points made by
Mr.. BLAKE in the treatment OF this subject
i was the exposition Of the distinctness with
which Mr.. GLADSTONE himself has repeat
eddy recognized the soundness OF the prin-
cple for which Irishmen are now contend
ing. There is not in England moro rcso-
Lutte opponent Of Capitalization, u more
strenuous advocate Of local self-administra-
ton, than the present Prime Minister pro-
iesses himself to be. But Mr.. BLAKE COM
plains that Mr.. GLADSTONE confines himself
to mere abstract expressions of approval,
and casts the burden of devising :. practi-
cable scheme of home rule for Ireland
on the shoulders of those who ask for
1t. THIS he pronounces disingenuous, and
declares that on the British Government
rests the duty of propounding a remedy for
the grievous state OF things which British
legislation brought about. They, he says,
who possess the power and bear the re-
sponsibiity Of administration, should under
take to frame scheme which will meet the
emergency and confer self-government on
Ireland without impairing the integrity of
tho British empire. Show me, was Mr..
GLADsToNEs demand, by what authority, by
means Of what machinery, you will divide
imperial or national from purely local Ques-
tons. No, reioins Mr.. BLAKE, We are not
| Had, TO- do ~ ho II dc
for YOU for the British Legislature, to con-
trive new and better apparatus, since you
alone are chargeable with the defects and
mischiefs of the existing mechanism.
Certainly the British Government ought to
promptly and seriously examine the feasibil-
ity OF home rule; but should not the friends
of Ireland also address themselves to the
solution of the question? We will tell Mr..
BLAKE how he might make a speech
even more useful and impressive than that
which he delivered in the Parliament
House at Ottawa. We believe that he is
able-that few men are better able-to sug-
gest n practicable plan of government
for Ireland which should reconcile the re-
quirements of home rule with the national
integrity OF the United Kingdom. We opine
that this plan already stands forth sharp and
clear in his mind, and that he has been here
totore restrained from proclaiming 1t by the
same prudential reasons which impose silence
upon Mr. GLADSTONE. Neither the British
Premier nor the leader OF the Canadian OPP
position can in his heart feel any doubt
touching the true solution Of the Irish prob
lem. They know that the correct analogy
and the right model are not to be sought
in the relation of the Russian Gov
eminent to Finland, or in that of
Austria to Hungary, in the dual mon
archy of the HAPsBURGS. They know
that the principle of local self-government
advocated by Mr.. BUTT, and nominally sane
toned by the British Premier himself, can
be carried out in just one way, viz, by Civ
ing Ireland precisely the same rights and
guarantees in a British federation which one
of our States enjoys in the American Union
Why, then, do they hesitate to avow such
convictions and propose the establishment
OF such Il system? Because Mr. GLADSTONE,
who is the head OF the imperial Govern
ment, and Mr.. BLAKE, who may at any
time become the head of the Dominion ad-
ministration, see clearly enough the conse-
! quences which the scheme would inexorably
entail. They see it would involve the down.
polity and of the whole mass Of legal tictions
which have survived the feudal regime; that
it would require the adoption of a written
Constitution like that of the United States
and the creation of an independent judiciary
and of an elective but independent executive
that it would mean, in short, the summary
: displacement OF the parliamentary by the
presidential form OF government.
) Grave as they are these consequences must
be looked squarely in the face by statesmen
; who honestly desire to compass the sole fea
: sible solution of the Irish problem; and Mr.
> BLAKE would have taken II bold and fruitful
step it, instead of arraigning Mr.. GLADSTONE
for discreet reticence, OF which he himself
} was guilty, he had disclosed to the people Of
) Canada and Of Great Britain the thought tina,
! was in his heart Why should he not man
| fully confront the tremendous revolutionary