The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-01
Irelapd,s Grand Opportunity.

Irishmen may be congratulated that thel,
struggle against oppressive laws and their de-
mand for a redress of grievances have reached
such a development that there is no longer any
dispute except upon points OF detail. In 9th
or words, the problem with regard to Ireland
| is now, not whether justice shall be done her
but only how 1t shall be done. That it mus,
| be done and even that it will be done Is con
ceded on every hand. Only the method Is dis.
cussed, not the primary fact. This Is a great
advance.
sequence OF the Irish conflict. She scarcely
dares lift a finger IN the Egyptian difficulty
One can barely imagine that this England
which stands as IL with her hands tied behind
her in pesence of a revolt of a wretched little
Arab IN command of a crowd Of multlcolored
cutthroats and ragsmuffins called an Egyptian
army is the very same Englasad that less than
q century since was disposed 70 sit upon the
heads of all the other nations, and seemed, in
deed very well able to do it. IL this the Eng.
land that established its dominion over two
hundred millions OF people in Hindostan-
the England whose little contingent of troops
and large supply OF cash turned the scale of
European conflict against the greatest soldier
of modern times with the prowess OF the great
est of military nations behind HIM? Is this
the England that disputed the supremacy of
the American people over this continent on
fields that nearly fill the space from Bunker
Hill to New Orleans, and that in a later time
combined the politics and the forces which
stayed the march OF the Russian colossus to-
ward Constantinople? If this Is that England
what stops her from putting her foot upon the
Egyptian vermin? Only the attitude of Ire.
land Those Irish soldiers who were killed in
red coats at Bunker Hill and New Orleans,
and whose bodies have strewed every field OF
France from Malplaquet to Waterloo have
now not only fewer representatives IN her ar.
mics. but the equivalent men have assumed a
position that constitutes the most imperative
demand upon her attention. She must remove
their dlscontents before she can make new
ventures in the world.
With England thus brought to position in
which she must inevitably listen to Ireland's
demands and endeavor to satisfy them the
practical point is presented, What are those
demanGsy On this point there is unfortunate
ly some doubt. Between the Irish leaders
themselves there is a difference of opinion as
to what Ireland wants-or, rather, rs to what
measures of those that England can be forced
to cOncede will be Il satisfactory remedy for
irish grievances. Some indomitable spirits
stand out for Irish independence, and hold
that it is craven for Ireland TO accept any
amelioratlon of her condition which must
come rs a concession from her oppressor.
They want to fight for their freedom, and that
is the only way that any real freedom was ever
obtained so far as we know But this plan
has no favor with the recognized leaders of the
people who have lately come most to the front,
because they believe it to be project that can
not possibly reach a successful issue. They
may be right,
Between those leaders who believe in peace
Gl remedies-who want reform of Irish griev-
,nces within the limits of the British cOnsti-
Imtion-there is not such agreement as the
.incere friends of Ireland would desire to see.
iien like Mr. Davltt and Mr.. Parnell ana Mr..
Matthew Harris are not OF one opinion on so
simple subject as that of the land law Ire.
lind should demand from the British parlia-
uent. If it be true, as we assume it to be,
that at the present time Ireland can extort
from Englands fears and from the hour of
Elgland's need almost any remedy called for,
the Irish leaders must at least be first able to
agree among themselves as TO what 1t is that
Ireland wants. In our report of MIR. Davitt's
speeches and in our cable dispatches we have
enCcavored to give our readers explicit inform
atin on this difference. We have given Mr..
Panelps opinions on Mr.. Davitt's new land