The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-21
THE ENEMIES OF IRELAND.

rage, assassination and explosion-will lead
to freedom. How strange it is that men of
Judgment can regard the murder of unarmed
men and the jeopardy of women and chill
dren as the way to secure national recogni-
ton by the world? There is one and only
one way for Ireland to throw off the yoke of
British government, and that is by revolu
ton. Bushwhacking and guerilla warfare
will not do. A shot here and there from
behind hedge or wall will never
make Ireland a nation. Until the
entire population are united IN
thorough purpose to secure freedom
by an open and honorable appeal to- arms,
and the sacrifice of their lives, if need be- in
the contest, can there be rational talk of
national independence. And even then the
undertaking must be regarded as hopeless.
England, with an unmatched navy and one
of the finest armies in the world, could and
would crush the Irish people like an egg
shell in the hands of giant Ireland has
population of 1893, 500, while England, ex-
elusive of Scotland, has 25, 480, 100. In addi-
ton to this, ali the military power-every
ship, fortress, soldier and gun--is in the
hands of England and ready to do its bid
ding This is political fact that can be ig-
nored only to the peril of those who blindly
choose to disregard it. 1t is folly to despise
these things and it would be simply inviting
destruction to attempt an armed contest,
What, then, can Irish agitators do? Mani
testify without the aid of some other power
the people of Ireland would simply rush to
destruction by precipitating war. In this
extremity America has been appealed TO.
Not directly, but in a manner that is at
once compromising and in possible defiance
of the rules of international comfy. 1t is
remarkable, too, that the strongest and most
confident appeals have been made for Amer
lean sympathy following every fresh outrage
in Ireland or England When Cayendish
and Burke were assassinated the leaders of
the cause on this side of the Atlantic were
active in raising funds for the support of
those at home. And now, following
der innocent men in London word
comes from Boston that it will again be an
easy matter to raise money to carry on the
dreadful work. What estimate is placed
| upon Americans that they are expected to
| give moral and financial support to such
deeds? How long will the delusion be kept
up that murder and assassination will popu-
larize the Irish cause in the hearts of the
people of this country? There is widespread
sympathy in America for Ireland in her
wrongs and the hope has been general that
the day might soon come when they would
all be redressed and her people restored to
every just right and privilege. The outlook
is greatly disconraging. The secret
murder of unarmed officials, the wan
ton destruction of property and the peril
of unsuspecting and innocent people
never did win sympathy except among saw
ages, and never will. Until the people of
Ireland pronounce unqualified condemna-
ton upon these atrocities they cannot hope
for effective sympathy and aid from any
source The double murder in Phoenix Park
set back the Irish cause century, almost
and the attempt at indiscriminate slaughter
OF deliverance. It were different if any
| prominent leader would denounce the perpe-
tration of these deeds. The lieutenants of
the Irish army of observation, such as Sheri-
N ] Al.
of bloodhounds like o. Donovan Rosa, openly
defend these crimes, while those above them,
as Parnell and Egan, have no word of con-
demnation. Such words, brave, and true
and strong, as those of A. NJ. Sullivan, are
like pearls in a waste of sand.
If it be hopeless for ireland to revolt, it is
worse than folly to assassinate, for it only
estranges those who would like to be friendly,
and makes bitter enemies, hard and hostile
foes of those from whom reforms and con-
cessions must come. BY deserving sym
pathy, and working upon the feelings of the
middle classes in England, so rapidly becom-
ing the governing power of the kingdom,
the cause of Ireland would be infinitely
strengthened, and eventually justice would
be obtained. The present course of insane
and unjustifiable violence, not only not de-
nounced and repudiated but concurred in
and tacitly Endorsed, intensfes the deep
rooted prejudice that has so long dwelt in
the hearts of the English.
Ireland has unquestionably suffered great
injustice and is to-day Disseminated against.
Her cause pleads ITSELF and the verdict Of
history is in her favor. 1t they were pa
tient and wise in whose hands her
destinies are nlncad the needed refnrms