Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-05
Mr. Blaine on Home Rule.
New York Tribune.

Mr.. Blaine's speech on Home Rule ranks
with Mr.. Gladstone's oratory in argumenta-
tive skill and elevation of tone. 1t is incom-
parably the calmest, most reasonable and
most judicious American address on this sub
ject that has been made since Mr.. Parnell be-
came the leader of the Irish cause; and it
deserves to be widely read IN England as an
authoritative expression of American opinion
1t is remarkable alike for luciditv of EXPOSE
ton and moderation of temper. At the same
time it is bold, incisive and original, and
contains passages of genuine eloquence as
well as argumentative power.
The simplicity with which the general
question of Home Rule and the land is pre-
scented is perhaps the characteristic feature of
this speech. Mr.. Blaine contends that Ire
land with. only los representatives in a
Parliament of 65S members, cannot do the
slightest thing that implies Legislative power.
1t is. as helpless, so far as Home Rule is
concerned. as Maine would be if it were
linked with the State of New York and
allow ed representation at Albany. Legisla-
tive autonomy as an abstract proposition he
considers reasonable and natural, apart from
the historic bearings of centuries of wrong
and oppression. Without critically analyzing
Mr.. Gladstone's measure he svmpathizes with
any bill that rights the wrong and hands over
the government of Ireland to its own people.
That Home Rule is essential to the revival of
prosperity in the island he demonstrates on
economic grounds. He cites recent statistics
a,testing the wonderful productive capacity of
Ireland and then explains why in the pres
ence of this abundance the people are power
t, stricken and often in want of food. 1t is
because 729 men own one-half of the soil,
while the remainder belongs to only an insig-
nficant fraction of the $50 900 adult males
in the island 1t is because $4,000 900 in
rentals and taxes is wrought out of the bone
and flesh and spirit of the peasant that he lies
crushed.
Mr.. Blaine with marked dignity and man
ner justifes the attitude of Americans toward
the Home Rule cause on broad grounds of
philanthropy. He contends that it is the at
titude which the English people themselves
have maintained for the last fifty years in ex-
tending sympathy to Kossuth, to the Italian
Nationalist, and to every race and rationale
ty cherishing aspirations for self-government
and he warns the membsrs Of the British Par
liamen. that while they can vote down Mr.,
Gladstone's measures they cannot defeat the
public opinion of the world. At the same
time he gives wise and wholesome counsel to
irishmen, reminding them that by acts of
violence and by lack of selfrestraint they
will divide the consolidated sentiment of the
Christian world that believes In free govern
ment. He entreats then not to create a revul-
sion of feeling by any act of imprudence,
and to place their whole reliance upon moral
influence. He warns Irish-A mericans espec-
tally against forming political alliances here
and bids them ito mark any man as at enmi-
ty with their cause who seeks to use it for
personal or for partisan advancement"
Throughout this statesmanlike address Mr..
Blaine speaks not only as the sympathetic
friend of the Home Rule cause but as one
of the wisest councillors of the Irish people.
His eloquent words are well-tmed. The
crisis of the long struggle for Home Rule is
approaching. In the storm and stress period
which will follow the defeat of Mr.. Glad
stones Government Irishmen at home and in
America will need all their resources of pa
tience, moderation and self-control-the very
qualities upon which Mr. Blaine assures them
they must rely in order to achieve their we'll
merited triumph.