The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-12-05
COERCION FOR IRELAND.

There seems to be little doubt that the
British Conservative party has decided
upon a return to coercion in the govern
ment of Ireland. The suppression Of
several meetings called by the National
League during the past ten days, the
arrest of some OF the agitators, and the
warnings TO others all indicate a return
TO the old policy which Gladstone tried
so hard to abolish forever. In conhrma-
ton of this comes the news from
Dublin that the Irish executive, in
compliance with the decision arrived at
by the British Cabinet. Is preparing to
make war against the Irish League, the
assault TO be inaugurated by proclaim
alton against League meetings and the
arrest of anti-rent agitators. Among
other acts contemplated by government
is the seizure and suppression of United
IreId Il, the recognized organ OF the
Nationalist, and the able and fearless
champion OF the. rights of the Irish
people.
Friends Of Ireland will not grieye over
this departure on the part of the gov
eminent, tor they will convince them
selves that the hsrsher the treatment to
which the Irish may be subjected, the
sooner will come the relief and the
greater will be the victory OF the patriot
people who for generations have been
struggling for their political and human
rights.
One would think that long ere this
the statesmen of England would have
learned what history has taught every
day since there have been governments
aud laws, namely, that nothing can be
gained by the attempted enforcement
Of an unpopular law. and that no law,
whether wise or unreasonable, can be
successfully enfo reed against the public
sentiment of the community. 1t makes
no Differences where the effort is made,
whether in a monarchy or republic,
the result will be the same. Great Britain
has tried for generations to govern
Ireland in 4 manner that was offensive
10 the people, and by laws which were
neither liked nor respected: and for
generations the government Of Ireland
has been q failure. There has been I'M
ceasius war between the imperial au-
thority and the people, and the laws
have been spurned and deied. True.
the Irish have been severely punished.
Fo- Eraaf n-;fa;rfS youa- hoe 49,, -, .
fcIent 10 break the backs If not the
spirits of the people, but there has been
no successful administration of govern
ment. no effective enforcement of laws.
Men are chained, imprisoned and
hanged, and the popular opposition
goes right along, the crushing by force
Of one opponent, does not alarm or
deter Others, bu. instead seems to en-
courage them 10 greater yigor in their
opposition TO the hailed order OF things
I. Is not that the Englishlmade laws for
Ireland are as bad as they are painted.
and the Britilh officials In the little
island are not the cruel tyrant,
they are represented to be. II the Irish
had their own Parliament and made
their own laws, it is doubtful Il there
would be any improvement on those
now in existence; and il the Irish were
10 choose their own executives. we II,s
ton il ADLER. better or mo-e humane
men as a rule would be selected thau
those sent oger by the Imperial GOV
ernment. Ii is the system that Is Oh
ischonable. and the fgh. is made
against It at every pOiat, the opponents
seldom stopping 10 consider whether