The Irish standard., 1886-08-14
MICHAEL DAvITT ON OBSTRUCTION
Mr.. Michael Davitt has arrived in

| MlUaAEL DAvlII VM U66IhUCIlUN.
Mr.. Michael Davit5 has arrived in
America, and will remain here two OF
three months, during which time he
proposes to deliver series of lectures
on questions affecting the Irish cause
Perhaps no man in this world is in q
better position to deal intelligibly with
this subject than Mr.. Davitt. He has
gained his knowledge in a school that
can at least be credited with being a
practical one. From his boyhood he
has had reasons for making himself
thoroughly acquainted with the Irish
question. In recent letter to the Irish
World, he speaks Of obstruction as fol-
lows:
"I have read the extracts from the
Irish World article recommending the
Irish Parliamentary Party to adopt the
policy of obstructiag in Parliament
measures introduced for the benefit OF
Che English masses because Of the votes
of the latter against Home Rule. This
policy would be suicidal. The English
are not against Gladstone and Home
Rule, but against the land purchase
scheme. The hostility on the part of
the democracy to buying out the Irish
landlords and the middle class against
Home Rule decided cha Issue of the
election.
Given now Gladstone mas polled 300,-
900 votes more than the Tories, but the
uncontested elections gave the oppon-
ents of Home Rule a majority. The
true policy for Home Rulers is to advo-
cate the reforms required by the work
ers Of Great Britain while advocating
justice to Ireland.
'"The struggle for the highest form Of
Irish liberty can and ought to run par
allel to the aspirations to the British
democracy for reform Of their social
condition for economical liberty, for la
Dor in the field and the workshop.
s'The issue knit by Gladstone is, the
classes against the masses in the effort
to satisfy the national demand of the
Irish people. ..u
eff the irish people obstruct the
cause of the English masses they will be
playing the game of the classes and for
felt the sympathy Of the million and q
half of British voters who supported
Home Rule this election.
.sIreland has splendid chance Of
winning a better measure of Home Rule
than that defeated if We show the mil
lions who toll and spin in Great Britain
that in fighting for our rights we place
no limit to the cause Of liberty and will
strive for it for the people of England,
Scotland and Wales, as we'll as for the
people of ireland.
"By this policy we will soon have the
voters of England following the example
of the Scotch and Welsh in supporting
Home Rule"
Mr.. Davitt's reasons are Of cogent
character. After the support given the
Irish party blythe English masses it would
not be just or honorable to impede leg
islation affecting them and for their bene-
fit. The cause mas met with too much
favor 80 far to hazard its future success
in a policy of obstruction that would
not benefit the Irish people in any way.
Mr.. Davitt's opinions go long way in
the formation Of Irish public opinion,
and will be received with respectful at
tention by the Irish representatives in
Parliament.
WEIGHED carefully, the following
| from the London Standard has pecu-
liar Significance "Lord Harrington s
language is all that the Conservatives
have a right to expect. There is little
doubt that as long as Lord Harrington
continues of the same mind, Home
Rule for ireland is impossible. He
still seems to dream of uniting the scat.
tered hostile Liberal sections, instead