The Wilmingtonian., 1886-01-23
The Bayonet for Ireland.

The Bayonet for Ireland.
1t is terrible alternative, but it appears
that English policy can suggest nothing
less inhuman at the present juncture than
the bayonet to settle Irish difficulties.
To Americans there comes the suspicion
that perhaps among Mr.. Parnell's followers
there are some who have failed in following
the great leaders behests with the iudicious
exactness that the present crisis in Irish
affairs would demand. With all Mr.. Par
nell's care to maintain the dignifed persis-
teDce Of constitutional rights, simultaneously
with due consideration of the obstacle of
English prejudice, some of his followers
have, we fear, been most impolitic in their
racial impulsiveness, thereby unnecessarily
antagonizlng an element with which the
cool judgment of their leader was well cap
acitated to grapple. His slow persistent
policy in parliament had great possibility
of success month ago, had not the over
iubilant deridnigs of the rank and file of his
following exasperated certain imperialst
sections throughout England.
Parnell was on the eve of victory Success
is now put off for a season. The Irish have
no one but themselves to blame in the mat
ter. Mr.. Parnell's lieutenants tolerated
the aggression and interference of unknown
obscure men In the provinces. Their harsh
laying down of league law is now openly
resented by the tenant farmers. Affairs
point almost in the direction of divided
councils. Success, which moment ago
appeared within grasp is now slowly van
ishing. Political position is changed. In
were in the position of suppliants for the
Irish vote. Now it is otherwise, both En-
glish parties, Conservative and Liberal are
practically at one in recognizing the necess i
ty of imperialist rule in Ireland The Irish
party are standing over mine, to which if
the match of English evaporation be
touched not such story even as that OF
Russian ruthlessness in Poland would equal
the fierce onslaught of sanguinary hate and
vengeance that unfortunate Ireland would
be possible of subsection to. There is a
long score Of dynamite outrages and imper-
ial disgrace to which the British Empire has
been subjected which the rank and file of En
glishmen would leap to arms to avenge. To
Irish obstructionism it is true there is strong
objection among the English people, but tc
some degree, even Euglshmen concede tC
Mr.. Parnell, the wish at least to gain his
\ POINTS oy coasyi s4Oionat lllstIotls, bus u
those lower classes of agitators, ribbon-meni
moonlighters, those who would disrupt tn
empire, those who think it no crime to com
nit agrarian outrages there are differen
feelings, and if English bayonets were onct
let loose upon these, woe betide the innocen
peasant, for an enraged soldiery will maxi
no distinction.
Ii is pity, as has been remarked, thf
more implicit obedience Were not accord e
Mr. Parnel! by all parties Of nationalists j
Ireland. 1t is pity also that above all MI
Parnell does not clearly state to his infat
uated followers that separation is simpossiblt
, The bayonet will be set to work befole eithe
} English political party makes any such cor
| cesson. The consideration of such polio
r has been clearly denounced as high treaso
, by both parties, Tory aud Liberal. 1t is th
, one point that never will be conceded, sin
ply because it cannot be. With its clos
: contiguity to the centre of the Empire an
a government that dared to introduce such
+ measure in favor of Ireland would be in
c peached by the concensus of British opinio
}, Let Mr.. Parnell essay the possible, of loc
: government SC, and not waste time npt
d what is forever beyond his reach