The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-19


Mr.. JOHN WALTER, principal proprietor of
the London Times, who seeks to emphasize
his statements relative to the sympathy ex-
pressed in this country for home rule for Ire
land by saying he has travelled extensively in
the United States and knows of what be
speaks, cannot expect to convince Americans
that he knows much about the feeling here
on that question when he tries to make it APP
pear that the meetings held here to express
sympathy with the Gladstone bill have been en-
gineered by Irishmen. This is very far from
the truth, for in point of fact these meetings
have been attended by representative Ameri-
cans all over the country, men who have felt
disinterested desire for the promotion of the
welfare of the Irish people. Native Ameri-
cans and other citizens born in other coun-
tries than Ireland have taken the trouble to
attest their interest in this great question,
and have been glad to publicly proclaim their
sympathy with the movement intended to
better the political condition of the Irish peo-
pie. It were foolish to expect anything else
here. 1t would have been as wise to expect
that the restored Union would attempt to de-
prive the people Of the Southern States that
went into rebellion of home rule when they
were so reconstructed as to allow of the
experiment of taking care of themselves.
There were many who, like the people Of Eng
land, relative to the Irish, were fearful that
the experiment would prove disastrous; but
the feeling in favor of allowing them the same
rights enjoyed by the Northern States was so
strong that it had to be accorded. Give Ire
land similar privileges and the Irish people
will prove as capable to care for themselves,
and will not be any the less an integral por-
ton of the United Kingdom. The American
people as a mass are in close sympathy with
the Irish in this question, and it cannot be
discounted in truth. Since in the political
possibilities Ireland may not now become a
republic, and may never become one until
England shall, which will be so some day, it
is enough and not too much to ask that she
shall be accorded that measure Of autonomy
that will allow her to legislate on those ques-
tons affecting Irish interests alone. The
feeling in this country is that she might be
given similar privileges under the crown
as are enjoyed by the several States
20 tbo A M ar;ooY, Trpior Tho dow 10 ,oy,;pc,
when this will have to be allowed, for the reason
that it is only reasonable and just. Ireland
has suffered fearful wrongs and they cannot
be kept up forever Some of her people have
done her cause vast harm by resorting to acts
of violence that would shame savages, but
that does not alter the fact that there is very
great reason why justice should be done that
people. Sooner or later it must come, and
the British statesman who succeeds in devils
ing solution of the vexing problem will win
imperishable fame, and those living in the
empire will have reason to rejoice that the re-
form was accomplished during the time they
lived, just as those Americans rejoice who
had the privilege of living at the time when
the slaves were set free. Let the serfs of Ire
land be liberated, and it is safe to predict that
the act will never be regretted, but will rather
be a crown of glory far outshining the crown
of royalty. Mr.. Walter, nor any other man,
can conceal the fact that the people of this
Western popular empire are in favor of the
political emancipation of the people of Ire
land