The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-02-19
WHY HOME RULE is OPPOSED
IN IRELAND.

WHY HOME RULE is OPPOSED
IN IRELAND.
notwithstanding all that is said
about home rule for Ireland, there is
aparty in that country strenously op-
posed to such rule. or to any change OF
government that will sever Ireland
from the control Of England. Large
meetings have been held, especially in
the north Of Ireland, at which speech
es have been made denouncing the
proposal for home Parliament, and
resolutions passed embodying these
sentiments. 1t has, moreover, been
de-,ared that if q government inde-
pendent of England should be organic
ed, it will not be respected or obeyed.
In order to the proper understanding
of this condition Of feeling, it must be
borne in mind that there are religious
hostilities between Protestants and
Catholics, such as we have no adequate
conception of in this country. The
antagonisms between Catholics and
Orangemen have repeatedly resulted
in serious disturbances of the peace
and sometimes in riots. These dissen-
tions between the two religious bodies
do not arise so much because of the
differences in theology, but the authori-
ty Of the church to control the insti-
buttons of the people. 1t is stated that
the population of Ireland is from 76
to 90 per cent Catholic, except in III
ster county, where it is in the minori.
ty, being only 4s per cent. The Pro-
testants of ireland regard home rule
as dangerous to their civil and religi-
GUS rights, as it would place them at
the mercy of those who are not their
friends. The DEGREES of Rome, they
say, are held infallible and irreyersi-
BILE. The decree of the Roman Pontin
promulgated in 1851 expressly inhibits
freedom of speech, liberty of the press,
and the rights of conscience. The
Syllabus of 1851 has not been repealed,
and if infallible, as claimed, it could
not be. Local government of course
carries it with the authority to regu-
late schools, and prescribe their man.
agement and means of support; to de-
fine church organizations and how con.
stituted, to say nothing of civil and
criminal courts, municipal corpora
lions, roads, bridges and various i'm
provements which might or might not
involve any antagonism from the
causes mentioned.
1t will be understood that these OBJ
jections to home government to Ire.
land are such as are noticed in the re.
ported speeches of the opponents of
local rule In that country. 1t is not
strange that dangers such as might be
likely to grow out of the proposed
changes should much disturb the Pro.
testants of Ireland. We do not believe
the liberal spirit of the age would oil
crate any such disregard to the rights
Of portion of the people Of Ireland
as those referred to. Freedom OF
speech, liberty of the press, and the
rights of conscience cannot in this en-.
lightened age restrain free thought
and free worship. Should home gov.
eminent be granted in Ireland, which
has not as fair prospect of a realiza.
ton as many weeks ago, it will doubt.
less be accompanied with limitations
of power, such as in the constitution
Of the United States, which forbid an
established religion, interference with
rights OF conscience, and compulsory
sectarian education. Such safeguards
will doubtless be incorporated in an
act of Parliament granting the estab-
lishment Of home government for the
Irish people. Although the fears OF
the Protestant Irish may be entirely
groundless, unless some guarantee be
given that their privileges, religious
and educational, shall not be infringed
upon, they will not be satisfied.
Whether such pledge of non-interfer-
ence be necessary or not, it is better it
should be made, because the recogpi-
ton of a great principle in all free
governments should be expressed as
it is in our own.
The new Secretary appointed for Ire
land, whose promotion to that post
was received with distrust by the Irish
people, in public address, last week,
gave assurance that he would never
favor the removal of the military gar.
risons from Ireland nor allow the
interests of the minority of the Irish
people to be placed at the mercy Of the
majority. Declarations like these
from high officials are timely and will
do much to allay the opposition to
home rule.
INTERESTING FLORIDA LET.
TER.
We are enabled to furnish the read
ers of the TELEGRAPH this week with