Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-04-24
IRELAND's CAUSE.


The speech of Mr.. Gladstone in
Parliament last week on the ques-
ton of Home Rule for Ireland, will
attract as much attention from the
confession it makes of expressions
which have been inflicted upon that
unhappy country, as for the precise
order and ability with which his
statements were made. Coming
from the premier of the English
government, and speaking for the
government, the speech is remark
able in its significance. 1t is an ad-
mission that under the Union Ire
land has been wronged to such a
degree that to persist in it would be
to offend the moral sense of the
world. And this concession once
made, it will date the introduction
of reforms looking to a just regard
for the rights and interests OF Ire
land, and the restriction OF the in.
EQUITIES which have been practiced
upon that people for centuries. A
glance at the history of Ireland I'M
der the Union reveals the most per-
nicious and offensive legislation that
ever emanated from a civilized gov
eminent, and exposes brutal hos
tility to the people OF Ireland and
their interests without parallel in
any country. To satisfy British
greed, laws were enacted to first de-
stroy the wooden industry, then the
stock industry, and then the linen
industry, and finally to obliterate all
manufacturing enterprises from
which the Island had grown pros
porous and happy, In order to build
up the manufactures of England, at
the same time that Ireland was i'm
poverlshed. The great contest of
Henry Grattan, leading the friends
of Ireland, was to restore the COM
merciat activity and prosperity of
Ireland, more than for the assertion
of political rights. But the parlia-
ment that was then conceded to Ire
land was of short duration. Eng
lish money and English treachery
brought to an inglorious close, after
brief existence, the Grattan Par
lament, and from that time to this,
Ireland has been growing poorer,
her condition becoming more des-
perate and her future more hope
less. Not until Parnell came upon
the stage of action and agitation for
reform and home rule was inaugur-
ated, was there CLEAN of promise
Tor the unfortunate and oppressed
Island. His steady courage, his
tenacious endurance, has calm re-
lance upon the justice of his cause,
have worked a revolution even in
English sentiment, changing Mr..
Gladstone from an imprisoned per
secuter to an active and aggressive
defender and friend, for it was but
IL few years ago that Parnell was i'm.
prisoned by order of Gladstone on
account of his political sentiments
and outspoken sense OF wrong from
which Ireland suffered.
Mr.. Gladstone may not to be able
TO carry through the reforms he pro-
presses at this time, but there will
be no step backward. The admis-
sion Of British injustice and oppres-
ion, coming from English sources,
can only be atoned for by future
Justice to Ireland. Her commercial
and political condition will have to
be relieved by a parliament of her
own and legislation and laws en-
acted looking primarily to Irish in
terests. The enlightened conscience
aud the progressive influences of
the times will demand this much
and be satisfied with nothing less.
The cause that Gladstone and Par
nell plead, is the cause of humanity
the cause of right against wrong,
and will, in the very nature OF
things, finally triumph VALLEY Vir
gilman.