New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-26
IRISH PROPAG ANDISM.

THE TRIBUNE's dispatches state that "tho
Irish party is about to engage III vigorous
educational propaganda III England lhis Is
wise dctelmlna ion, and 1t Is taken at ll9hl
iuncturc In the past the most 1ormdapic
obstacle to justice for Ireland has been the dead
ness of English public opinion. That this dead
ness grew largely from ignorance OF the cNist-
ING conditions is certain Its elect was 10
Give the Tory sentiment of the governing
classes free scope. Those in whose hands
political power was lodged were virtually ire
sponsiblc. The Irish landlords set the keynote
of British policy in Ireland. The view put forth
tV them concerning the Irish masses moulded
the representations of the British press. The
beliefs of the British middle class were founded
upon the biased statements Of the press. And
the masses Of England as rule knew nothing OF
the situation in the sister island. Thus prejudice
on the one hand was fostcrcd scdulously while
ignorance and political disability made it hope
less TO appeal to the people OF England 1or
sympathy and equitable treatment.
But the recent extensions Of The franchise
have effected marked change in the case.
Two and a half millions have been added to the
voting strength of the democracy. In round
numbers the English voters to-day amount TO
100000 During the years in which The
tattlc for the new Reform bill was proceeding
the English masses have been pursuing their
education. Side 10y side with political agitation
has gone labor organization. Thanks TO Joseph
Arch and his friends the pcasantiy of England
have come to some dim understanding Of their
rights and their wrongs. They are less tract
able, less scrvile, more independent, and by
| Il, no Vori~Io
men, always Gar bcy,n tn, ayr, ULTRA labor r
in intellectual development, understand them
selves and their social superlOrs very clearly.
If they have not in the past been found on the
side Of Ireland it is partly because the whole
question has bccn, 50 to speak, burkcd by the
English press. But the period is ripe for pro-
pagandism. For the first time the Parncilltes
can address an English democracy possessing
political power The making Of public opinion
for the first time means something. The Bat
ish masses have the franchise to-day, and il
they can he convinced that the cause Of IRELAND
is lust they are able TO enforce their convictions
ON tho Government.
But il is clear that if the new programm,
is to succeed it must not bc handicapped by
nolicv of outrages in Ireland. The propagand
lists cannot make much Roadway if while the
are appealing TO the reason and conscience 0
the English voters their friends in Ireland al
squirting the Government on to renewal O
, coercion. The propagandsts must not los
sight Of the fact that it is necessary not only l
disseminate tho truth in England hut TO re
move a prejudice which has been many year
growing TO do this patience and abstendo
| from turbulence are Indispensable, and IL Is t
. be hoped that these conditions can 10 countc
t upon. II Is intended, according to our dli
, patches, to establish literary bureau for tn
? production and distribution Of leaflets, pampt
lcts. etcx and also TO deliver lectures and max