San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-17
THURSDAY, JUNE II, 1886.
A STRONG HAND RULES.

The orange riots In Ireland have de-
mOnstrated this truth; a strong hand
rules Ireland, and a strong princi-
pie is at work fOrtitying the Irish mind
against all exhibition Of its native hot
headedness, such as has been seldom
witnessed in the history of that people.
To any one, even imperfect ly acquaint-
ed with the intense bitterness Of the re-
iigious struggle which has divided Ire
land for centuries, the present temper
OF the Irish Catholics is one of the most
marked features Of this intensely dra-
matte period. The hot impulsiveness Of
the Celt seems cooled to calm dispas-
sionatensss in the face Of the most terri
bly, trying ordeal through which that
people has been called to pass. The
counsels which have guided the conduct
Of the Irish Catholics of Belfast during
the late riots, In which they were shot
down in the streets like dogs by the
frenzied royalists, have been the coun-
sells Of q profound wisdom. The
patience under insults the most bitter,
prOvocations the most gosding, attacks
the most unjustifable and tsunts the
most maddening, displayed by the Irish
Catholics, has shown that down deep
below the surface ripples of feeling there
was q strong undercurrent Of restraint,
such as ia seldom placed to the credit Of
that people. 1t is not enough to attrib-
ute this self-restrsint. this self-con-
strsint, this self-abnegation to the mere
connection that it would be impOlitic
and unwise to resort to measures of re-
talistion at this juncture OF affairs. The
feeling evidently goes down deeper and
may justly be accepted as marking a
change in the character OF the
people themselves; q change Indicative of
more steadfsst purpose, and a
more decisive control than they have yet
exhibited. This same trait of character
has been displayed by the leaders of the
national party in the house of commons.
The native eagerness and impetuesity
Of the national character seems wonder
fully toned down in those grave, eager,
observing faces whose lips move not as
they quietly wait the Issue OF events,
each movement big with terrible des-
tiny to themselves and their people.
The charge Of unfitness for the respOn-
sible task OF government has been so
thoroughly shaken in the commons that
1t may have been deemed necessary BY
the desperate among the tory faction to
break down this testimony, and in order
thereto these loyalist riots were melted
IL this has been the meaning Of the re-
cent wholesale murders in Belfast the
attempt has miserably failed. The ig-
norant suffering masses OF the people
have shown patience under persecu-
tion, a..fortitude in the midst of the most
appalling dangers that might have dis
armed any enmity save that OF a relig-
ious bigotry. The Irish nationallsts
have shown themselves under every con
dition and circumstance adequate to
meet the responsibilities of the hour
and confer dignity upon the national
cause which tqey have espoused. 1t Is
not In the nature Of things that these
changes in character should be the out
growth Of q mere policy, temporarily
adopted for the sole purpose Of achiev-
Ing their object in influencing the Eng
lish mind. These changes mark an era
In the history OF the people themselves
and demonstrate not only their fitness
for the arts Of government, but their un.
fitness to be governed other than in ac-
cordance with the free consent Of their
own minds. Ireland, both IN the house
OF commons snd in the blood-stained
streets Of Belfast, Is to be congratulated
on the temper, wisdom, prudence, good
judgment and sober mindedness OF her
people; complimented on the fact that
under the most trying situations she has
lost neither head nor heart, but with the
invincible patience OF Unborn courage
endures to the end. These lessons will
not be lest upon the character of the
Irish people; they will not easily die out
Of the English consciousness.
Iaa ~ s.II .