The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-07-18
HARRISON ON IRELAND.
The Distinguished Statesman on
British Tyranny-Coercion
Denounce
Hearty Words Of sympathy with
the Causc OF Home
Rule.

From the indianapolis journal, April g. 1881
IL may be suggested that We arc engaged TO-
night in act that savors somewhat OF inn
pertinence-that the question OF pending legis-
la ion relating 70 ireland, which is the subject
OF discussion in The British Parliament, ia not
IA proper subject OF discussion in All American
town meeting But the man WHO makes that
suggestion doesn't understnn the scope and
u wers OF TN American town meeting. We MI
Undel stand that The American newspaper IL free
20 discuss every question. There IL no limit
upon this J ris,iiction. IL cannot DO suggested
In. IL is impairment. whatever subject /; may
discuss. Now, tho American town meeting has
Just - broad jurisd iction We have no official
representations To make 10 tho British Gov
ernment. They can take notice or not OF
what we do or say hero rs they please, but
all the same Wa viii exercise the liberty OF say
ing IL. There WA Il time when communication
between nations was SO tnrdy and difficult that
America was separated in its sympathy but that
time has passed. The electric current has been
put into scrN leo not only upon the land but
across the seas. Mankind has by this rapid in
tercommunication been tied together The
bonds of sympathy have been strengthened, mu-
tual interests have been enlarged, and as an
augury, | believe in that time wher this whole
earth will be one commonwealth in sympathy
aud thought. No calamity involving the lives OF
men can happen now anywhere in the world.
whether IL be yorder in the frozen north or in
the south cape OF Africa, that doo8 not receive
kindly sympathy here, and IL there is "A call fer
help that il does not stir the generosity of the
world. l am not here 10 discuss the measures
OF relief for ireland, l am not here 20
suggest tOhJ LEGISLATION SnOulu axe tIib or Lndt
precise ;orm but all hore will Mt least agree that
il should be progressive in the direction OF a
more liberal government for Ireland than she
now has. We not here To Igest TO Great
Britain that she shall eoncede Irish independ-
ence. The disintegration of nations is seldom
by Parliamentary enactment. When that comes
IL comes the fruit and result of successful
revolution We are SIMPLY TO say that in our
opinion American citizens, what Ireland
needs Ia not coercion, Is not the constable Is
not the soldier with niusket aud bayonet, but
Uh ha IL
TO emancipate her people from the re-
suits of long centuries of i'll govern
ment and that when tho British Ministry
starts in the di ection OF coercion, and postpones
suggestions for reform until that coercion bill
has been enacted 1t il travelling in the wrong di-
rection. II is not possible, in This aee OF the
world. to govern a people as numerous and in
habiting "a country OF such extent as Ireland by
coercion
That period in the worlds history when men
might b. governed by force without their con-
sent--ther inclinations coerced, their aspra-
tions for participation in government suppressed
| is passed away forever. More and moro the
American idea that government rests upon the
consent OF the governed ia making its way in the
world. IL IL be true that the British government
| tnds difficulty in Ireland in impaneling juries
| that will convict any Anenses there against
the landlord it is 10 is deeply settled in
the convictions OF those PEOPLE that those law 3
| are egregiously wrong in prime pie and hurtful
| in their application. That people cannot be
| dealt with. having that settled conviction, by
| any attempt 10 coerce these sentiments, by
| finding another Jurisdiction and venue TO try
those ofIensss, and tho Government becomes a
| failure when that becomes necessity. We are
rot without experience in our own country at
| tho cloee of the war. / unite with you an
| American citizen in the expression of an opin-
! ion in kindly advice 10 those who oppose toe
| adoption OF such measures IA viii win the Irish
| heart, and give TO the helpless and poverty
rckcn In the land OF their fathers en- advance
ment that will in years 10 como give glory
that shall light the brightest years in her exist