The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-03-23
OLD IRELAND's STRUGGLE.

"Old Ireland is going through tough
and bitter struggle at the present time
as unfortunately is pretty much bel
wont; but the present differs from most
of the bitter struggles of the past il
this, that we have on our side the hope
indeed, l may say the certainty--o1
success. There is no element of de.
spair in the Irish struggle of to-day, az
any one will readily observe when they
have an opportunity of moving among
the people. They were never more
united than at the present time. In that
respect we stand in a much better posi-.
ton thru on the occasion Of your for
mer visit, for we have hosts of friends
on our side now actively engaged with
us in the struggle who stood aloof in
the early days of the Land League
question"
Redpath-''Are the leaders as much
in real accord as they were then?"
MIR. Harrington-"I should say there
was never better understanding or
more perfect harmony subsisting
among the leaders Of any movement in
Ireland than among ours at the present
time.'
Redpath-''Now, a word as to Mr..
Parnell's position. Is he as popular and
as much trusted by the people of Ire.
land as he was Them"
Mr.. Harrlngton-"You may rely up
on it, MIR. Parnell's popularity has meyer
waned, and the peoples faith in him
has never faltered fora day. If he was
popular In the early days of the strug-
gle as the leader Of what to many hon
est men of the time seemed a forlorn
hope, he is much more so to-day with
the score of many victories to his credit,
and the final victory of all, may say,
securely within his grasp. The feeling
toward Mr.. Parnell in Ireland is one
which no mere enthusiasm can express.
1t may be better described as that deep
seated faith which begets loyalty rather
than the sympathy which carries appro-
baton. But On this yon may rely, that
belief in Parnell is a main article IN the
Irishman's political creed, and none
hold that faith more strongly than those
among the leaders who stand highest in
the affection of the people. Parnell has
no rival in Irish politics, and I am glad
to be able to assure you that there is no
man prominent IN Irish politics who has
any other desire than that of rendering
him the most loyal support
Redpath-'' What would be the mini
mum of power that would in any de-
gree satisfy the Nationalist in a Home
Rule bill2"
Mr.. Harrington-''I should say the
Nationalist will never be satisfied with
snytbing less than Which was contained
IN Mr.. Gladstone's bill, nor is any party
likely to offer them less. There may be
some alterations in the bill as 1t will be
introduced in the future, but feel con.
WINGED that while some of the altera-
lions may he directed to obviate some
criticisms that have been INDUCED in
against the last bill, the future measure
will, on the whole, be an improvement
on che late proposal
Redpath What reason ia there to
expect the passage of satisfactory
measure of Home Rule within reason.
able timer"
Mr.. Harrington-''Well, the question
has been brought just to the position
which we were 80 long struggling for.
We never hoped to be able to carry
Home Rule measure through the Brit
ish parliament ourselves, and we were
never sanguine enough to hope that
both political parties in England would
agree in concedlng it. but we have now
got the more powerful of the two great
political parties IN England to take this
question up at the drst point in their
OF reform, and. we have
educated their constituents, who are
the great mass Of the British people.
into a hearty approval Of the policy Of
thelr leaders. Mr.. Gladstone and the
Liberal party stand pledged to carry a
Home Rule measure for Ireland before
any important question of English re-
form Is dealt with. and we have not the
slightest doubt in our mind that that
pledge will and must be carried out"
These views may be unreservedly ac-
copied as identical with the opinions of
MI. Parnell and of the other parliament
tary leaders Of the Irish national move
ment
h FoR additional editorial matter Zee
other pages of this Issue Of THE IR1sH