The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-28
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER IS. 1893.
the DECLARATION OF WAR

Ex-Congressman Finnerty. as chairman
of the Irish convention at Chicago, has
declared war against Great Britain. As
20 whether he intends to declmate the
British regulars IN Ireland or in Cook
county. Illinois, the dispatches are pro-
vokingly silent. In all probability be will
direct the campaign from Chicago. A
good general will not usually move too
latter in this instance Is in immediate
vicinity of the valiant orator.
II may be, however, that the chairman
is not nearly SO fsrocious as he SQUADS.
1t is just possible that he is tired OF be-
ing an ex-congressman; that he desires to
get rio OF tine two ieitersd prefix and once
again stud the halls of the national legis-
lature with the glittering gems of his elo-
guenct. And possibly this is a way of
placing nimsef ell rapport with tis warm
hearted and impulsve constituents. The
Hon. John I. Finnerty knows very well
that all his impassioned oratory about
winning freedom for Ireland in physical
warfare is monumental buncomb; and if
he were as sincere as lie is vociferous lie
would be ashamed of himself for practic-
ing such deception on his more thought
less countrymen. Such talk as he IN
dulges in but weakens the cause he pro-
fesses to hold dear. 1t makes more in
tolerant the Tories and Unionists and
more conservative the Liberals of Eng
land. Any attempt to separate Ireland
from the empire against the will of the
English would soldify the latter and
arouse in the people of all political fac
tions that loyalty to the principIe of an
undiminished empire that is yet ruling
trait of the Englishman, high and low.
Any indication of rebellion in Ireland
would be utilized to justify the horrors
of aggravated coercion and the considera-
tiou and concession thus far won would
pay the forfeit for the foolhardy venture.
In the event of an armed conflict no
unprejudiced person reasonably informed
could doubt the result. This disparity
between the respective strength and adj
van ages of Ireland ana Great Britain are
too obvious.
OF course Ireland should be free from
Enalish rule. There is no grander. no
surer foundation of governments than the
principle that "the right to govern rests
on the consent of the governed" and
most assuredly England governs the Irish
not only without their consent but
sgainst their vehement protest. She has
no moro right to exercise dominion over
the Green Isle than the United States
would to do the same over Hawaii with
out the latter's consent. 1t is none of
England's business whether the Irish are
fit to govern themselves any more than
fAck 80 49,
Boutelle and this late Minister Stevens
that the queen of Hawaii was dissolu.e.
ANY means THAT are consistent with
the laws and usages of civilized nations
to quote the conventions language. that
will bring about Ireland's emancipation
should be used. But only SUCH means as
will actually accom- plish the end sought
are justiiable. and not those that will
only produce suffering, slaughter and
defeat. When battle is TO be won 1t is
not SO much the question of what we
would like to do, as il IS WHAT the con-
ditions under which we move Will permit
us to do. Whatever our object, if it is
worth achieving, we must be loyal to it.
And We are most loyal when we adopt the
policy that affords the surest promise of
success. 1t might be valorous and heroic
to lead the hosts of the Emerald Isle
against the soldiery of British oppression,
but if the liberty of the isle be the ulti-
mate end it would be infinitely more
practica BILE and practical to adopt slow
or but more certain method. That method
lies in the unification of the now appar-
emily irreconcilable Irish factions and the
resum pton of the parliamentary campaign
so auspiciOusly waged under the leader
ship Of Charles Stuart Parnell. If the
genius of Irish craftsmanship did not
expire with this great leader, the battle
IS he planned it will yet be fought to
aucCeesful ISSUE.