The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-17
IRISH HOME RULE.
Archbishop Walsh Offers n Suggestion
to Patriotic Sons of Erin.

TORONTO, Ont, Oct. l6.-Archbishop
Walsh, who recently returned from Ireland,
has addressed to Edward Blake. NJ p. for
South Tyrone, letter on the question of
Irish home rule. After expressing regret
that the state of Mr.. Blake's health pre-
vented him accepting reception from the
citizens of Toronto, he asks: How is the
success Of the Irish cause to be obtained?
How are the Irish national forces to be
focused into q great center OF strength
and power?
"It seems to me-" he continues, that 10
the solution Of this problem. Irish patriot
ism and Irish craftsmanship should now
devote themselves. Surely Ireland must still
have the power and vitality to shake off
from her the fatal dissensions that have, Of
late, preyed upon her and threatened the
extinction Of her national life; surely she
must not allow herself, like derelict ship
at sea, to drift about aimlessly and hope
lessly, q prey to the waves and storms Of
angry passions and internecine feuds.
my suggestion is this: Let a great ma
tional convention be held in Dublin, COM
posed of chosen representatives of the
clergy and people Of Ireland and of an
advisory representation Of the Irish
race abroad naaR os ans bss S9nven5ii01 i0d
Let not her voice be like a
broken musical instrument, emitting dis
cordant notes and jarring sounds, but let
it. on the contrary. be clear. loud and en-
phatic, insisting on unity and condemning
faction Let her point out and uphold the
parliamentary representatives whose meth
DDS and conduct she approves, and let her
mark out and condemn those whose intol-
erance Of control and personal jealousies
and animosities have done much to
break the unity and waste the strength Of
the national party"
81, 1af<c nf ha Arnh ifCh n
Blake replies by deploring the want of
unity In the Irish party. more especially at
time when they are facing govern
ment (which denied the right and the ca
pacity OF Irishmen to direct their own al
fairs and the safety to the empire Of home
rule for Ireland. and which declares for the
policy Of perpetual legislation and admins
tration of purely Irish affairs from West
minister. 1t seems to me our duty Is not
only to maintain and strengthen the posi-
tion of Irish home rule. but also to insist
that those in power shall attempt to dis
charge the responsibilities such a policy In
wolves. Those responsibilities are enor-
NOUS The Irish land question. with It's
numerous ramifications, retains, even by the
acknowledgement of the adversary. the fore
most place in the legislative programme.
But Irish nab,s rural sovernnssnt Ir1ss edgca risn
ton, Irish fiscal and financial
relations, and other important questions
should also be pressed to the front And
in this overwhelmingly Tory and anti-home
rule Parliament, an active. useful and hon
orable career. We may in the next ive
wears do much good for Ireland, and we
may, in the doing Of 1t and while we are
doing It, materially advance the prospects
of that home rule which must ever remain
our first and main object. But to do any
good at all, either In these or other mat
ters or for the great cause Of home rule.
itself, 1t Is more than ever necessary that
we should act together. We are too few 10
quarrel
The significance OF Archbishop Walsh's
letter arises from the belief that IL was d.
rectly inspired, If not written by Justin
Mccarthy.