The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-08-31
A GREAT DAY FOR IR ELAND.

Baron Castleton, a LIBERAL, is quoted as
| saying that it is his intention to move a
resolution in the house Of lords early next
sessionto abolish the office of lord liel1ten-
| ant OF Ireland and in place Of that official
to appoint chief under secretary OF Ire
land and to pray the queen to establish
a royal residence in that country He
said he believed such action would forge
closer the links binding the two countries
and would give an immense impetus to
the development of the national resources
of the country and encourage tourists to
visit Ireland 't3
It is said there is good reason TO believe
that the suggestion will receive favorable
considerations in royal circles and it is
understood that thepresent ministry is not
opposed to the change, as the office Of lord
lieutenant Of Ireland is one expensive and
often difficult ito fill. Regarding the OPP
position to establish royal residence in
Ireland the impression PREVAILS that the
ministers and others would prefer to see a
royal residence in the south Or west of Ire
land, where 1t would be likely to do more
good chan in Dublin, which, it is added,
might be visited several times yearly by
members CT the royal family. Should the
change take place. it is proposed to con-
vert Dublin Castle into museum.
The foregoing are said to be the facts
in connection with this subject, but
while the Liberal baron may mean we'll, it
is not likely that his contemplated ac-
ton will meet with the hearty support
from the Irish people that he no doubt
imagines it will. The Irish are not I'M
grateful--far from it-and they are not
lacking in courtesy and genial hearted
ness, but while they would wish the aboli-
ton of lord lieutenant, who has gener
ally been a thorn in the affairs OF the peo-
pie, they are not particularly anxious for
a royal residence in the south OF west or
anywhere else in the. land They have had
enough Of English royalty as it exists
today and has existed for centuries past.
What the people want is to govern them
selves and to be let alone. The pomp
and state and exclusiyeuess Of a royal
residence could add nothing to the happi-
ness or general welfare OF the people,
AS to forging closer the links binding
the two countries, it may be stated that
there are no links binding them today.
If coercion, blood-thirsty legislation and
English bayonets--alas, some of these
bayonets in Irish hands--can be called
binding links, then Ireland is indeed
bound to England with hooks of steel.
But the least English statesmen can say
about forging closer the links between
the two countries the better, if the idea
in SO doing is for the purpose of winning
Ireland's favor. .
Regarding the development Of the nat
ura1 resources Of Ireland, that is g mock
cry even worse than the fate of Tantalus.
The best that the earth produces grows or
lis produced on irish soil, and yet the Irish
cannot partake of the fruits Of their own
labor nor enjoy the bounty with which
nature has supplied its lakes and rivers,
To stimulate effort in this direction under
\ the condition proposed would be only
sinking the cursed brand Of serfdom
deeper and deeper into every Irish soul.
/ There is one change, however, in the
suggestions made that would no doubt
prove acceptable to Ireland, and that is
TO convert Dublin Castle into a museum,
or better still, convert it into hen roost.
Still if the museum idea must be abb cred
to, let the suggestion here be acted upon
that ths>pictures of the unworthy repre-
sen tatives Of the crown who inhabited the
castle be hung upon it's walls with truth
full record of their deeds SO that the tour
lists that it is hoped might be encouraged
to visit the country might see for them
selves the igrominy that has been heaped
upon that unfortunate land.
| With the exception named all she sug-
gestions Of the Liberal baron might as
well not be tried so far as winning favor
is concerned.