The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-07-20


isfato u ea III All st 81. ig ted.
lNe feel rantted ins say that little
reflection ana sforlb rance 4 Wi i demon
strate tie wisdom az the course suggested.
"
IIoM ME- RULE DR. IsSs
The happy dreams Of home rule for
ireland indnlg ed IN SO long by patriotic
Irjshmens through out the world have Iie-
ceiyed q rude shock as a result of the
recent British elections. Until quite re-
Gently it seemed to many that the home
rule idea was about to be realized Only
a little more preli minary work was to re-
ceive attention ana the unhappy land
was 10 be restored to the Keeping and
control Of It's country en. The plague
spots OF vicious British legt slation were
to he wiped away and the memorable
days Of Grattan to return. Some enthu-
ssiasts went SO. far kas to proclaim that
they could ii fancy almost hear the
numbering tones Of the parlianhe ntary
orator III the leg tton halls in Dublin
in, advocacy OF beneficial measures for
the restoration Of the old land. But how
suddenly has come the change The
Liberal party has been driver. from pow
er and almost to the verge OF annihila-
ton, 50 far as any present hope for its
recovery is concerned. II has been bur-
led beneath an avalanche Of Tory votes
and the conservative element has sailed
into power on waves trump liant, amid
sounds Of Joyous and deafening music,
every note OF which seems! to be a knell
to the hopes OF ireland. That which was
bright and hopeful only yesterday has
Fturlied to bitterness today. ,5s
(. 1t is idle to say that this view lis too
pessimistic. It is not. Were one to be-
5lieye that It is always the darkest hour
just before dawn, there might be some
thing left on which to build a hope, but
while that kind Of philosophy may be
consoling to despairing mortals It will
not bear the test OF practical logic. Ire
lfuu- HUB l1tGiG IlOPC7 4OisHt,5 k1AAS AAoSs
nothing to hope for from her friends at
home and, to be permitted the use Of a
bull of the country. some Of her most
ardent friends are certainly her strong
est enemies. Legislation has drifted
along from bad to worse until it has
reached the most dismal stage. Let it
take. any shape but the one It has assumed
just now and II would be for the better.
When things are at the worst a change is
acceptable. I:
And yet amid all the gloom and morti-
fication there is still a ray Of hope, but
it appears on this side of the Atlantic
and not in the land to be benefited. The
Irish in America propose doing some-
thing, not In the way OF contributions
alone, for of that they are well-nigh
weary. but in the way Of concerted ac--
ton AS far as known the plans as yet
have not been defined. The proposition
is TO meet in mass convention and dis
cuss the situation and formulate a sys-
tenn of procedure. So far as the matter
has been talked Of already this meeting
will be more than one of mutual admira-
ton and laudatory speeches. The pass
ing Of resolutions would be the veriest
bornbast If these resolutions, sterling
In themselves, are not acted upon with
vigor and intelligence. In the fruits Of
such meeting lies Ireland's only hope.
And yet at best such gathering with
the deepest earnestness would be but the
rerest rift in the clouds. If speechmak-
Ing is futile and aggressiyeness must be
resorted to, what form will that agrees
sireness take? Is there any armed force
to oppose the power Of England? Ans
other wild raid into Canada would only
be productive of derisive laughter. Even
supposing every city and village in II the
Dominion, from Gaspi to Vancouver,
along the American border, were laid in
ashes by an invading army OF Irish
what then? Surprising the Canadians
were subdued and the green flag foated
triumphantly over Rideau Hall in Otta-
wa-wo,lld the irish at home wear better
clothes or eat richer food or have better
laws? These fantastic suggestions ny
potheses concerning the subjugation Of
Canada are offered because they exist In
the minds Of many people as a means
to an end. They are both amusing and
absurd. And yet conceding all this,
where else could England be attacked?
Would an armament cross the Atlantic
and attack her at home? Bah! u The he abb
surdity Of this attacking idea, whether e IN II
Canada OF the bombardment Of Liver
pool or London, Is q fairy tale for boys
to ponder over. 81 n. 4, I. 4, n 81
/ Leaving force then out Of the question
Will moral suasion avail The Tories
ana Liberal Unionists must laugh at
Ireland further attempts at constitn-
tional methods. Has not the Irish par
5liamentary party been the mouse for.