The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-07-25

People Govern Themselves BY q
Law Higher Than That
rlade by nan. ia. X
Ireland's constancy has been unequal-
| ed in the worlds history. The conflict
has'gone on for 700 years, yet it is Wagea
with as much determination as If it were
only beginning. Again and. again she
lay helpless, with the heel of her oppres-
sor crushing out her nationa. life., Her
fields were laid waste, her homes made
desolate and her children exiled or
butcherel. To subdue Or extirpate the
race was ever the policy of the conquer
or, but neither succeeded. When her an
Inhalation seemed complete, she arose,
| phoenix-like, 10 mock and menace her
prosecutor, writes DR.. Justin J. Spreng in
the Irish World. =, s.
Ireland's prolonged resistance to Eng
lish rule is constant declaration that
there shall be no peace for the wicked
among men or nations. 1t is an encour-
agement to every one battling for Justice
Fhe truth may be crushed for time, but
it shall eventually prevail. The weak
may be oppressed and wrong continue
generation after generation, but time
shall vindicate the justice of God: For
seven long centuries Ireland's cry. for
justice has re-echoed through the vaults
of heaven. Her demands were simply
that she might be allowed to enjoy her
own. England has no right to rule Ire
land, and neither England nor ireland
shall have peace until Ireland is allowed
to govern herself
NY assertion may be rather bold, but
the sentiment finds an echo in every true
Irish heart. Nothing less can satisfy the
cravings of the Irish soul, and Irish Ma:
tionalists cannot unite on any platform
which even tacitly admits England S
right to rule The sentiment of nation.
atty is just as strong today as 1t was in
the dark and bloody hours when men laid
down their lives that their mother-land
might live. 49,
No concessions can ever satisfy the de-
mands of justice. Every political ques-
ton becomes insignificant when COM
pared with the rights of the people to
govern themselves. The days of the penal
laws may be past and religious freedom
may be a reality. Priests are no longer
hunted as wolves, education is not pun
ished with death, and the Surplus; popu-
lation'' may find it's way to foreign lands,
instead of dying on the roadside, or
crowding poorhouses at home. ALI these,
are mere installments of what is yet to
come. A robber is not just until he re-
stores every cent of his ill-gotten gain,
and no power on earth can stifle Irelands
cries until her right to govern herself is
fully recognized.
The right of nation to govern itself is
as old as society, and the doctrine that
the people. are the. immediate source of
political power is co-equal with divine
revelation. There is no authority in the
world that is not from God. Nations ex-
list, and governments have sprung up,
but neither king nor beggar can boast of
a special decree of heaven comforting on
him divine right to WELD political
power over his fellow men.
The immediate source of political power
must be somewhere in the world. Where
is it? 1t is with the people. The parental
authority never ceases, but when several
families or tribes coalesce to form ma
ton government becomes a necessity.
Without it public order would disappear
and chaos would spring up. AS yet there
are no laws to create distinctions. What
ever authority there is, it is with parents.
Parental authority is limited, however, to
the respective families When govern
ment is formed it has no valid existence
except with the tacit or expressed con-
sent Of the people.
The right to govern nation cannot be
acquired by conquest. Ages may elapse
after the conquest but the government
remains illegtimate until the popular
consent is secured. The doctrine has been
taught in the schools for hundreds of
years.
The science of government is no longer.
confined to few, for the people are ev-
erywhere clamoring for their rights.
Ireland was an organized nation before
tion long before the palmiest days of
Greece and Rome. She was known
among the Pagans as the Sacred Isle,
and after her conversion she became the
Isle of Saints and of Doctors When
England was in state little better than
barbarous, Ireland's sons were preaching
and teaching in every part of Europe.
Unfortunately, discord sprung up and di-
visions came. England profited by the
opportunity A divided Ireland became
a prey to the ruthless invader, but Eng
lands right to rule has no better founda,-
ton than conquest. Ireland never acqui-
esced in her subjugation. Through CEN
turtles Of blood she declared that no power
OH earth could deprive her of her right to
govern herself, and her every battle: was
for nationhood. 1t is mistake that Ire
lands trials were all for religion. Eng
lands brutalities went on for three long
centuries before religious discord came.
Those wrongs were never -righted A.
union of Ireland's sons will obtain all
that martyrs died for. Let them unite on
the platform that England has no right
to rule Ireland.
LORD RUSSELL AS A JUDGE
60 - i5SsfS a Is.
CONTINUED from first page.) J. ~
himself or claim any privilege on account
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