Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-06-03
PEOPLE ABOVE ALL PARTIES.

Ireland, so 1ar as COHCSIuS TIC
future welfare of the people, seems
to be appreciated by the thoughtful
men of all parties, including many
who have not heretofore been looked
upon as favorable to Irish national
ity. These latter manifest no disap-
pointment over their recent defeat
by the more advanced national ele-
ment, but seem disposed to accept
the change, and some of them ven
ture suggestions, which, being de-
void of all sentimentalism, are wise
and dispassionate views from the
standpoint of fact, admonitions
against rashness, looking to more
certain and lasting national unity
and progress.
Among those is Lord Castletown,
a Unionist. He approves of the
Councils, as he has always held that
Ireland was entitled to the same
local government as the English,
and believes that more of home rule
will come eventually to the Irish
people if the Councils act
wisely on business lines. He
says the Councils should con-
fine themselves principally to
questions of local administration,
taxation, financial and business af-
fairs of their constituencies, and
where they find that any unequal
burden or injustice is borne by their
people under the law or in its en-
forcement, to vigorously seek re-
dress, not by meetings and speeches,
but in a practical way by needed
legislation or in the courts. That
to bring about more uniform local
laws the Councils should endeavor
to secure for Ireland the approval
of legislative bills for her people.
But he disapproves of the Councils
entertaining or adopting resolutions
demanding home rule for Ireland
as premature, a departure from
their real and more pressing duties of
perfecting and carrying on the local
government of their districts; in
measure partisan and likely to dis
turb the peace and harmony of the
people in support of the Councils
in the real purposes for which they
are established-that the success of
local home rule will be likely fol-
lowed by national home rule.
Lord Castletown suggestions are
wise, his advice sound, and his
warning of danger in the County
Councils taking up so soon the ques-
ton of national home rule is entitled
to serious consideration, and gen
orally the views of he and others
who have opposed nationalism are
being so regarded.
The partisans, of course, doubt
their sincerity, pick flaws, hint at
schemes and covert treachery. But
if Ireland is to be benefited by the
placing of the powers OF govern
ment in the hands of the people,
the situation must be accepted in
good faith, and all the people, re-
CARELESS of past differences, of par
ties, conditions and interests, must
be trusted, and the governing pow
err, no matter by what party or class
controlled, must so legislate and
exercise authority as to further the
welfare and protect the rights of the
whole people. This, of course,
means change not desired by some
of the politicians, whose shibboleth
is Ireland and her wrongs, but
whose real purpose will now soon
be made plain. The test of SINGER
ity will be applied to them. If they
hold party, or pet theories, or part
isan spite, or sectional hate, or per-
sonal ambition, above the real in
terest and welfare Of their country
and people, they will prove lacking
in that one essential of the patriot