The Irish standard., 1900-02-24

dilu continuously proclaimed that the
Irish cannot unite" Will the union
last? There is no reason to think
otherwise. The truth is, and one veri-
fed by the centuries, that no race or
people have ever been more united on
the issue OF nationality. Physically and
mentally active and aggressive as the
1rishman is, he is not easily led or
herded, but when his country's liberty
is the call he never faltcrs. After hear
ing how completely and unreservedly
the Irish parliamentary divisions we're
healed one OF the leaders OF the liberal
party remarked: Il wish we liberals
had as much faith and trust and hon
est purpose as you Irishmen."
The London Times is, of course, dis
gruntled, but consoles itself with this
splenetic remark: "We are glad, for
our own part, that the Irish separatist
factions have again revealed themselves
i'll their true colors. At this crisis in
the fortune OF the empire all true and
loyal citizens have right to be as
sured who are friends and who are foes.
They will be glad to have reasons that
cannot be contested for shaking them
selves loose from 'cntanging alliances
of disrepulablc character" The
Times is especially troubled by the fact
that between the reunited party and the
United Irish league an alliance seems
inevitable. This latter organization had
not OF late the unqualified support Of
either the Parncllitcs or the Hcalyites,
as it appeared in danger OF forgetting
somewhat its original programme OF
"thc land for the people," and bccom-
ing another political faction. Now,
however, as that is embraced with all
the parties in the unity movement it
will become by its numbers and de-
fant attitude toward the castle and
grasping landlordism a potent factor in
the campaign for nationality about to
be inauguratcd on the old lines and
with the old independent aggressive
ness.
The Westminster Gazette, one OF the
brightest and most independent OF
London daiics, looks upon the Irish
Parliamentary situation from a calm
and argumentativc standpoint. The
breaking away of the Irisl, members Of
parliament from all English parties
and the return to Parncll's policy OF
absolute independence would be it says,
il there had been no war, regarded as
OF first-class Importance in the history
OF English politics. The Gazette adds
so far from home rule having been
killed by kindness, the home rulers,
between thcm have gone far to kill
the British party system and by their
command OF eighty-six votes are even
now rendering the fate OF parties and
the future government of the country a
matter OF dangerous uncertainty To
reduce Our institutions TO chaos is the
revenge which Ireland takes for our
refusal OF home rule. II the new solidar-
lty means anything it means that par
lament and English parties arc again
face to face will, the problem whicl,
Mr. Gladstone thought insolublc except
by one course, which has broken down.
That problem is the presence in the
house Of commons OF eighty-fvc de-
tacEcd votes, counting 40 on a divi-
sion, governed by stratcgical motives
and liable to be suddenly shifted from
one side to the other" The man in
the street, continues the Gazette, will
no doubt tell us that it matters not at
all what the Irish members think or
say or do, but it is not in the least OF
that opinion. The fact that all the
Irish parties rcunitc to take advantage
OF the difficulties OF Great Britain the
Gazette regards as of profound signih-
ancc "and no Englishman can regard
it with indifference or with a clear
conscience. We shall be told of course,
that the Irish are now, by their hostil-
lty, demonstrating to us the follies and
dangers OF home rule. That seems to
us exceedingly superficial. They are
showing in Our view and for the thir-
ticth time the serious results of our
continued failure to find policy which
will conciiatc Ireland"
"Thc action OF the Irish party" says
that able liberal weekly, the Speaker,
means tlls-tiat we arc about to be
reduced by their concerted action in
the present crisis to the same dilemma
as vcxcd England fifteen to twenty
years ago. Ireland has proved herself
subnationality within the empire.
With such policy there are two ways
OF dcaling-you may occupy militariy
and govern dcspotically, or you may
grant local sclf-govcrnmcnt. There is
no other way. Every day increases The
bitterness and makes the impossibiity
OF third course more impossible
There must be no more talk OF pre-
dominant partners; it is not position
to be outflankcd by gcntlcmanly breach
cs of faith. A liberal will have soon
TO ask himself the question once for ALL
Am l in favor OF home rule or am in
favor of coercion?' and unless he knows
his own mind the party name may a
few months hence be once more en-