The Irish standard., 1900-02-10

stand on the broken arch of London
bridge and sketch the ruins of St.
Paups.
Is that wheeY of England rising or is
it falling? Is England to-day what she
was fifty years ago, in her first alliance
with Napoleon III? She had finger
in every pie in Europe; England to-day
has no more to say in the affairs of En-
rope than the emperor Of China. An
empire begins to totter and decay when
it withdraws its forces from the outly-
ing provinces, as the decay of the Ro-
man empire began when the Roman le-
gions were withdrawn from Britain.
England, that over hundred years
ago fought the united colonies OF
America as long as she could put man
into the field, has changed her policy.
An empire is crumbling to decay when
she begins to buy off her enemies, as in
the case of the Roman empire, when
she began to buy off the Scythians and
Thracians, and the barbarians that
came upon her before she fell
A few years ago England was pre-
sented with little bill by America.
She: Jonathan, 1 owe you nothing"
John Bull buttoned up his pocket and
swore he would not pay cent. Then
America said: Look here, John, il
you don't like this" and he hauled out a
sword and put it one hand and said,
take whichever you like" John Bull
paid the bill, as usual to his superiors
Really it looks very much as if the day
of the visit Of Macauley's New Zea-
lander were rapidly approaching. II
England has proved anything in her
treatment OF Ireland, she has proved
this general proposition, that although
the Almighty God lavished upon the
English people many gifts, yet there is
one gift he never gave them, that of
knowing how to govern another people.
10 govern Il people requires, first of
all, strict justice; second, to have the
interest OF the people at heart-their
real interests. With the above facts
before the world, you, Mr.. Editor, seem
to be astonished that men of Irish
blood cannot forget the wholesale rob-
berry, entire conhscation of Ireland, the
shedding of SO much innocent blood the
past seven hundred years, by the most
blood-thirsty government that ever
cursed the civilized world. Great God,
what all astonishment to come from the
talented editor of great American
newspaper.
1t is true that Irish Americans con-
stltute portion of those who are in
sympathy with the Transvaal and its
sister republic, because they love lib
erty. The principle which should de-
tcrminc our bearing toward the South
African war is not what may be en-
pected from us, but what is right. II
justice is OH the side of the Beers, we
should extend to them our good will,
no matter what consideration might
suggest an opposite policy. 1t is only
lair to assume that those who express
sympathy with the republics of South
Africa are animated by worthy mo.
tives; that their actions are inspired by
an honest love of justice rather than by
blind hate of England.
You claim that it was because Eng
land was in full sympathy with the
spirit of humanity and the love OF lib
crty which inspires our war with Spain,
that she became our passive ally in that
war, and made impossible the interview
ton OF the European powers who were
eager to support the cause OF Spain.
Nonsense! Dewey and his gallant sailor
boys sent terror to the hearts OF our
enemies the world over. 1 believe it is
an error of judgment on your part to
suppose that the sympathy OF men Of
Irish lineage with the Beers is simply
owing to the treatment they have re-
ceived at the hands of England.
One word more and 1 am done.
do not wish to be understood as
connecting the masses OF the English
people with actions of their govern
ment, as my best friends are among
them. In conclusion, my daily prayer
is that the patriots who are sacrificing
their lives for freedom may overcome
their enemies. p. H. Rahiliy