The Irish standard., 1900-05-19
LORD SALISBURY ON IRELAND. ~ e;

LVND SALISBURY ON IRELAND. IN
In speech at the annual celebration
OF the Primrose League in London last
week the Marquis of Salisbury, as prime
minister of England, declared that
"home rule for Ireland cannot be real
ized,' and that England will never con-
sent to give independence to the sister
isle. In the course OF his address he
said:
"Mr. Gladstone, in an evil moment
for the fame of the country and for his
party, attached himself to the idea OF
the separation of England and Ireland
There has been long struggle, but no
one can say the home rule cause presents
any elements of sanguine anticipation
for the future. 1t might be said that
the Irish idea would be realized and
that Mr.. Gladstone's aspirations would
be fulfilled. But I do not believe that
the causes which have once been we'll
beaten have reappeared to any purpose
in English history. Apart, however,
from the fate of former struggles, am
still assured that there is no hope OF the
predominant partner ever consenting to
give Ireland practical independence. We
have learned something from the South
African war. How disloyal govern
ment, in spite of warnings, could ac-
cumulate ornaments against the power
full connbatant, and thus secure terrible
advantage. We now know better than
we did ten years ago what risk it
would be if we gave disloyal govern
ment in ireland the power of accumu-
lating forces against this country. Mr..
Gladstone shattered his own party SO
that for the moment they are erased and
a powcrless factor in English politics.
But it must not be imagined that the
element is likely to be permanent"
Such language as this from the pre-
mier of England just as the queen had
returned from Ireland has elected wide
spread comments from all quarters of
the world. Why should Salisbury hurl
his shafts OF insult on the Irish people Oh
such an occasion? 1t is no insult, how
ever, to compare them with the Beers,
and would to God they possessed the
spirit OF independence that glows within
the breasts of Dom Paul and his people.
That the Boer government was disloyal
to England is sheer nonsense, 1t was
independent of England and did not
even acknowledge suzerainty.
How does he know that an Irish gov
eminent would be disloyal to the Brit
isll crown? The fact that Ireland in its
slavery has sent 5000 troops to fight the
Beers is no indication that her local
government would be antagonistic to
England. There was no evidence of dis
loyalty toward the queen during her
visit to ireland after the lapse of forty
years. Had Ireland parliament of her
own like Canada and Australia the peo-
pie would be more loyal than they are
to-day But what can be expected from
the Norman tyrant who threatened the
Irish few years ago with "nlanacles
or Manitoba" when they demanded a
redress of their grievances. We are
glad to find that the English people do
not endorse his brutal utterances.
Had Salisbury followed the example
of Gladstone in his treatment Of the
Irish and the Beers there would be no
war in South Africa and no danger to
the empire from Irish disaffection. Glad
stone believed that the granting Of
home rule to Ireland would strengthen
the empire, and he was right. He did
not contemplate separation of Eng
land and Ireland, as falsely alleged by
the Tory tyrant He did not intend to
give Ireland practical independence"
but the Irish were satisfied to take his
measure, imperfect as it was from ma
tional standpoint. Let Salisbury delay
the granting OF self-government to Ire
land in accordance with Gladstone's
idea, and the day will come when Eng
land must grant a great deal more.
John Redmond in speech in England
referred to Salisbury's speech and said
it was puerllc and absurd. He declared
that Irisllmen would make it inconven-
lent and dangerous for the Tory ministry
to withhold Irish rights and added: ct
is not by Cancellation and appeals to
loyalty that the grievances OF ireland
will be remedied"
The language OF Lord Salisbury should
arouse the Irish people from their leth-
argy. Now that they are united they
should renew their agitation for ma
tional rights with redoubled energy.
They should organize themselves into a
solid phalanx and prosecute an agita-
ton that will open the eyes OF their
oppressors. They should proclaim aloud
from their valleys and mountain tops
that ireland will contribute no more
soldiers to fight against liberty in
Asia or Africa Let them be up
and doing and millions OF exiled Irish
men will help them to gain their indie
pendence from British despotism. Eng
land stands without friend in the world
outside OF the Mckinley administration,