The Irish standard., 1901-11-30
THE ELECTION IN GALWAY.


Colonel Arthur Lynch, who was sent
by Golfers Weekly to South Africa as
its war correspondent, and who organ
lied n second Irish brigade to fight with
the Beers, has been elected member of
parliament for the city Of Galway by
the Irish Nationalists. Horace Plunkett
was his Tory opponent-an excellent
man in many respects-but because OF
his politics he was beaten by big
majority. The Irish are jubilant over
the victory. Galway was carried at
the previous election by son of the
late Lord Morris, to the intense disgust
of every Home Ruler. Now the city is
redeemed by the election Of the gallant
Arthur Lynch, an Irish-Australian by
birth, and probably descendant Of the
famous Lynch who was mayor of Gal
way in the same year that Columbus
discovered America.
But they say that Colonel Lynch is
ineligible, because he fought with the
Beers against the British in the South
African war. Perhaps he is, though
John Redmond says he is not. The
leader of the Irish parliamentary party,
being interviewed on the subject in Chi
cago, said: '"There is one thing would
like to state emphatlcally, and that is
that Colonel Lynch most assuredly win
be seated in the House of Commons de-
was elected and is man Of ability.
The mere fact that he served in the Boer
army does not make him traitor to
England, for that is just anu an hon.
orable warfare"
Colonel Lynch himself Is in Paris and
says he will take his seat. despite the
fact that he commanded an irish brig
ade in the Transvaal against the Brit
ish. In an interview he is reported us
saying:
'There is no law by which my cleo
ton can be annulled. I intend to take
my seat and fight tooth and nail for the
cause Of Ireland in spite Of all opposl-
ton. 1t is true l fought against Eng
land, but that was merely the logical
carrying out of convictions animating
the entire Nationalist party. Therefore,
il 1 am excluded the rest of the party
must also be shut out The British gov
eminent has not got courage enough to
take such step, even If 1t could be JUS
titled in such action"
The Tory government is exceedingly
irrltated over the victory of the Irish
Nationalist in Galway. One of the
London correspondents admits that the
election Of Colonel Lynch has exas,
perated the entire English people and
that "the natural result will be revival
Of a hostile attitude towards Ireland in
England, harsher governmental meth
DDS and measures, and, in word to
render the Home Rule question acuter
than ever"
The Irish people do not care one lota
for the angry feelings In England over
the Galway election. They nominated
and elected Lynch to compliment him
on his record in South Africa and to
express their sympathy with the Beers.
Dublin Castle ordered hundreds of
armed policemen to Galway to create
a riot, but 1t appears the ruf1lans failed
to kill anyone with their batons. The
Nationalist celebrated their victory by
promenading the streets with bands and
lighted torches, but they did not smash
the windows Of all houses that had neg
lected to illuminate, as the Tory reports
allege. That kind Of work Is done by
the Orangemen.
We attended the Carlow election In
1891 when the police attempted to Gre
ate riot by order of the government,
but Catholic priest threatened to lead
the people against the constabulary IL
they did not cease their interference and
withdraw from the meeting. Had they
not retired they would have been driven
into the river and drowned.
Colonel Lynch is not the first rebel
who has been elected to the British par
Lament by the Irish. Tipperary elected