The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-03-29

I land, too, changed her attitude on the
question of national government
and on the character of her demand.
That statement is untrue (cheers).
Ireland today, on this question of ma
tional self-government, stands precise
ly in the same position that Ireland
stood under the leadership of Parnell
(cheers). The Irish Parliamentary
party today stahds with precisely the
same position us the irish party ,in-
der Parnell, and the demand Of the
Irish people today is precisely the
same-namely, that they should have
the power Of managing all purely
Irish affairs for themselves, free from
stupid, ignorant, and meddlesome in
reference of men who do not under
stand our needs, and who are not con-
cerned in the settlement Of our local
problems (cleers). And it is worthy
Of notice that neither Lord Rosebery
nor Mr.. Asquith has declared that the
creation Of IN Irish parliament for
such purpose is unjust or wrong in
ITSELF Their position is SO difficult a
one by reason of their past connection
with this question that they could not
make such a declaration. These men
solemnly and after due deliberation
declared that, in their opinion, the con-
cessiOn Of an Irish parliament Of the
character have indicated was just
in itself, and it is impossible for them,
Mt the commencement Mt any rate of
their policy Of recamation, to tnke up
n different position. But what they
say Is that, under existing circum-
stances, such policy is n difficult one,
that the predominant partner has not
yet been convinced Of the Justice of
this cause, and THAT the project is, in
the words of Mr.. Asquith, still regard
cd with rooted repugnance by large
number Of English people, and, there
fore, they say that the policy ought to
be abandoned. Now, this is seriously
put forward as n policy likely to in.
spire and reunite grcnt political par-
ty In this country. Not principle, not
truth, not justice-no, but mere pol
icy of expedicncy (chcers)-the cult, in
other words, Of the jumping cat
Qnughter). Let me for one moment
look Mt this, if can, from an English
point of view. But what humilia-
tion for the Liberal Party! The Lib
eral party Of England have always
had as their proud boast that they
were the uphOlders of nntionalites;
that they were the friends of the
friendlcss, the champions Of the op-
pressed, the party of ideas and ideals
n party ready to go out into the will
derness in defence Of n just idea.
Now all that is changed. IDEALS prin-
ciples, creeds, convictions are held to
be mere hyblown phylacteries by
Lord ROsebery, and the new policy Of
the Liberal party propounded at the
time, which, mind you, is to unite and
rally and inspire that party is-the
new policy of expediency (cheers). It
seems to me that the whole policy
of the Chesterfield and Liverpool
speeches might be we'll summed up
with paraphrase of Pope's immortal
couplet:
"For truth and principle let fools con-
test.
Expediency, not Justice, is the test"
daughter and cheers. And, for my
part, desire to say that if that is to
be the rallying cry which it is hoped
will unite and inspire the Liberal par
ty, believe 1t is destined to failure.
do not believe 1t is possible that any
great political party can ever be raj
lied by policy of expediency; and,
for my part, I am convinced that IL
that is to be the character of the Lib
eral party in the future, none Of us,
not the youngest man in this room,
will ever live to see that party in
power (cheers). 1t is only fifteen years
since the Liberal party took up the
policy Of home rule, and now 1t Is
said that that policy is to be aban-
] doned-not because tits unjust, not