The Irish standard., 1903-07-25

the whole constitutional system Of
Ireland was supplanted by brutal
despotism, the center of which was in
Dublin castle, the Land League has
been converted into splendidly Or
ganized national body. representing in
all its details the intelligence, the
patriotism and the just demands of
the Irish people. Under the influence
of this organization the old and dis
astrous differences between Ulster and
the other Irish provinces on the great
question of Irish land tenure have dis,
appeared, and Mr.. L. w. Russell, once
the representative of Ulster unionism,
now stands side by side on the land
question with John Dillon and Will
lam O'Brien. The direct and imme-
date result of this new condition of
things is the land BILL so lately intro
duced by Il Conservative adn>inistra
ton. That measure at the time when
I am writing this article is still on its
way through the house of commons,
but whatever may be its fate in par
lament, the very fact that it has been
brought in, and by Il Conservative
government. is enough to show that
the Irish land tenure question has
come within sight of a full and final
settlement. For the first time in the
modern history of our island we have
had the representatives of the land
lord class and the tenant class COM
ing to a full agreement as to the basis
of settlement and we have had Il
those terms as the conditions of Il
legislative measure. 'Ncstigna nulla
retrorslm" when that point has been
reached.
Even a greater evidence of Ire
lands progress is to he seen in the
fact that we have now the whole ma
ton thoroughly and adequately rep
resented in its own national consult
ing body. The Dublin convention
was an Irish parliament elected by
Irishmcn discussing the measures
best adapted for Ircland's welfare,
listening attentivcly and considerable
ly to every difference of opinion and
coming to a final and definite agree
ment The Dublin convention was
the most important event in the his
tory of our national progress. Even
the Tory newspapers most pertina
ciously opposed to IreaDd's claims
have recognized the forbearance, the
perfect order and the willingness to
hear every individual opinion which
marked the whole of these debates
and the complete sincerity of the de-
cisions which We're adopted. There,
then, we have the authorized demand
of the Irish people proclaimed in clear
and commanding tones. The English
government, whether it be Liberal or
Tory. which fails to recognize the
authority of that proclamation must
know that it has to deal not with any
mere political organization. but with
the embodied resolve of the Irish
race at home and abroad Thus, for
the first time united Ireland stands
up and presents hcr demands to the
imperial parliament. This is the new
Ireland which will lienccforth have to
be dealt with by the imperial govern
ment. Tho spirits of Grattnn, of o.
Cornell and Of Parncl might we'll be
invoked to sanctify that genuine union
of IrShmcn who love their country,
who know her wants, are prepared to
realize her aspirations. and have faith
in her progress. |
All this has been done for us with
in the past quarter of a century
these are our gains. | am now but
n mere observer of the Irish National
movement. and perhaps for that very
reason am the better able to judge
from my remote and secluded posi-
ton the actual import Of these great
changes which have lately taken place
in our national conditions. Surveying
the prospect in all its proportions and
it's lights. am proud to be able T."
express my absolute conviction that
the new Ireland has arisen and that
our dearest NATIONAL hopes 81: on the
eve of consummation. 1t is we'll for
those Irishmcn who have lived to see
the coming of such day.