Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-20

the English parliament at one object 1t has gained many. An active poli- tician from the states upon landing on Irish soil is very liable to ask:
 Well, boys, an how's things?'
 And his invariable answer will be as 1t was to us.
 Faith, yer honor, they're the same to-day as they were twenty years ago."
 But inquiry will reveal that this answer comes from mere force of habit. That Ireland as political center, as political problem, if you please, is far ahead and more enter prising than any country in the world, and, that in return for this enterprise it has gained more than it possibly could in any other way.
 The doctrine established by MT Parnell, legislative agitation, has gained more for Ireland than 1t pos sibly could have gained in any other way in any length of time. But not withstanding that Parnelrs body is fast returning to the clay whence it came, his enemies still live in Ireland, just as O'ConnelPs libelers will lin- ger through generations.
 It is Il pity to see the difference of opinion upon the objects aimed at by LhC lIdllOHdllSLS HI puIIAulIlCllI. AC ID wonder how so much difference can find room for expression for one would think that in it's declining pop ulation the minority would be the first to quit the country. But they seem to hold their own; at least enough to make themselves felt as we say here, or the parliament is still inclined to give more attention to their chances.
 From the visitors standpoint, how ever, and especially if the visitor is native of the country, Ireland Is prac- tically free. Her people have all that an American enjoys, except pos. sibly the numerous avenues of indus trial inclination which are his here. On that point alone is he hemmed in. If he lacks a position he cannot have his choosing as he would here; but must accept the best he can find. But very soon if the expectations of the numerous industrial organizations which are established all over Ireland are at all realized, that unfortunate discrepancy will not be felt for, as has been stated in the first of this series Of articles, Ireland Is progress ing industrially and very rapidly, too.
 On this matter of political liberty the Irishman's is the same as the Americans so far as the inquiries Of the writer revealed. Every man or major age is entitled to vote, provid- ed he has certain qualifications. which in a general way are the same as ex- ist in this country The Trishman born in the country can vote provided he is of age, is house holder, and has not been convicted of certain crimes. He, however, may belo ma- for age and not be a voter, but this IS because he may not have struck out for himself in the world and is still sheltered by the parental roof. one who ssroo1ns" may have q vote, but not, necessarily so. Therefore, one can see in minute that the Irishman enjoys as much political liberty as the American.
 Such is one of the many. fruits of ages of agitation in one form and an other for when the Irishman was hunted from one field Of legitimate political enterprise he immediately found another. The land league was the first form and from that sprung various other organiza- tions of legitimate agitation, but legitimate only and until Englanu nad enacted law suppressing 1t. Finally from the bones and embers of aglta- ton in a score of different forms sprung the United Irish league ana under this banner the Irish members in parliament are fighting to-day as sturdily and as vigorously IS ever.
 The battles of five hundred years have not weakened their ranks; the coercion that crammed Ire1and's jails to overcrowding worked its way ana brought many sturdy patriot to an early grave but failed to stifie the cry for political and industrial freedom. The jails of Kilmainham and Cork, Limerick and Galway, Anri or Wex- ford were not cold nor damp nor death-dealing enough to Kill the cause of ireland Coercion In all It's fearful and horrible forms failed 10 crush the cause that Emmet and Sheares and Wolfe Tone and the Manchester martyrs died for ana Gladstone gave up in despair what others after him have failed in ac- complaining.
 The land act passed in 1903 did more for Ireland than all the coercion employed by all the prime ministers and governors of Ireland ever trled. It brought peace and contentment and some prosperity to Ireland, ana in this place it may be said that prop ably in no other country in the world would such an act of parliament as that land bill be attempted. This bill gave to the farmers the right 10 buy their land if they wished to buy 1t. The average citizen of the world may express surprise that the lrisn farmer had not always enjoyed this privilege. The fact that he had not, nd the other fact that he wished for it, was the crowning cause or Ire lands discontent. It was for that that many noble young Irishman died ingloriously on the scaffold or In prison cell, or in the far foreign lands from Dunkirk to Belgrade, where lie the soldiers and chiefs of the Irish brigade.
 Yes, in general way the Irishman of to-day enjoys the same political liberty as the American, and yet he is crying for more. The land act just referred to seems to have merely whetted his appetite for more. Farm