The Irish standard., 1904-09-10

tons or compromise on our part. And
they had to pay every penny of the
cost.
1T was, again I say, their dread of
a united force; it was dread or the
support of you, my countrymen, that
forced the withdrawal Of the suit for
damages. Your support has been our
mainstay.
s'The passage of the land bill last
year was the result of the assistance
Of our countrymen in the United
States. And this, my friends, is Il
measure of statute reform that placed
on the books the principles Of the
Land League of 1879.
Il attribute all these results to the
moral and material support Of the
brethren here. Now what is the real
meaning Of the support of Irish-Amer-
leans? You have renewed the last
serious obstacle in the path of home
rule.
eff two years ago had promised
that if you would aid us we would
get the English government to recog-
nike the principles Of the Land League
you would have thought that 1 had
taken leave of my senses. OF course
there are some defects in this bill. Is
it to be supposed that any measure
1t has cost the government $600OO0,-
600 to carry out the transaction. and
already property to the value of $780,
100000 has passed from the landlord
to the tenant. In ten or fifteen years
practically all the land Of Ireland
will have changed ownership.
THE land movement, however, is
but means to an end. 1t is not
agrarian in character, but move
ment for the emancipation of the peo-
pie and the establishment of national
self-government in Ireland.
"IIome rule is the issue and moth
ing short of home rule will satisfy the
people of Ireland.
"The home rule movement has fail
ed largely because we have in our
midst men who have been dependent
in their home life, who are slaves to
alien landowners. Am l to be told
that because I'd free these men the
cause Of Irish Nationalsm will fail?
"Those who speak after this fashion
have little faith in the cause of Irish
+ Nationalism.
"a pet argument of our English
friends against the establishment of
home rule, and against granting the
demands for the liberty of the Irish
people, is that We're national self. gov
eminent established the Catholic body,
being in the majority, would rob and
Cypress their fellow countrymen.
They would give the world tue i'm
preston that our Protestant brethren,
those who happen to differ with us in
religious belief, would be completely
suppressed. Is it true? 1t is not!
I'VE can refute this charge by the
strongest argument that any rational
person may he expected to advance.
Protestant gentlemen have been
elected to seats in Parliament from a
constituency almost wholly Catholic.
Why? Because they, like every hon
est man in Ireland. are fighting to
make the country independent OF
British rule.
My friends, there is here OH this
platform tonight colleague Of mine
and distinguished gentlemen, Who
In his own person. refutes this argu-
ment, because he himself is Prot
estant in belief, and has been elected
to the seat he now holds by con-
stituency that is wholly Catholic. l
refer to Captain Donelan, one of the
best of the Irish party to-day"
Here Mr.. Redmond turned to Cap
tain Donelan and the entire audience
arose and applauded wildly.
"a third argument advanced
against home rule is that the land
lords would be robbed, that they
would never get back the value of,
their property. In few years time
the land act, passed by the same per-
sons who advanced this argument,
will remove this obstacle. 1t is COSTLY.
maybe, but am sure the price is not
too high to get rid Of the landlord for
all time.'
Mr.. Redmond then dwelt brify on
the difference of opinion among Irish
men regarding the proper methods of
obtaining freedom. II have no quar-
REL" he said, with those Of my coun-
trymen who honestly differ with US
and are working in other ways for
their country. All ask is fair play
and no favors for our party. can
assure liberation for every one who
believes in different methods. Any.
how, my friends, we represent Ire
land and we have never yet turned our
backs aaginst our mother country.
up to the present time there have
been many planks on our platform
now there should be but one, home
rule. I appeal to our race the world
over to concentrate their efforts on