The Irish standard., 1904-08-27

have one opportunity of having Il free
talk upon public affairs (cheers).
We have one safety valve in case of
dissension, and that is only to be used
in the last resort-that which tells
every man that in a supreme issue he
is not bound to act with the others,
but must be very competent man
who is prepared to stake his single
judgment against the judgment of the
great majority of his party (cheers).
But even in that supreme case he
can, of course, escape from what would
in such circumstances be an appalling
responsibility by no longer filling the
place which makes him responsible
(cheers) He has the resort which is
the last resort and which wherever the
sad occasion shall arise for the indi-
vidual and the party for it's exercise,
ought to be accompanied, in my judg-
ment, by absolute retcence and self
restraint on the part of the man who
thinks it necessary to take that course,
and he had much better remain in the
judgment of the country in the wrong
than seek to set himself right by PROV
ing his party in the wrong (cheers,.
There is one other of our obligations
to which also I wish to refer-our
obligation to submit to the decision Of
a national convention. l here indorse
that obligation. l do not pretend that
conventions, any more than any other
human assembly, are infallible. l do
not pretend that their decisions are
unavoidable. l do not pretend that
one convention may not moderate the
policy of another. All these propo-
sitions are self-evident, but, while the
ought to be honestly obeyed (cheersy.
I want to state that one or two things
which, in my Judgment, are not I'M
important in the efficacy and advance
and improvement which may be made
in our social system.
believe that national conventions,
chosen as our national conventions are
chosen, are the best and most compe-
tent Instruments that the wit of man
can devise for thoroughly, adequately
and effectually propounding what is
the national sentiment upon subjects
which have been thoroughly discussed
throughout the nation beforehand.
Where there has been no opportunity
for such discussion, where there ore
novel proposals or very complicated
proposals made, of course, this c!e-
ment of certainty in the ascertain
mcnt of national sentiment by the de-
cision of national convention does
not so fully obtain. and the deficiencies
which almost wholly apply to such Il
case in the system become more appnr-
ent-they are Inherent. I want to make
this practical tatcment-that the in
ference | draw is that steps are A.
ways to be taken to secure, as far as
public eXigency will allow, the oppor-
tunity for tllrcshing out beforehand
the subjects which are likely to he fin
ally decided upon in convention and
tile proposals to be made in convention
should be clear. and, us far rs possible.
on lines which have become familiar
to the people Before the convention
assemblies, SO that there is the least
possible opportunity for suppression,
and that the exceptions to these gen
eral rules should only be exceptions Of
to our party decisions and as to our
national decisions, l believe we could
work out, without stress or strain upon
the conscience of any man, act fully
and loyalty upon the decisions of the
party and upon the decisions Of the
convention. What are the other obli-
cations of the members of this party?
They are two and two only-the obli-
cations we owe to our constituents,
fairly to tell them our opinions and
fully and frankly to represent them.
OF the obligations which we owe to
our conscience the most sacred obi
CATION of all is to act according ia
that conscience to the most sacred OBJ
ligatiOn of all is to act according to
that conscience to the best of our
judgment in the advice we give and
the course we take in the interests of
Ireland. l believe that this party en-
Joys the confidence of the country In
the policy it has pursued this session.
and that the country will respond tC
any view l express and respond tt
any appeal that we may make for help
to carry out these objects, and fol
that policy in the future (cheers). And
so with this humble contribution from
one of the rank and file upon the pres
ent situation. which l make with 9
full sense of responsibility, but which
I should be a coward in my judgment
if l failed to make upon such an occa
sion as this. 1 thank you once moro
from the bottom of my heart for this
uneXampled mark of your kindness
1 thank you, and l say that never til
my dying day can forget, and neve
till my dying day can the memory O
this night grow dim in my heart (out
and prolonged applause).
MIR. I. P. O'CONNOR ON TIKI
PARTY LEADERSHIP.
Mr.. 4. r. O'Connor, NJ. p, propose,