The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-08-27
BON VOYAGE.

| uDOuC Ine compliment palu on FRIDAY
night to Mr.. Redmond on the eve of
his departure to attend the bi-annuai
convention of the Irish-Americans as
| sembled in New York from the most
remote corners of the states, says the
Dublin Freeman Of August 10. The
chairman Of the Irish party and of the
Irish organization in Ireland was en-
tertained by the representatives of the
| Irish organization in Great Britain.
Here, indeed, is proof, so plain that
no man can miss it, Of the power and
| solidarity of the Irish movement. The
speeches at the meeting were full of
| confidence in the future. In Ireland,
in Great Britain, and in America the
outlook Is bright. But. above all, the
necessity of united action in the Irish
forces was strenuOusly and eloquently
enforced. In letter in which he en-
pressed his deep regret that he was
not able to participate in the compli-
ment to Mr.. Redmond, Mr.. John Dill
Ion gave his full and warm adhesion
to the policy, contained in the letter
Of the chairman's, on unity, and the
encouragement of speculations and re-
ordinations concerning the past. By
that policy Mr.. Dillon, for his part,
pledged himself loyalty to abide. Mr..
T. p. O'Connor, who as chairman of
the United Irish League of Great Bri-
tain presided at the banquet, was also
in hearty accord with the spirit of that
letter. On the present and the future
he declared, and not the past, they
must concentrate themselves. The
Irish had learned by bitter experience
the horrors Of dissension. They
would not suffer themselves to lapse
back into that helpless and hopeless
condition. especially when the pros
poets of the Irish movement seem so
fair.
Mr.. Redmond's speech dealt largely
with the same absorbing topic. He
had CHEEKY message, he declared,
for their true Irish friends beyond the
Atlantic who had so often and so
faithfully sustained their movement
in times of difficulty and danger. He
was assured that in his absence a
policy of united and active agitation
would be pursued in Ireland, and he
expressed his deep regret that the i'm
perative duty to Irish-Americans
which called him away prevented his
participating in that policy. To the
Irish organization in Great Britain lie
paid high tribute as the power that
would shape the next British govern
ment, and that would shape it as SEEM
ed best in the interest of Ireland.
Whatever be the result of the next
general election, Ireland was, he said,
sure to be the gamer. A weak Union
F; list government, weak Liberal gov
eminent, or even strong Liberal gov
ernment, none of the three could fail
to aid the home rule movement for
| Ireland. There was weak Tory gov
eminent dependent on Irish support
before Gladstone declared publicly for
home rule, and Lord Salisbury pro-
ceeded to negotiate with Mr.. Parnell
through his viceroy. If Unionist
government should by any chance
come back to the house of commons
after the general election that history
will repeat itself. 1t is not easy to
imagine a strong Liberal government.
The Unionists have still nominal
majority of close on hundred, count
ing the Irish support to the Liberals.
But If the Irish were to take the
other side, the majority to be wiped
out ut the general election would be
two hundred and fifty before even an
equal balance could be secured. Be-
sides the great majority of the Liberal
party are still true to their home rule
pledges. No Liberal government could
be formed strong enough to face the
combined attack of the Irish forces if
home rule was betrayed. But, as Mr.
Redmond pointed out, the task is fal
easier than when Mr.. Gladstone. with
such splendid courage and eloquence
attempted, and. so far as the house of
commons is concerned, accomplished
it. The trend of public opinion in Eng
land is growing steadily in favor OF
relieving the over-burdened house Of
commons of the burden of Irish af
fairs, and letting Irishmen manage
their own business at home. What
ever party takes up home rule after
the general election will find argu
; ments that will appeal strongly to thu
!; British people in it's support. Sucl