The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-12-10

would be devoted entirely to develop
ing the resources Of their country and
improving the condition Of their race.
81 am certain that after, say, ten
or fifteen years Of self-government
Ireland would show an advance in
every way which would not alone
Justify the faith of those who always
believed in home rule, but which
would at the same time compel those
who were the opponents of such a
scheme to honestly regret that they
ever were so. What the splendid eff
feet Of self-government has been all
through the British empire we all
know. 1t has made prosperity and
peace and progress in every part of
the world. Are 1rishmen not entitled
to claim that it would do at least rs
much for them?
"People ask why Ireland is not as
satisfied with the union as Scotland.
The case of Scotland is entirely differ
ent. She entered into the union with
England voluntarily, and her laws
and customs and religion have been
respected. If England had proceeded
in Scotland as in Ireland there would
be different tale to tell. If the ma
tive Scotsman had been banned and
boycotted practically out Of all share
in the management of their own coun-
try, as Catholic lrshmeu have been.
then Scotland would be in as great
revolt against the union as Ireland to-
day
"The concession of home rule would
mean fresh life and hope for Ireland,
and must inevitably result in in
creased prosperity and progress. How
could any country possibly thrive I'M
der the Dublin castle system? Take
the public departments, like the board
of works, the local government board,
and the education board.
"They are all absolutely unrepresen-
tative, not one Of them possesses the
confidence of the people. Take the po-
lice force; it costs quite three times
as much as the police force in Scot
land where the population is to-day
larger than in Ireland. And it is the
same in nearly every department of
the governments; the cost is monstrous-
ly eNtravngant.
''From the point of view of admin
istration Ireland is handicapped in
every way. Under home rule this
would be all changed. The public de-
partmcnts would be brought into touch
with popular feeling. Economy and
efficiency would be the result The
Irish railways, which at the present
time charge practically prohibitive
rates, would be compelled to give the
producers of the country chance of
transporting their produce on terms
which would be encouraging.
',The harbors of Ireland under a
home government would be put III Or
der, and the fisheries all along the
const, now largely neglected, would be
developed and turned into source of
wealth. Education would be improv-
ed in all its branches, and the youth
of Ireland would under the care of n
native legislature be afforded oppor-
tunities now denied them of receiving
the benefits Of higher training in n
+1,o4
political and religious ascendancy
which in the past has made education
such difficult matter for the masses
of the Irish people.
"The industries of Ireland would re-
vive under the fostering care of n
sympathetic native administration, lust
rs they did in the time of Grattans'
parliament, when the prosperity of
Ireland advanced by leaps and bounds.
"Given the control Of her own re-
sources Ireland's financial position
would be sound. The present contri-
button Of over f1O,OOO,OOO a year to
the imperial eXchequer would be am
pie, and more than ample, to govern
Ireland well, and at the same time to
develop the resources and industries
Of the land.
cat this moment the taxes Of Ire.
land are worse than wasted in extray.
agances of all kinds in administration
From every imaginable point of view
L am convinced that fair and full
measure Of home rule, which would
give the people the effective control
of their affairs, would in fifteen years
aye, in less, transform Ireland. and
thoroughly justify the assertion that
when Irishmen feel the Responsibilities
of government to be on their OWE
shoulders they are well able to manage
their own affairs to tile best adyan
.stage.
"1n the newly formed county coun
ellis the people have so far conducted
the business of the counties with abil
ity and righteousness Given contro
of national affairs, and the regulation
of their own finances, the same fair
ness and ability would be exhibited
"The land question, so often useG
as an argument against home rule
can be fairly used in this way nc