The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-01-23

representatives of the Irish people, at
the same time l held my peace, be-
cause | was anxious not to do any
thing or say anything to embarrass
those who were endeavoring to OBJ
tain settlement and thwart their
plans; but, in my judgment, the time
has come when we can remain no
longer silent Cloud cheers). Even if
we so desired, we cannot shift from
our shoulders responsibility in this
matter. This university question has
often been talked Of and denounced
by our opponents as a clerical ques-
ton. 1t is nothing OF the sort (cheers).
1t was a question for the Catholic
laity of Ireland. The voice of the
bishops, OF course, must be heard and
must be respected, speaking with
authority on certain aspects of this
question. That is beyond any doubt
or question. Mr.. Balfour, speaking
some time ago, laid down three con-
ditions which, unless they we're agreed
| to by the hierarchy of ireland, he said
he could not proceed with any plan.
These conditions were, first, that there
was to be no Catholic university in the
sense OF being exclusively Catholic,
| shutting out people OF other denom-
nations; secondly, that there should
be no state aid for theological chair;
and, thirdly, that there should be a
conscience clause. Now, Immediately
afterwards these conditions were pub
licly accepted by a declaration made
by the hierarchy of the Catholic
Church.
"4ou have, l am sure, seen an able
letter which appeared yesterday in the
newspapers from Lord Dunraven, in
which Lord Dunraven sketche il, out
line a scheme for the settlement of
this question. In speaking OF that
s~hcme, | desire to safeguard myself
by saying that before any man in
responsible position can properly be
asked to express an opinion upon that
scheme we should know whether it is
the scheme OF the government or
whether it is the scheme simply of
private individual (cheers). If it is
the scheme OF the government, why
do they shelter themselves behind the
name OF Lord Dunraven? (Cheers).
Ii that is the scheme of the govern
ment for settling that question, why
don't they say SO? (Cheers). I, for
my part, will express no decided opin-
ion upon it until l know whether it is
the scheme of the government or not.
Farther than that l may say that l am
entitled to ask before expressing any
definite opinion, that one should see
more than skeleton, more than an
outline. I am entitled to see the de-
tails, to see the scheme as a whole
(cheers). AS to the outline, Lord
Dunraven's scheme seems to be one
which would be likely to be accepted
by the hierarchy and the people of
Ireland any time for the last twenty
years, but decline altogether to ex-
press an opinion upon an outline-a
skeleton
II want to see the scheme in it's
entirety (cheers). If scheme is put
forward by the government, and put
forward in detail, then am prepared
to express an opinion upon it, and,
for my part, don't think that the
Catholics of Ireland will prove I'M
reasonable if any honest attempt is
made to deal on the basis of equality
with this great problem (cheers). The
question for the moment is this. Is
an attempt to grapple with this ques-
tion-a practical attempt-to be abso-
lutely sacrificed next session owing to
the opposition of a small ring of bigot-
ed Orangemen in the north, and the
opposition Of two or three members
of the cabinet: That question is one,
| say for the Catholic laity of Ireland
and for the Irish National party. The
Irish party represents that Catholic
laity, and that responsibility rests upon
us, and we cannot shift it from our
shoulders. That responsibility rests
upon us of saying whether we will per-
init this question to be once more
shelved by men who are so deeply
pledged as the present governors OF
this country (cheers). For my part.
have no hesitation in answering chat
suggestion. My answer is this, ard |
hope it will reach the government /
Ireland, that those who attempt to
shclve this question next session must
make up their minds to be struck at
as quickly and as strongly as we can
C!car, hear), and. to be quite candid
with you, | think the time is not far
distant when we will be able to get a
fairly effective blow in Ladies and
gentlemen, there are numberless other
topics upon which, indeed, did oppor-
tunity afford, I would be glad to ad-
dress you here in the city OF Water
ford, but tonight must confine my
self to these two topics that have
touched on, the inefficicncy OF the gov
crnment in Ireland, the necessity for
home rule, and, as an example, the
history of this university question.