The Irish standard., 1906-11-03
Opposition to Ireland's Demands Confined to
Dwinding Minority in England
and Ireland
Who Are Always Active in Their Efforts.
to Prevent the Reconciliation of
the Two Countries.

Before d. large audience AT Montreal,
largely composed of Irish men and
women or descendants of Irish men
and women, r.. r. OConnor exposed
his reasons for believing that tho day
of Homo Rule for Ireland was at hand,
says the Irish World. Within twenty
five years, he predicted, 1rishmcn and
Englishmen would have forgotten the
struggles of the last few years while
working together side by side.
The tone of Mr.. O'Connor's discourse
throughout was moderate, and the
many people present of other nation
alities than that to which tho orator
primarily appealed could find nothing
in his utterances at which to take Of
fensc. When he referred to religious
questiors, he was most careful to
point out that he did SO through tho
necessity Of the case, and his tribute
to the Protestant gentleman who had
fought gallantly to prevent the con-
summation of the Union was lleartful
and warm.
Among tho reasons advanced by MIR.
OConnor for his advocacy of the Irish
cause was the necessity for removing
that same, source of discomfort from
the path of IL more thorough UNDER
standing between the statesmen of
England and those of tho United
States.
Like all politicians" said he. "thc
success or our movement depends prl-
nlarily upon tho patriotism and con-
sistency of our people, which has been
tried by seven centuries OF continued
struggle. But, like an army in tho
field, we have occasionally to think
of the war chest at home, just as the
Japanese in defeating Russia, found
that Europe and America, by accepting
her loans 10 finance the war, had
passed a. vote of confidence in the
new Empire of the Orient. AS to NOR
al support, in all my travels in the
United States, and my intercourse
with their people in Europe, 1 have
not Il friend of the cause of self-gov-
ernment for Ireland.
"And coming az do fresh from the
United States, / may say that the
president of that country has instruct
ed me to say that his affection and
regard for the Irish people, some of
whose blood flows in his veins, has
strengthened with his strength, and
that he prays and hopes for the well
faro OF the Irish people," AS to the
lesser leaders of the United States,
Mr.. OConnor said that at the mag
nificent Philadelphia convention ad-
hesion to the Irish cause had been
promised by no less than 80 governors
Of states and the majority of the SEN
ate.
So far as Canada is concerned, he
could not speak with authority as yet,
but within the next week he would
have large opportunities OF judging Of
tho feelings Of the people. But" he
continued, II can say that if there be
country in the world which has
solved what is by some falsely regard
ed as tie irrcconciliabIe problem OF
national and local government, Of ma
tional unity and local liberty, that
country is Canada, with its federal and
provincial parliaments."
| Mr.. O'Connor recalled Gladstone's
challenge uttered at the time Of the
introduction of the first Home Rule
Bill to find a single leading statesman
in any country outside of the British
Isles who would say that self-govern.
ment for Ireland would not be a good
thing. Thta challenge still remained
unanswered. AS matter of fact,
there was even less opposition today
'than there had been in those days.