The Irish standard., 1907-10-26
Of independence itself.

Of Independence itself.
And here want to refer to clause
in the Philadelphia document that is to
me the most interesting thing that l
well remember, the day about two
months ago when l first read through
that document in Independence Hall
and noticed that simple e-looking, uras-
suming clause. Ny heart beat fast as
all its meaning flashed upon me. And
| then rubbed my eyes in astonishment,
asking myself If it were possible that
such a clause could exist upon such a
document without b.lng known to
every child in Ireland. For the citi-
zens Of Philadelphia in rallying to the
support Of their own industry and re-
foreign competition mlde a specla, ex-
ception of the industry of Ireland. They
intended their resolution, they said, as
stimulus and an example to all the
people of their province. ITO be frugal
in their use and consumption of all
manufactures excepting those of Amer
lea and lawful goods coming directly
from Ireland manufactured there"
Thus was Ireland clearly associated
with the colonies in the struggle for
industrial freedom. Not merely did
America and Ireland suffer from the
same grievances and struggle for the
same rights, but the identity of their
| cause was well known and recognized
at the time on this side of the Atlantic.
A few years afterward, when the first
Continental Congress took up the ques-
t1cn of excluding goods Of foreign man.
ufacture. lreland's claim to exceptional
treatment was again discussed, aud it
was only because the English manu-
facturers had made use of Ireland to
steal their goods into this country that
Congress was compelled to omit the
exception in favor Of Ireland. Mr.. Joy,
of New York, drew up a. state paper,
which was forwarded to the Irish
Government. explaining the necessity
which compelled the. people of Amer
lea to Withdraw the special clause in
favor Of Ireland.
You know the result of the struggle
that then commenced in Philadelphia.
America not merely won her CONNER.
cial freedom. but her political freedom
as we'll. She also dealt death blow
to England's policy of industrial re-
preston as far as the distant provinces
of the Empire are concerned. The
United States, freed from the grip of
England's selfish power, had an amaz.
ing growth in prosperity and industry
The colonies are slowly following in
the wake of America; whereas Ireland,
after a period Of semi independence,
which was also g. period of marvellous
development in commerce and indus
try, has been dragged back under the
blighting shadow of English power to
decline steadily in every decade since
then.
In Ireland our political machinery
never does the right thing, because
1relands only political machinery is in
the hands Of a foreign enemy. OF the
entire 60 members who sit in Ireland's
Legislature only 103 are elected by the
people of Ireland. Hence we are al
ways absolutely powerless to make the
least impression on the Trusts and
monopolies that control the Industrial
situation in Ireland. The result is that
the railroad rates are the highest In all
Europe. And what is worse, foreign
manufactured articles are carried
cheaper than native. There are two
scales of rates upon goods sent, say,
from Dublin or Belfast to Sligo. One
for articles made in England and one
for articles made in Ireland. And the
articles made in England are carried
cheaper than the articles made in Ire
land.
Not merely that, but articles made
in London are shipped through Dublin
to distant points in Ireland at less cost
than Dublin goods can be shipped the
Irish fraction of the journey. We have
thus a tariff to protect us from the
misfortune Of having any manufac-
tories in Ireland. Smoke stacks are
such ugly things. they might obscure
the beautiful blue of our Irish sky.
How this can be possible may astonish
you. but then it is very. simple. The
rates are made in the interest of Eng.
lish manufactures and England elects
a big majority Of the members Of Par
lament. Their business. is to. look
after Ensland's interests, you know,
and they do it.
It would be very wearying to account
IN vo,, the diN4>,,ltias that TraIora no.