The Irish standard., 1907-10-05

is matter for the country as a whole,
and not for either an individual body.
or even an individual county. If the
people wish a change of policy, the
proper channel is to join the U. l. L.
There the poor mans shilling gives
him the same voice as the rich mans
pound. In each constituency where
there are three branches of the League
they have divisional government. and
can elect one representative on the
National Directory. That body is SUI
preme, and can, by resolution. with
draw the entire Parliamentary Party
| from Westminster. The National Di-
rectory controls the policy Of the Party
Therefore If that change of policy
| which Is now suggested in some quar-
tiers is desirable, it can be brought
about without resorting to the mud
singing tactics or the efforts to dis
credit the peoples representatives.
Whether the Irish Parliamentary Par
ty are the most efiicient body that
could be sent to represent us is a
question for the people who selected
them. If we consent to the idea that
the people are incapable of selecting
their own representatives, what then
becomes of our claim to govern and
control ourselves?
Let us see how the members of
Parliament are selected. When a va
cancy occurs convention is summon
ed, and the following are alone entitled
to vote for the selection of candidate:
"(1) The Clergy of all denominations
within the Division.
"(2) The President and other on
GERS of the Divisional Executive.
"(S) Six delegates from each branch
of the United Irish League within the
Division.
"(D Four delegates from the Coun-
ty Council and from each District
Council and Urban Council within the
Division.
"(5) Six delegates from each Branch
of the Land and Labor Association
within the Division.
"(6) Four delegates from each Di-
vision Of the Ancient Order of HI
bernians within the Division
"O Four delegates from each
Branch of the Irish National Foresters
within the Division.
"One would say that If this Consti-
tuition errs at all, it does upon the side
Of being too democratic, but probably
it would be contended that some other
organization should replace the U. 1.
l.. 1t was formed to forward q broth
erhood of affection, communion of
rights, and a union of power among
1rishmen.' II its objects are not SUI
ficiently broad and comprehensive, then
1t is within the power of the people to
amend. just as it Is to replace, but the
old democratic methods must be pur-
sued. When the Fenian organization
was being formed, largely on the
frame work and through the agency of
the old Ribbon Society, the advocates
of the new movement did not seek to
discredit the old leaders of their BROTH
er members. Argument on principle
alone was resorted to. In the same way
did the Land League succeed the Feni-
an movement; and the bitter experience
Of the Parnellite Split should convince
every genuine Nationalist that mud
singing or biting sarcasm, will never
drive a people into a movement which
their reason and common sense does
not commend.
I'VE are not called upon as an organ
ization to decide what is the best pol
icy for the country to pursue. Our
duty is that of National Army. and
as in England, the individuals may vote
Liberal. unionist, or Home Ruler, vet
the Government, no matter what party
is in power, can rely upon the army
maintaining good order, and guarding
with jealous care the honor. and
credit of their country. We have no
government for the people in Ireland;
the National Organization is the only
means the people have of expressing
their will, and while conceding to in
dividual members Of our Order per-
feet liberty and freedom in political
thought. we decline emphatically to
permit any man, or set of men, to shell
ter himself. or themselves, under the
cloak of Hibernianism, while endeav-
oring to stab the National organiza-
ton or its accredited leaders in the
back, or to create chaos and distrust
Of those whom our countrymen have
elected to defend the National honor
and the peoples rights"
To this might add that a National
Convention under the auspices Of the