Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-09
JUSTICE TO IRELAND
Appreciation of British Ambas-
sador Bryce's Attitude.
VIEWS Of WIN. F. DOWNEY
Cites Logical Claim Upon the Good
Will of Irishmen.
LRIN'S CAUSE PROGRESSING
Regret Expressed That Omitted Irish
Societies" Criticised Mr.. Bryce
Appeal for Unity.
LRINs CAUSE PROGRESSING

Irish League of the District of Columbia,
has come forward with emphatic con-
demnation of the action of the United Irish
Societies last Sunday in passing and after
ward publishing resolutions in criticism of
the ambassador. In the course of his
remarks Mr.. Downey said the cause of
Ireland is further advanced now than it
has ever been, and he gives much of the
credit to MIR. Bryce's successor in Dublin.
He also spoke of the revision of Mr..
Bryce's book, THE American Common
wealth. and the elimination of alleged OBJ
jectionable features, as logical claim for
the good will of Irishmen and Irish-Amer-
leans.
In an interview Mr.. Downey said:
AS president of the United Irish League
of the District of Columbia; as an Irish
interested in her welfare, and most of all
as an American citizen, 1 must take de-
cided exception to the spirit of the resolu-
tons condemnatory of Mr.. James Bryce,
the English ambassador, which have been
published, and deny they expressive
of Irish-American thought" said Mr. Dow
ney. Il acknowledge that every individual
is entitled to the free expression and exer-
else of his opinion long his doing
results in no injury to his fellow-man, but
l can scarcely concede the right to one
section of race to presume to speak au-
thortatively for the whole on matters
of the nation. 1 would like to be quoted
correctly on this matter, and feel most
anxious to be pl operly understood.
Dislikes to Criticise Others.
1T is very distasteful to me to give public
expression to any statement or opinion
which may be construed as derogatory
to another Irshman. Unity, Cancellation
and peace have been our ambition
and hope and it is only in performance
of a painful duty that l feel obliged to
deny that 1rish-American citizens are justi-
fed in criticsing Mr.. James Bryce, as was
attempted at meeting held under the
auspices of what has been called the United
Irish Societies. The name is misleading,
inasmuch as the United Irish League, the
recognized organization of Irish and Irish
American thought and action represent.
ing, as 1t does, the overwhelming prepon-
derance of Irish sentiment and opinion
both in ireland and America), was in no
way identified with the meeting last Sun
day night, and must disclaim all RESPONSE
for the purpose of showing their devotion
to the memory of Robert Emmett and
of helping the charitable purpose to which
the receipts were applied, refuse to indorse
such ridiculous expressions. / pray that
my over-enthusiastic brethren for l chart
tably ascribe their mistakes to over-en-'
thusiasm and misdirected patriotism, will
not misconstrue my words nor imagine for,
justly critcise them They probably mean
we'll Their aspirations for Irish liberty
are noble and commendable, but they must
realize. that their presumption to inter-
pref or foreteu what Mr.. Bryce's policy or
intention is cannot be indorsed commended
or approved by any American citizen. A
spirit of international courtesy forbids such
erratic interference and undisguised insult.
and 1t must be remembered we owe this
duty to the land of our adoption.
Grateful for Friendly Interest.
Nor it. is purely as an American citizen
that l object to the sentiments expressed
in regard to Mr.. Bryce. l owe Mr. Bryce
no allegiance or no favors, but as a con-
scientious Irish-Amercan citizen 1 owe
him the just acknowledgement of his rec
ognized friendship for Irishmen's aims and
aspirations. Instead of condemnation and
criticism, Mr.. Bryce deserves our deepest
respect for his kindly sentiments toward
the Irish people. To say otherwise is ma
licious Misrepresentation. The mere fact
that 1.-THE American commonwealth" was
revised and alleged Objectionable features
eliminated is in itself logical claim for
our good will toward Mr.. Bryce Tie pre-
diction that the honorable gentleman was
selected or detailed to America to con-
ciliate the American people and manipulate
an alliance for the immediate object of
going to with Germany is so ridiculous
ly absurd that l would feel ashamed to
give such a thought moments serious
with the utmost sincerity must admit
feel deeply sensitive of the misrepresenta-
ton of our people conveyed in this unwar-
ranted attack on Mr.. Bryce. and it is with
a sense of humility l must confess that
unfortunately our Irish people have
for a long time past, in certain sections of
this country, permitted themselves to be
led by professional agitators[ impractical
demagogues and superannuated old
fogles, but the day has now arrived when
such men must be relegated to obscurty
and the intellectual, intelligent and repre-
sentative element of the Irish people must
come forward, assume control and rescue
the movement from the perils that con-
front 1t in the hands of such irresponsible
men. / have no personal antipathy or
luminosity against any man or set of men,
have no particular man or men in view
when 1 speak, but I say with all possible
emphasis the progress of the Irish move
ment must not be made subservient to the
pride, selfishness or personal ambitions of
those who are assuming the terrific respon-
Sibilty of promoting or encouraging dis
sension, factionalism and disunion.
acknowledge it is but natural feelings of
resentment should arise in Irishmans
breast at the recollection of past injustice
and tyranny, but 1t has always been the
great boast of our race that we are "as
quick to forgive a wrong as to resent an
injury" The English people of the pres
ent day are not the English people of
They acknowledge the wrongs from which
Ireland suffered, and the British govern
ment is now committed to endeayor to
remedy at least some of them-and as
Mr.. Hazleton recently said, every conces-
sion will be used as lever to attain more.
Chief Secretary Birrell's Address.
"Only on Thursday. February IA last, one
Of the most remarkable speeches ever heard
in the house of commons on the Irish
question was delivered by Chief Secretary
Birrell, Mr.. Bryces successor In Dublin
Mr. Birreli comes forward boldly and can
didly and declares the settlement. of Irish
grievances is one of the honor of parlia-
ment itself. He says parliament is pledged
and the pledge must be redeemed at all
costs. In promising that the reinstatement
of the evicted tenants will be reached about
the end of April, Mr.. BirreH continues:
We shall then know all there is to be
known upon this matter, and l, for my part,
recognize to the very, full the obligation
upon this government. upon this house, and
every part of this house, sitting wherever
they may be. to WORK during the session
without any delay whatsoever to see to 1t
that this thing is DONE The intention OF
the house was that the old sore was to be
healed and without going into their past
history, that this page Of Irish history was
to be wiped out. Would to heaven we
could treat many other chapters Of Irish