The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-12-14
THE IRISH PARLIAMENTARY PARTY.

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ization contending with Mr.. John Redmond and his
followers to what policy shall be pursued regard
ing the fight for home rule. That there may hon
estly exist differences of opinion among politicians
in any nation and any policy is not REPUTABLE,
but in the light of all its past and glorious history
no man can honestly antagonize the Irish Parlia-
mentary party. Ever since that memorable day
when Legislator Daniel OConnell the Liberator,
stood heroicay before the speaker of the house Of
commons and Spartan-like defed the mighty en-
pire of Great Britain the Irish representatives IN
London have done valiant deeds.
Before the Illuminating flames of O'Connell's
eloquent utterance for justice there sprang
into being instantly and magicaly emancipation
for Gods and Erin's indestructible and faithful
church of Rome, and no man can fully measure the
consequent blessings that have flowed like pure rlls
of sparkling water throughout other portions of the
world to refresh furnishing humanity from that
glorious fountain sent gushing from the barren
rock of English folly by the noblest Irish Roman
of them all. O'ConneIl is sleeping in his grave,
the sleep of the just and his deeds live after him
impershable monuments of his fame. his genius
and his Irish manhood. Yet there were not want
ing foolish sons of Erin who helped by their acts
gantic heart of Irish oak, that wept like child
and suffered shocks and beat them back as Clio
ralter hurls majestcally from it the proud, swell
ing waves of the sea. Could we find space to tell
of all the wondrous deeds of brave Irish Paria-
mentarians in London how many an Homeric bal
lad would unfold to the world.
Charles Stuart Parnell, Protestant, was another
courageous, manly, eloquent general of the Irish
legislative gladators which small body under his
wise leadership stood mentally and physically as
resolute in the defense of justice as did the Gre
clan heroes at Thermopylae
Many there were to be sure who threw stones at
Parnell when scandal threatened him, forgetting
their crimes and seeking to pallate them by
publicly denouncing the Irish leader Parnell needs
defense. With the exception of one accusation
satisfactorily proven his life was an inspiring
one. In our own times we observe new soldiers N
the holy cause of liberty under the mastery lead
ership of John Redmond fighting invincbly for their
rights as did their ancestors on every honorable
field manifesting the unconquerable spirit of Pat
rick Sarsfeld and his iron warriors of Limerick
We see Ireland slowly but surely acquiring the
lands under the new land act. Had the Liberal
party kept faith Redmond could even now boast
that captivating glory of giving to Erin home
rule. Look, too, at the self government of Irish
municipalities. The isle of heroes, saints and mar
tyrs is doing as well as can be anticipated in the
face of long ages of British prejudice which can
not be destroyed in day.
The men then under whatever name they hoist
the skull and crossbones of anarchica and piratcal
opposition to the Irish party in the house of COM
mons should everywhere be castigated and repre-
hended. There is no other way under heaven except
by force, always in the past unfortunate and suic
dial to Erin's hopes, by which anything important
can be attained than by the present system of Irish
representation in London. The men of this body
are the sentinels to preserve the achievements of
the past and to acquire new ones in the future
Let every true lrishman cry down the mis-
guided efforts of factionists even though patriotic
in intention they undoubtedly are They tend to
destroy not build up. They cause disgust at home
and abroad They are worse enemies of their coun-
try did they but realize it, than bigoted English
men. They give substance and support to the as
sertion that Irishmen cannot agree among them
selves. 1t is shortsighted policy they follow at
best They like founders of new sects, who
raise their intelects higher than Gods and the wis
dom of the ages. They assume that they know
best and that their opponents though in large |
majority are selfish, ignorant and false Let them
wait for the country to indorse them, and until |
that time they are in duty bound to support those
men the Irish nation has indorsed No country.
weak as ireland, at least in modern times can gain
anything by coercion. On the fields of thought
and controversy are victories won today united |
body legally empowered to act battling shoulder to
shoulder for justice in the legislative halls of Eng
land is the only way. The past proves it. the pres
snt confirms it and the future will see Ireland's
hopes in full fruition Away with the wrangling
factionists and their novel and individual IDEAS