The Washington herald., 1907-03-12
THE CASE OF IRELAND
CONSERVATIVELY VIEWEL

therefore. that the essence Of true patriot
ism is unselfsEness, which prohibits all
possibility of factionism. There are no
reasonable grounds for disagreement at
the present day. The Irish people at home
are practical unit as Mr., Richard Halle
ton, N. p, informed US the other even
ing. Wherever you find the faintest IN
dication of egOtism-there you also find
egOtism, which should be promptly sup
pressed. Philosophical craftsmanship is
what we need most, and ali petty squab-
bles and personal antipathies should not
only be discouraged, but condemned
Often amid innumerable suferings has
the Irish patriot been forced to exclaim
with the Hebrew How long. oh Lord;
how long!'' Still. his trust in the ultimate
deliverance Of his country has been un-
shaken and it seems as If we are now on
the eve OF its realization. The most
hopeful aspect of the Irish question to-
day Is that the majority OF the English
people acknowledge the justice Of Erin S
claims. No one can come Ia contact with
the present Irish situation without feel
ing there IS an awakened consciousness
and strength Of nation behind IL, and
is as irresistible and as certain as the
movement of a glacier, and, ike glacier
too. gathers force steadily and stealthily
as II advances. Prudent men, and prOmi-
nent men OF conservative tendencies, who
looked askance at the advanced party IN
Irish politics and shook their heads omin-
ously when ParnelIs demands were made
known, now assure you as their absolute
conviction there is no other possible rem
edy for Ireland than the management Of
her own affairs. There has been great
awakening in Ireland. The people fully
/ realize their backward condition. know
their national needs. and take the keen
est interest in public affairs. They have
secured local government. and there IS no
such thing as apathy or dull indifference.
Such universally Of interest and activity
is rarely witnessed in the sweep of the
most popular movements. In view Of this
general awakening Of the Irish people We
must regard the agitation OF the past as
vast process OF education which has dis
ciplined the people TO think and act, and,
We arc happy 10 see. for the most part In
unison. ] believe it has been the neces-
saTy. aye, the providential preparations
for the responsibilities Of government
which We all confidently hope they are
about 20 assume. Other movements doubt
less evoked ETeat enthusiasm and stirred
the country 20 its depths but l feel con-
vinced the present movement Of the Unit
ed Irish League has had a greater effect
/ in molding the political thought and tone
Of the people. and has made a more last
ing impression on the mind Of the nation
than any that preceded it. II has ia
truth created a new heart and a new
soul IN the body polite. The most list
less observer cannot help being impressed
by the earnest and intelligent interest
which all classes take in the political sit
uatiOn and the fixed determination and
confident hope Of the vast majority that
a final adjustment must be arrived at
In the not distant future.
The angel Of democracy that scars on
the horizon Of the twentieth century has
touched the Emerald Isle with its wings.
and its people will never again settle
down in meek submission to injustice or
indifference 10 their rights Reverence
for rank and social station was thought
20 be a permanent element in Irish char
3cJer but the recent developments Of the
United irish League have eliminated it
almost entirely. There is more social hOm-
age paid 20 a lord. because he ia a lord.
in New York city to-day than in Ireland.
The last shadow and sense Of vassalage
has disappeared forever in the semi-set-
/ tiement Of the agrarian question. and
+ Irish people no longer stand CrinEiug and
/ uncovered in the presence of their heredi-
/ tary rulers. but meet them as man ID
man, asserting their rights and insisting
on them.
( It is 20 be regretted. though that de
I spite the advance in ideas there is nc ad-
vance In the prosperity of ireland. Though
/ a progressive is stul poor country,
with emigration still sapping its very life
I blood Manufacturing Industries are few
and limited but this lack ~ enterprise is
not the fault but the misfortune of the
+ country This condition OF Industrial pa
/ ralysis has been superindUcCd by the gov
ernment, and will continue as long as the
/ present system Of government lasts. The
people have no heart 10 undertake any
thing while they are so thoroughly dis
satisfied with their political situation.
/ Capital Is wanting, but il is confidently
I asserted the granting of equal rights and
/ 5ustICe-or what We can more correctly
call home rule"-WOuid give more i'm
I petus 10 industry Of every kind than any
amount Of capital could possibly do.
After centuries Of disturbance and dis
aster, it has begun TO dawn on the Eng