The Irish standard., 1907-08-10
LET US AWAIT THE DECISION OF
THE IRISH PEOPLE,

among IFleHQS Oh lreldnQ IN LalS COuu-
try over the publication recently Of
an article in the National Hibernian
which attacks the work Of the Irish
Parliamentary party and supports the
Sim Fem association in its opposi-
ton to that party At the same time
unfriendly cable dispatches from Lon
don have been industrially circulated
alleging a split in the national move
nent in Ireland and prophesying still
further important developments in the
same direction. These incidents have
led many in this country to believe
National Parliamentary party. and
there are those who believe that the
Irish party is about to be broken up
and superseded by new party and a
new policy. No such feeling could
have gained foothold were it not for
the widespread disgust and disappoint-
ment over the failure of the present
Liberal government to grant an ade-
quate measure of relief to Ireland.
Many of the very best and most patri-
otto Irishmen have been led to believe
that the Irish Nationalist party is but
an appendage of the English Liberal
party. The condition of disappoint
ment. widespread among the friends
of Ireland at home and abroad, fur
nished a good field for a few dissatis
fed leaders to SOW the seed of discord
and factionalism. We are convinced
that the real facts do not justify the
anxiety felt.
We must not forget that on the 21st
day of May last one Of the largest
and most representative delegate con-
ventions that Ireland ever held. unani-
nously and enthusiastically approved
the work of the Irish Parliamentary
party. We should remember that the
resolution introduced by John Red
mond. the leader of the Parliamentary
party, repudiating the Birrell bill was
unanimously adopted by that conven-
ton. We should remember that the
announcement of the leaders Of the
Parliamentary party that from, hence
forth the Irish Nationalist party would
be entirely independent Of all English
parties has been honestly and faith
fully adhered to by each and every
member Of that party. Since that
great convention placed it's approval
upon the work Of the Parliamentary
party nothing has occurred in Ireland
or England to anyway change the SEN
timent. The Irish Parliamentary party
and the friends OF Ireland everywhere
have a right to and are bound to as
sumo that the sentiment of Ireland is
with that party. These men We're
elected by the constituencies in Ire
land. They have not alone relied upon
their election and their authority but
have gone back to the country for
either approval or new mandate
whenever matters of first Importance
seemed to demand an expression from
the people. The Irish Parliamentary
party is not only composed of the
elected representatives Of the Irish
people. but 1t is composed of body
of men who at frequent intervals seek
and obtain an expression Of opinion
from their constituents. Under such
circumstances one cannot reasonably
oppose this party without placing him
self in opposition to the expressed SEN
| timents Of the majority of the people
of Ireland.
If the sentiment OF the Irish people
has changed since May 21st, it is most
extraordinary. for nothing has hap
pened to create change. If that
change has taken place. an oppor-
tunity will soon be afforded in at least
five constituencies for an expression
Of that change. Two out of the eighty
two members Of the Irish Parliament
tary party have in a way expressed
their dissatisfaction with Parliament
tary methods as now conducted. One
of these. Thomas H. G Esmond Of
North Wexford. has resigned from
Parliament and allied himself with til:
Sim Fein association. The other, Mr.
c. ]. Dolan Of North Leitrim has an
nounced his intention of resigning, but
so far has failed to do so. Three
other members. all loyal to the Irish
Parliamentary party, have resigned
either on account Of health or business
reasons; Mr.. Blake in East Longford
Mr.. Cogan in East Wicklow and Mr.
O'Mara from South Kilkenny. The
action of Mr.. Esmond has been COM
mended by Mr.. Redmond as manly
just and fair. The action of Mr. Dollar
has also been commended. with the
reservation only that Mr.. Dolan should
have resigned at once instead of prom