The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-11-20

leader of Sim Fein. Arthur Griffith, !
Is Journalist Of untiring energy, varied |
accomplishments, combining, for ex-
ample, great resource of statistics
and exact investigation with fervor
and purpose not often found. His main
disciples in Dublin consist to great
extent of young literary men, who have
displayed more freshness and vigor, of
expression at least, than any others of
their generation.
But the personalities Of the Sim
Feiners are not SO important as their
programme.
The main principle Of Sim Fein, ac-
cording to Arthur Griffith, is to lead
the Irish people to reliance on them
capital a national legislature, endowed
with the moral authority Of the Irish
nation.
This is, of course, excellent. All Ma
tionalists agree in this. The difficulties
arise when we seek the ways and
means by which we are to attain this
end. Let us consider some of tho
proposals Of Sim Fein. One Of the
first is the Introduction of protective
system for Irish industries and COM
, merce by combined action Of the var
u ious cuunctrs; f. -slaw' pgREa,, hurbor
I boards and other BODIES. Thefe are
| many, however, who would accept the
, general principle of Sim Fein, who
; might legitimately doubt whether q
protective system would be beneficial
to Ireland. Secondly 1t is, at least, a
"steep proposition" to throw the onus
Of establishing this upon the councils
and like bodies. And. moreover. these
councils owe their existence to the agi-
tation of the Parliamentary party that
Sim Fein condemns. But If the party
did so much as to build a platform for
Sim Fein it seems not improbable that
. good results may yet arise from it's
agitation.
The next item is the establishment
and maintenance under the direction of
the general council Of the county coun-
} ellis Of an Irish consular service for the
advancement Of Irish commerce.
This is a good idea, IL practicable.
Such scheme involves so much capac-
ity for organizations; so much zeal,
3 think that If all these qualities existed
in the necessary abundance, Ireland
would be commercially in better situ-
. alton than she is today. Moreover, tho
scheme would be costly and would
, mean an additional burden of taxa
tion, though voluntary, on 1rlshmen,
:. and the country is ground down now
3 by the incessant demands on the earn
ings Of Nationalists.
The next item Is the re- establishment
Of an Irish mercantile marine to facli-
tate direct trading between Ireland ana
j the countries Of Continental Europe,
, America, Africa and the far East.
t This, too, is an excellent idea, If
feasible. But it has too much the air
\ of, the literary "viewiness" Of clever
y fellows in Dublin who have read books,
n but have never established even one
steamer running regularly between
4 definite ports. It is a dream, a good
: dream, but still only dream, and
' which, morever, IL realized may arrive
T. in quite another fashion.
e The next item is the creation Of q
r National civil service embracing all the
q employees Of the county councils, rural
Il councils, poor law boards, harbol
q boards and other bodies, by the institu-
ton of q national examination.
It This is also a good idea that in some
e cases would be feasible; in many others
e not at all so.
The next Is the control and manage.
ment Of transit by rail, road and wa.
ter. But in England itself, where home
rule at least, prevails, proposals Of this
sort for England are viewed still b!
- the majority with the greatest disfavor
D. They are called Socialism. For my owl
y part, am in accord with this part o
le the platform but would not like t
y make this a test Of another mans Ma
tionalism. -.
a The reform Of education, which is
le very important part Of Sim Fein, in