The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-01-09
THE ACCURSED UNION.
An Article Written BY Daniel o'Con-
nell in the Year 1913

Inc FEATURES OF the STORY OF JrelAnO
are characterized by the most odious
crimes committed by the English rulers
on the Irish people. Rapine. COIL
fiscation. murder massacre. treach-
cry, sacrilege, wholesale devastation.
and injustice Of every kind. continued
in many Of it's odious forms to the
present hour.
The form Of persecution is altered.
the spirit remains the same. Those
who heretofore would have used the
dagger or the knife OF the ASSASSIN.
employ now only the tongue or the
pen of the calumniator: and instead
Of numbering bodies exhaust their en-
ergies In demonstrating reputation.
Calumny has been substituted for muir
der; and the faction which has 50
long rioted in Irish blood. consoles it's
virulent and malignant passions by in
du1eing in ever-varyinR, never dying
falsehood and truculent Islander.
What ia the present condition of the
Irish ,nind--what ought to he the de-
signs Of the patriots Of Ireland?
We feel and understand that. If the
Union was not in existence--if Ireland
had her own Parliament, the popular
ma iority would have long since carried
every measure of salutary and useful
reform. Instead of being bchindhand
with England and Scotland. we should
have taken the lead. and achieved for
ourselves all and more than we have
contributed to achieve for them.
If the Union had not been carried.
Ireland would have long since paid off
her national debt, and been now almost
entirely free from taxation.
The Union, and the Union alone,
stands in the way of our achieving for
ourselves every political blessing.
Observation-Disclosures comparative
weakness widespread roverty--un-
endurable political inferiority-these
are the fruits Of the Union.
OF it's effects on the people Of Ire
land I will state but one fact--that,
upon a people of eight millions. there
are two millions three hundred thou
sand individuals dependent for sub
sistcnce on casual charity! :!
And this is one Of the most abund-
antly fertile countries on the globe!
bn III {oo ctr 40 {ooj o. kJ,o$
nothing can be greater outrage than
to make them submit to the degrade
tion and burden Of a union with anoth-
er country, and. at the same time, to
withhold from them a full equaliza-
ton Of privileges and franchises with
that other country. Such equalization
is the meaning Of the word union;
any other union is a permanent false.
hood-"a living lie"
Fistly-Tho Union entitled the Cath
oiics of Ireland--that is, emphatically,
the people of Ireland to religious equal
ity with the English and Scotch. 1t
was thus distinctly and in writing
avowed by Pitt, in his negotiation with
Catholic Peers and others who called
themselves the leaders Of the Catholic
people. But, what is better. that right
was essential to the very nature OF the
Union.
In this respect tho Union was for
twenty nine years "a living lie
The partial realization Of the Union
in this respect, after struggle of
twenty nine years. is entirely due to
the virtue Of the Irish people, and not
the English Government.
Secondly-The Union entitled the
people of Ireland to the same elective
franchise with the people of England.
In this respect, the Union entitled the
people of ireland to perfect equality
in the enjoyment Of the elective fran
chise.
In this regard the Union is to the
present day "a living lie"---a lie ag-
gravated by bare ingratitude and vile
injustice.
Third-The Union entitled the people
Of Ireland to an adequate portion Of the
representation In Parliament. But
such proportion has been scornfully
and contemptuously refused. The
Union is, therefore. in this essential
respect, "a living lie
Fourthly-The Union entitled the
people Of Ireland to an identity Of re-
lief with England, from corporate
monopoly bigotry, plumber and abuse
of every other kind. 1 have already
shown how insulting is the contrast
between the Corporate Reforms Of
England and OF ireland: the Union.
therefore, il asain, IN this respect
10. S<.yl>.