The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-04-03
GOOD NEWS FROM ERIN.


terly destitute of all Irish sentiment.
GOOD NEWS FROM ERIN.
1t was with deep pain that the
Irish Standard in last weeks issue
referred to Mr.. William O'Brien, M.
p, as dissensionist for starting an
in opposition to the
United Irish League of which he him
self was the founder, and thus per-
petuating discord and disunion in the
ranks Of his countrymen. From what
has since occurred we are glad to have
said nothing of him more severe than
the following: We have considerable
respect for William O'Brien. Years
ago he accomplished a great deal of
good for his country and suffered for
his convictions by being thrust six
times into British jails in Ireland.
We are slow to say a word against
him, although he is now on the wrong
track. But the cause Of Ireland is dear
er to us than the cause of any indi-
vidual, and though we believe he was
entitled to a respectful hearing at the
recent convention, yet we must con-
denim his present policy Of disintegrat-
ing the United Irish League, of which
he was the founder, and building an
other organization upon it's ruins to
crafty his personal vanity"
The Irish Standard is glad to an.
nounce that Mr.. O'Brien has seen the
error IF his ways. Prompted by pa
triotic motives he has ceased to be
a dissensionist. Believing that he
could not work in harmony with the
Irish party. of which John E. Red
mond is the leader, Mr.. O'Brien has
resigned his seat in parliament as
member for Cork City. T. P. O'Con-
nor, In his special cable from London
to the Chicago Tribune, dated March
81, refers to OBrien's resignation as
follows: -.sa
For the Irishmen the outstanding
event of the week was the resigna-
ton of William O'Brien. 1t is i'm.
possible to exaggerate the relief Of
all good Irishmen at such solution
of the terrible difficulty. The meeting
Of the Irish party this week. as had
predicted, was unanimous in condemn
ing O'Brien's new league and calling
on all the members of the party to
abstain from joining 1t. This would
have forced the party to expel, later
on, O'Brien and any members who
continued to follow him. But such
action. though universally uncalled
for by the party and even more
strongly by the Irish people them.
selves, involved a long, bitter. and
costly struggle. OBrien was expected
to resist expulsion by actions in the
law courts, with doubtful verdicts
owing to the shameless political par
tisanship of the Irish judges, but with
the certainty Of such gigantic strain
on the funds of the party as to Sc
riously impede its work. Further, even
a small split in the Irish ranks would
strengthen the landlords resistance
to Birrells bill, and the house of lords
would have rejected or mutilated the
measure. All danger to the bill is not
as yet passed, but it's chances are
enormously improved. Altogether the
whole Irish situation was changed, es.
pecially for leaders bearing RESPONSE
bility for it's conduct, as the change
today in England to weather Of almost
summer brightness from the bleak,
snowy, windy weather Of week ago"
O'Connor says nothing Of the discon.
tinuance of O'Brien's newly-launched
league, but another correspondent
states that it has been dropped and
that O'Brien will probably suspend the
publication Of his personal organ, the
Irish People, which has been pouring
hot shot at John e. Redmond and his
followers for several years.
Nobody believes for moment that
O'Brien is not patriot. Those who
know him intimately believe that he
would willingly sacrifice his life to
set his country free. and every Irish.
American who believes In fair play
and free speech cannot but condemn
the action Of the delegates at the
recent Dublin convention who, by in
terruptions, prevented Mr.. o'Brien
from giving expression to his
views on the Irish land bill.
But the Irish, English and Scotch
are far behind Americans in
according courtesy to those who diff
fer from them on political questions.
The Irish have frequently blamed the