The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-25

y
There was no mistaking the note
that was struck by the speakers
in all the great celebrations held
last week. It was no longer the
cry Of the despairer. It was not
lamentation over hopes deferred
that sickeneth the soul. It was
the paean of people rejoicing,
over what is about to be realized,
the regeneration of their native
country, the freedom of their
mother land. For, in all human
probability, Home Rule for Ire
land will be an accomplished fact
before another st. Patrick's day
comes round.
What does all this mean? What
has revolutionized the relations
between the Irish and the English
people? What is in this magic
expression, "Home Rule 20
Well, more than a quarter of a
century has passed since Mr.. Glad
stone placed that question in the
front rank Of British politics. He
was bitterly opposed. In a sense
he sacrificed his career for justice
to the Irish people. Many things
have happened since then-all
stepping-stones to the great poll
teal event which now over
shadows every other question in
the British Parliament. Smoothly
and easily measures have passed
the House Of Commons, some of
them changing the very physical
aspect of Erin Of the Streams. A
land purchase bill has put the Irish
farmer in a position so that no
longer can it be said that he has
emo tenure but a tyrant s will. =
A laborers' bill has replaced the
mud cabin with a neat cottage.
The University problem is a thing
of the past and the Kings Pro
testant Declaration has been
laughed out of court. And now
comes what the Irish people have
constantly demanded - Home
Rule.
Mr.. Asquith, the Prime Minister
of England, declared within a few
days in the House Of Commons
81 have always said, and I re-
peat, that the case Of Ireland is a
case paramount in urgency and
Importance, and I believe-it is
the policy which I presented to
the country on behalf of my
friends and supporters at the last
General Election-that we can
only arrive at a satisfactory solu.
ton Of this standing problem by
creating in Ireland an Irish Par
lament and an Irish Executive re-
sponsible to that Parliament tic
deal with purely Irish affairs. |"
Thus has Premier Asquith burn
ed his ships. He and his party
and they are predominant, are
now committed to grant ireland
all that she demands, the right tc
manage her own domestic affairs
By Home Rule then is meant ar
Irish Parliament, with an Execu
tive responsible to it, charged
with the management Of purely
Irish affairs, leaving to the I'm
perial Parliament, in which Ire
land would be represented, thu
regulation of Imperial matter
Just as it does today over every
Parliament in the Empire.
Is it any wonder that St. Pat
rick's day this year dawned brigh
and promising for the Irish race
Will it not be glorious to se
within short time the rich re
ward Of such constancy, sucl
heroism, such patriotism? It sure
ly does not seem strange tina
every lover Of liberty, every frien,
Of freedom, rejoices with the chill
dren of the Gael. And, if tn
world at large feels that some
thing great is about to be accom-
plished, that wrongs are to b
righted, that justice is to be don
to a people, why should not tn
Catholic Church enter into tn
, spirit of the occasion? There ]
no question but the Irish peopl
are so identified with her histor,
that there can be no separatini
the one from the other. Ii tn
concession Of Home Rule is
triumph Of Nationality, it il
{ equally, a triumph of Faith; 70
, it will not only bring peace an
! prosperity to the country, bu
] will, likewise, advance the caus
, Of religion. Who will dare sa
/ that, even in this forthcomin
: Home Rule measure, as in all Ire