The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-03-18

weigh and ponder over these facts in
the next few months. On whatever
grounds you may decide to reject the
request which Ireland now makes, they
cannot be the grounds on which you
refused in 1886 or 1893.
What chance is there of National
economy in Ireland under the present
system of government? The admin
istration Of the Government Of Ire
land is, from the point Of view of eX-
pense, gross scandal. For a poor
agricultural country of four millions
an administration is maintained worthy
of a second class power. Irish hands
are the only hands that can control
and husband Irish resources.
We are told that nothing can be
done because the Catholics under
Home Rule will persecute the Protest
ants. think the house will not ac-
cept that assertion without honest
searching examination. The Ireland OF
today cannot be judged by ordinary
standards. While the strength Of the
nation has been centered for genera
tons upon single point, for or against
government, all the ordinary par
ty diSputations were in allegiance and
even under present circumstances eight
Protestant members are returned by
Catholic votes to sit on the Nationalist
benches. A large number of Protest
ants hold office unde: or serve on To-
cll bodies in Ireland.
There is a saying which has often
beer. heard that Home Rule means
Rome Rule. do not believe that any
more complete or compendious perver-
sion of the actual truth has even been
devised. The Professionals Of ireland
are powerfully organized body. They
are under the protection and influence
Of great authorities and Influential!
classes here. They will be shielded
and guarded by the Imperial Parlia-
ment. They will be denied no fair
countrymen, or by the House Of Com
mons, which has to settle the matter;
but even if they were alone, even if
England had sunk beneath the waves
Of the ocean, why should we suppose
that the same influences and the same
forces which are at work all over the
modern world-new learning, new i'll
terests, the spirit of liberty and indie
pendence in the human heart-why
should we suppose that these new
forces would not enable the Protes-
tants of Ireland to secure the same
measure of religious freedom aud po-
litical equality which Professionals have
secured unaided in other parts of the
world?
Influence of Irish ExiIes.
have only one other point. say
ought We not to re-examine this ques-
ton of Home Rule in it's international
and imperial aspect? have been try
ing to measure it not from the Irish,
but from the British standpoint There
is a new climate of opinion inside the
House and there is a new climate also
outside the House, and both are emf
nently favorable to Irish welfare. We
are not likely to underrate the in
fluence of the Irish race. They are
widely spread throughout the world. If
we can reconcile the English and Irish
people. if we can rally the Irish ma
ton, If we can secure that good gov
eminent which Gladstone desired in
his generation, then we shall have
gained an advantage for the British
Empire equal to many divisions of the
feet and the army.
There is not colony in the self
governing dominions that would not
light bonfire of loyal and enthusi-
astic joy on hearing the news that Ire
land had got Home Rule There is not
one whose relations with us would not
be rendered more intimate and more
trustful from the fact. This is an i'm
portant time