The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-01-21
FOLLY OF THE "RoME RuLE"cRY


was delivered in Dublin not long ago
by Very Rev. Joseph Butler, D. ID.
Mr.. John t. Redmond presided at the
meeting and in submitting the reso-
luton of thanks he took occasion to
make some characteristic remarks
which may be used to good advantage
to meet the taunts OF those who OPP
pose Mr.. Redmond's leadership on the
ground of his insincerity and the con-
tention of the Protestant element OF
Ireland that Home Rule would mean
Rome Rule"
Hc referred to the history of the
Emancipation Act and showed how the
Irish people were told that Emanci-
ration would be deferred for genera
tons unless they would compromise
had been deceived by the threat; how
bishops and priests and even the Vat
lean We're willing to accept the meas
urc at The cost of giving hostile gov
eminent voice in the naming of
bishops. But the mass of the Irish
people, true to Rome ana to principle,
refused to accept half measure and
declared their willingness to face con-
tinued persecution rather than COM
promise a principle which they re-
sarded highly. Time indicated their
attitude. Emancipation was soon won
and the proposal that the veto of the
appointment of bishops should rest in
the hands of a hostile government was
buried in oblivion from which it has
never risen.
Mr.. Redmond applies this lesson
to the present political situation
Three years ago." he says, ireland
was asked to accept Il half measure
OF self government, or in the alterna-
tive to face what seemed to many an
indefinite postponement of full sys-
ten of self government; and Ireland
was told then, just as ireland was told
at the time Of the Catholic Veto, that
it she didn't accept anything that was
offered to her she would be taking enor-
nous risks, and that at least this gen
Grafton would pass away without her
getting anything. We'll, Ireland took
the risk, and already tine wisdom OF
that decision has been indicated
Thank God this new year dawns upon
brighter prospects for Home Rule than
any year for the last half century"
Evidently Mr.. Redmond is not so
ready as some would nave us think
to accept any measure of Home Rule
the English government would see fit
to offer.
Referring to the cry that Home Rule
would mean Rome Rule" Mr. Red
mond pointed out the fact that the
Church was willing to accept Emanci-
patton even with the veto reservation
as an illustration to show that it has
not played the part of Dictator in Irish
politics. He declared that though
there has never been race since the
dawn of Christianity more true to the
Holy See, the Professionals of Ireland
need have no fear that under a free
parliament their future wSuld be die
tated by any country.
Under free parliament" he con-
cludes, "the Protestants of Ireland will
have equal rights and privileges with
their Catholic brethren. And in that
new assembly, which is coming, they
will have ample opportunity given to
them to revive the glories of the Prot
estant patriots of 1882. Thank
God, those times are changed; and l
take leave to say that the Catholics of
Ireland today seek only one revenge
on their Protestant fellow countrymen,
and that is to be allowed to extend to
them equally with themselves the
rights and privileges of freemen in a
land which, after all, is theirs as well
as ours"