The Irish standard., 1911-03-04

the ascendancy of any class or any
creed" Gould any thing be clearer?
Could anything be fairer? After such
a public declaration, often before pro.
claimed and now expressed once
again at moment of such supreme
importance, it is idle to flourish the
religious DOGGY in the faces of Eng.
lishmen, and to pretend that Home
Rule means religious persecution. 1t
simply means liberty and the right
of every class of Irishmen to work
for the prosperity of their own coun.
try. It means that Ireland will be
free to carve out her own fortune, to
influence her own we'll being, and to
conduct her own domestic affairs in
the way best pleasing to herself. She
VIII still be part Of the British En-.
pire, after Home Rule as now before
she obtains it. But with this differ
ence: in future she will be content.
ed unit, and, We confidently believe,
a prosperous one. In her prosperity
and by her contentment the whole
empire will be benefited. An old
weakness will be removed at home,
and source of strength will be dis.
covered abroad. A friendly Ireland
means the friendliness of America
and the glad approval of our col
onies.
The settlement Of the Irish ques-
ton means, too, that here in Eng
land and Scotland the day of religious
peace will dawn for us. We shall
have no more internal conflicts. The
whole Catholic community will be
welded into solid mass. And that,
especially for a religious minority
dwelling amidst an overwhelming ma
jority Of different faith, is consum-
nation devoutly to be wished. Nor
need it be feared that the influence of
Catholic Ireland will! be lost to the
Catholics of England. So far from
that, our conviction Is that the in
fuence of Catholics in Ireland will be
greater and more beneficial for us,
in the event of any danger to our re-
ligion or our schools, than it is at
present. Now, under existing circum-
stances, Irishmen are practically in
permanent opposition to every gov.
eminent, even when friendly, they
are unallied. Then they will form a
part, a friendly part, of the system
of imperial administration and organ
ization. Ireland, under self govern
ment, will be neither separated from
Great Britain nor excluded from her
councils. And it is to us inconceiv-
able that with such a strong Catholic
body near our shores the government
at Westminster will dream of exercis-
ing any power inimical to the inter,
ests Of British Catholics. Were they
they would speedily be brought to
book. A single election in England
Il simple representation from ireland
would teach them wisdom which, We
believe, they are never likely to re-
quire to be taught. And Catholics in
Great Britain, welded as they would
be in a homogeneous body, alert, ac-
tive, fearless, trusting their spiritual
leaders and obedient to them, could
give such an account of themselves
as would make the most venturesome
ministry think twice and thrice be
fore it challenged resistance. We
have not shown ourselves so craven
hearted in the past as to tremble be
fore the chances, most probably vain
and imaginary, of possible future
At the worst, we can we'll take care
Of ourselves. And at the best, we car
rely upon the friendship and coop
Grafton of our brethren In ireland
They are about to receive the reward
of their long years of waiting anC
striving. They will be given Home
Rule. Most unfeignedly do we. re
joice that justice has been made pos
sible at last. The cause of self-gov
eminent for Ireland has entailed stub
born fights, bitter misrepresentation
and incalculable prejudice. The day
of victory has dawned, and all dark
ness will soon be dissipated IRELAND
free will mean Ireland happy. Ant
the freedom and happiness of such {
nation is something for which to bless
God and thank Him.
SIINnAV I'M IPET.ANn