The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-02-22

progress of the community. Religious
differences will be extinguished in
Ulster after a months evidence that
the old savage cries of fanaticism,
motived and inflamed by the inter-
ested spirit OF ascendancy, are no
longer of any use. Catholics abhor
the bare idea of persecution and they
are sure to act in such manner that
the most touchy Protestant fears will
be allayed and set at rest. Home
Rule is not given to lrishmen to all
lrishmen without distinction Of class
or creed. That it will benefit Cath
olics We are certain. And we are
equally certain that it will benefit
Protestants, too. 1t will benefit all
Ireland, as every measure of freedom
and justice benefits every country.
Ireland, all Irishnen in Ireland have
now their fortune in their hands, and
most heartily do we wish that it NAV
be full and fair.
no 7ouSo OF Lords.
We may seem to have been assum-
ing that the bill is safely through the
House OF Lords. Frankly, we think
it makes little difference whether the
Lords pass it or delay it: they can
no longer reject it. II they pass it at
once. we'll and good, perhaps better
If not, they merely give time for Ul-
ster opponents to survey the situa-
ton and prepare to accept it. For, as
We have said, Ulstermen are shrewd
enough to see where their interest
lies. But, in any case, the bill is
safe, for it has behind it the backing
OF those whose votes will turn the
scales at the next general election,
namely, the votes of the orsanized
Workingmen of Great Britain. This
time. the Home Rule bill is a British
workingmens bill. They have sup
ported it. not only because it was
Just to Irishmen, but also because it
Is necessary in order to win Justice
for Englishmen. And it is this fact,
this new fact, which may not be lost
on the Lords
Home Rule for England.
They will, if they oppose Home Rule
Tor ~ Ireland. he held by the British
democracy to be opposing Home Ruie
for England. The English working
:
man wants Ireland out of the way, so
that he may have a clear course ahead
towards the attainment of social and
Industrial reforms. To block his path
will prove pcrilous. lie will UNDER
stand and repay. He has not been
quiet and calm and expectant With
out good reason Anyhow, let the
House of Lords do what it will. 1t
cannot kill the soul of feIreland, and
that in large measure because it can
not kill the soul of England. And the
soul of England is tho determine ton
of the democracy to achieve reforms
in its condition and improvement in
its lot in life. for the achievement of
which Irish Home Rule is "a prelim-
mary step. The men who have car
ried the self-government for Ireland
bill are representative of working
class opinions apd hopes. Tn those
opinions and hopes they are and ever
have been supported by the Irish Ma
| tionalist members. of Parliament. To-
gether they have carried Home Rule
| for Ireland. Together they will carry
| Home Rule for England. One Of their
tasks is completed. We congratulate
them upon, it. We believe it will
| prove an unmixed blessing And.
should they be forced to submit to
some small delay in rcaping the l,ar-
vest which they have sown, that will
but give time and opportunity to all
of us to recognize the labor and trial
and expectancy which go to the sum
! Of the task of securing freedom and
: justice for a. noble and devoted and
warm hearted people. EngIishmcn
who have helped Ireland to obtain
her rights will find that Irishmen will
in time gratefully help England to
! win hers. Freedom is an overf1owing
and an ever widening stream.