The Irish standard., 1913-07-26
Scotland Has Followed in Ireland's
Footsteps by Demanding
Home Rule.
Despite the Fact That Five Bills
Have Been Rejected by the
British Parliament
The People Are to be Rewarded
After Duplicating the Heroic
Struggle of the Irish.

The following conspectus of Scot
lands struggle for elf-GovernmentI
by William Laughland, President Of
the Young Scots Society, will be read
with interest by every lover of free
dom:
That's the end of an auld sang
Such We're the words used by Lord
High Commissioner Seatield as he
put his signature to the Act of Union
of 1907, and thus closed the life Of
Scotland as an independent nation.
Hitherto Scotland had had parlia-
ment which, in spite OF all it's de-
fects and failings had done great
things for the country. The laws it'll
passed prove that the Scottish people
ernment, and when one contem-
plates the subsequent history of the
country. the movements continu-
ally going on, the change in it's econ
omic outlook, one cannot help regret
ting that the Scots were not left alone
to develop their own resources in their
own way, to meet the chaging condi-
tions with legislation adapted thereto,
and to solve the ever-recurring prob
lens of national life along the lines
OF Scottish thought, outlook and ideal.
SeotIand's Independent Life Ceased.
This could easily have been done by
making the Union Federal instead Of
an incorporate one, and the Wisest men
in Scotland issued serious warnings
against incorporation. What they pre-
dicted came to pass. The Independent
life of Scotland ceased. Her repre-
sentatives to the London parliament
were too few in number to make their
presence felt amongst the overwhelm-
ing numbers of the English represent
atives. Along with this we had Eng
lish statesmen in the most domineer-
ing way pursuing course which could
all institutions peculiar to Scotland
and as a consequence the complete alb
sorbtion of Scotland as a mere prov
ince or county of England. ~
Through it all, however, the Scots
clung tenaciously to their laws, GUS
toms, and institutions, and ever and
anon the demand for Self-Government
was heard in the land. In the middle
of the last century there was deter
mined agitation for Scottish secre-
tary of state, responsible for legisla-
ton and administration. This was ap-
posed for the usual reason, "It will
make for separation" but in 1885 the
victory was gained, and, secretary
with cabinet rank was conceded.
Learned the Irish Peoples Struggle.
This step gained. the pressure for
Home Rule was maintained. This
pressure undoubtedly gathered
strength from the example of Ireland
and her determined fight for freedom;
But, be that as it may, it is evident
that for considerable time the coun-
try was realizing that her only hope
lay in complete control of her own af-
fairs. Curiously enough, the Scotch
man" newspaper, now bitter oppon-
ent of Home Rule, led in the agita-
111,1 NJ
national Self-Government.
In 1889 DR.. Clark moved a resolu-
tion in the House of Commons in IA
varof Scottish Home Rule, which was
defeated by a majority of 121 votes
In the following year the same reso-
luton lost by 40; in 1892 the majority
fell to 20 and in 1893 we find that il
was further reduced to 1S.
A Majority Of Forty.
In 1892 DR.. Hunter prepared and in
troduced a Scottish Home Rule bill
! which, however, never received a Sec
ond reading. To Mr.. (now Sir Henry
Dalziel falls the honor of being the
nrst to carry resolution in favor Of
| Scottish Home Rule. This was in the
year 1894, and the majority recorded
was 40. 1t is quite interesting to read
+: the debates of these times and note
/ the sameness of the arguments USED
| on either side then and now. Those
who spoke in favor of 1t urged that