The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-03-28
CONTINUED from Page u

which he said he spoke the unanimous
sentiments of the party. Mr.. Red
mond claimed that the attitude of the
party on this question had been
throughout uniform and consistent.
1--WE have never been such foQls;'
he said, las not to recognize that
the hostility and opposition Of a sec.
ton Of our own people. whether large
or small, would necessarily initiate
severely against the smooth and sue
cessful start of a new government and
a new parliament.
"But from the very start of this
controversy we have declared that
we desire, so far as it rested with us,
that the interests of these men should
be scrupulously protected; that their
fears, as far as possible, should be
removed; and that even their pre-
JUDGES should be treated with consid-
Grafton and with tenderness; and
speaking in the name of my col
leagues, have repeatedly stated that,
for the sake of peace, we were willing
to make great sacrifices of our own
sentiments and many of our most
cherished ideals.
I'VE believe it is true that this has
all been adequately done in the
clauses of the Bill as it stands, but
when we found-and l recognize quite
frankly that we have found it beyond
question-that different view was
taken by the representatives of that
part of Ulster concerned, then we de.
clared that we were prepared to go
still further, to go. in fact, any
lengths, for the sake of peace, con-
sistent with the main and essential
principles of the Bill"
Only As the Price Of Peace.
Mr.. Redmond said that the Prime
Minister had gone to ''the very ex-
tremest limits of concession"
mo one would expect me to say
that I like these proposals. All I
could possibly say by way of COM
mendation of them is that, If they
were frankly accepted, they would
elicit beyond doubt or question, by a
free ballot, the real opinion of the
people of Ulster; and may l be al
lowed to say without offence that my
personal belief is that that opinion,
so ELECTED after the Bill had been
passed into law, would surprise
great many people both in this coun.
try and in Ulster.
IF this proposal of the government
be frankly accepted by those of our
fellow countrymen who, unfortunately,
are still our opponents on this matter,
as basis of agreement and of peace
itself, we. on our side, are prepared
to accept it in the same spirit, and we
are prepared to use all our influence
with our people to induce them to
work it with complete loyalty and
good faith. But we can only acquiesce
on that condition to proposal which
admittedly, on its merits, we do not
like upon that condition.
But the sacrifice must not be all
on one side. We can only acquiesce
II our acquiescence meets with frank
acceptance by those of our fellow
countrymen who are unfortunately ar
rayed against us on this matter. If
they refuse and reject these proposals,
then we can no longer accept these
nor any other weakening in the Bill
as it stands. If they reject them, then
we ask that the Bill should pass as it
stands"
The Duty Of the Government.
In conclusion, Mr.. Redmond said:
Il do not like to come to any hasty
conclusion, but If, as it seems likely
from the speech Of the Leader of the
Opposition-aye, in a moment of un-
wisdom and passion-which they will
deeply regret, reject this far-reaching
and generous suggestion, and spurn
the sacrifice which the Nationalist
party are willing to make for the sake
of peace, then I say the path of duty
for the majority of this House lies
clear before them. The duty they
owe, not only to ireland, but to them
selves, to the United Kingdom, and,
I believe, to the whole of the Empire,
is to proceed forthwith with this Bill
as it stands, delaying not one single
unnecessary hour in placing it on the
Statute Book, and facing with firm
ness and resolution and with all the
resources at their command any move.
ment which may arise to overawe
Parliament or subvert the law by the
menace of arms"
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