The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-07-04

be a mere passive pawn in the
sordid game of English party
politics. On one side is the in
SEPARATION of the doctrine of
spiritual and intellectual national
ity which the Gaelic League has
been teaching for a generation.
On the other side is the sudden
realization of the trite old doc
trine of Irish history, that not on
England, not on any English
party, but on their own strong
right arm and on the justice of
God must every Irishman rely,
whether he be Protestant or Cath
Ole. Military discipline thus in
spired has had beneficial effect
upon character. Self-reliance and
self-respect have become deeper
and stronger. Crime has prac-
tically ceased all over the country.
The Catholic Hierarchy has been
quick to see this effect Of the
movement and to encourage it for
that as well as for other reasons.
John MacNeill is the man who
founded the Gaelic League, there
by broadening and deepening and
ennobling the idea of Irish ma
tionality. When Ireland was ready
he said the word and the volunteer
movement sprang into being.
Then events moved apace; a
crisis seemed at hand; but Mac
Neill again spoke the word of
calm good sense and the crisis is
over.
The proper control of the
Volunteers was a troublesome
problem. The conservative ele-
ments in Ireland were made un-
easy by the very idea of arms in
Irish hands for Ireland's cause.
1t sounded revolutionary and dan
gerous. Nor was this feeling
assuaged by the language used by
the other wing which was as
exuberant and famboyant as
could be expected. Meanwhile
the Volunteers need arms, train
ing and all sorts Of supplies. They
need the confidence of the whole
country. From all over the coun-
try Mr.. Redmond has been receiv-
ing urgent inquiries, and recon-
mendations about the Volunteers.
By men whose opinions he cannot
ignore he has been urged to use
his position as Irish leader to Sc
cure and increase the usefulness
of the movement. The founders
Of the movement were disposed to
think that to allow this would be
to identify the movement with one
particular political party, thereby
shutting out Sim Feiners,
O'Brienites, ETC., etc. For their
justifable hesitation they were
called factionists according to a
style Of journalism, Irish and Irish
American, which does not appeal
to the present generation of Irish
men. On the other hand, but in a
similar low style Mr.. Redmond s
courteous suggestion that he and
his fellow-conquer in the Home
Rule struggle ought to have some
voice in the management of the
force that is to guard Home Rule,
has been met on both sides of the
Atlantic with cries of bossism, y
"treachery," etc. This style is out
of date. It may be suitable enough
for the elegant young men Of the
English House of Lords. 1t will
not be tolerated in this new age
when the old-time courtesy and
chivalry of Ireland are coming to
their own again. The dignity and
the good sense of John Redmond
and of John MacNeill are note
worthy features of the whole in
cident, as being an exhibition of
the old time manner and spirit
which rule in Irish politics once
more. They are a guarantee of
the spirit and the method that will
obtain in the politics of free Ire
land.