New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-14

OF England, 1910
wv THEN rebellion has failed men say it
w was wicked or foolish. 1t is, on the
contrary wickedness and folly to
Judge in these terms. If men rise against au-
thority the measure of their act cannot be 10y
atty or prudence. 1t is the character Of the
authority against which men revolt that must
shape ones mind. No free man sets an ulti-
mate value on his life. No free man sets an
ultimate sanction on authority. Is it just au-
thority, representative, tolerable? The only
revolt that is wicked or foolish is the revolt
against reasonable or tolerable authority II
authority is not livable, revolt is thousand
times justified.
The Irish rebellion was not prudent. It's
imprudence did not weigh with the men who
took to arms. Had hope inspired them they
would have been utterly insane. But hope did
not inspire them. They longed for success,
they risked and expected death. The only con-
sequence to us, wrote Padric Pearse before
action, is that some of US may be launched into
eternity. But who are we, that we should
hesitate to die for Ireland. Are not the claims
of Ireland greater on US than any personal
ones? Is it fear that deters us from such an
enterprise? Away with such fears! towards
die many times, the brave only die once" To
strike decisive blow was the aspiration Of the
Irish rebels But decisive or not, they made up
their minds to take action before the govern
ment succeeded in attaching all their arms
In this rebellion there was no chance Of ma
terial victory. Pearse, MacDonagh, Connolly,
Clark. Plunkett. O'Rahilly, O.Hanrahan, Daily,
ov,1,- Ior met
hope. But their essential objective was not a
soldiery. 1t was an idea, the idea of unpro-
tested English authority in Ireland. 1t was to
protest against the Irish nation remaining
Grown Colony Of the British Empire that these
men raised their republican standard and un-
der it shed their blood. In the first process OF
that revolt few Of them were Immediately sac
rificed Their fight was we'll planned. They
made the most Of their brief hour. But when
they were captured the authority they had OPP
posed fulfilled their expectations to the utmost
Before three army officers, without legal
defender. each Of the leaders was condemned
bv court martial Their rebellion had been
open. Their guilt was known and granted.
They met, as they expected to meet, death.
The insurrection in Ireland is ended. A cold
tribunal has finished by piecework the task
that the soldiers began. The British Empire
; is still dominant in Dublin. But ruthless and
remorseless behavior sharpens the issue be-
tween authority and rebellion. Even men who
naturally condemn disorder feel impelled TO
scrutinize the authority which could deliber-
ately dispense such doom. If that authority
deserved respect in Ireland, if it stood for
Justice and the maintenance of right, its exac-
ton of the pound Of flesh cannot be questioned
1t does not represent "frightfulness." 1t rep
resents stern justice. It's hand should be uni
versally upheld But if, on the other hand,
English authority did not deserve respect in
Ireland, if it had forfeited its claims on these
Irishmen, then there is something to be made
known and said about the way in which this
Empire can abuse its power.
Between the Irish people and English au
thority as every one knows, there has been an
interminable struggle. tolerable solution OF
this contest has only recently seemed In sight
The military necessity Of England has Of itself
precluded one solution, the complete indepen-
dence Of Ireland The desire for self-govern-
ment in Ireland has opposed another solution,
complete acquiescence in the union. Between
these two goals the struggle has ragged bitterly.
But human beings cannot live forever in profit
less conflict. After many years the majority
of the English people took up and ratified the
Irish claims to self-government. In spite OF
the conservative element in England and the
British element in Ireland, the mod1ls Uivendi
of Home Rule was arranged. 1t is the fate OF
this rrodus Uivendi, accepted by the majority OF
nrod,,s giuendj, accepted by the majority OF
Irishmen as a reasonable communication OF their
claims. that explains the recent instruction.
These men who are dead were once for the most
part Home Rulers Their rebellion came about
as a sequel to the unjust and dishonest hand
ling Of Home Rule.
For thirty-fve years Home Rule has been an
issue in Great Britain. The majority of the
British people supported Gladstone during
many Home Rule sessions. The lower house OF
Parliament repeatedly passed the measure
The House of Lords, however. turned face
of stone to Ireland. 1t Jelly rejected lreland's
offer TO compound her claims This irrecon-
cable attitude proved in the end so monstrous
that English Liberalism revolted. 1t threw its
weight against the rigid body that denied IT.
II compelled the House of Lords to accept the
Parliament act, its scheme for circumventing
the peers veto. Then, three times in success
sion, it passed the Home Rule bill.
Every one knows what happened. During
6 he hill tho fOrcae that cOuld