davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
TOO VIOLENT
Why a Reader Feels Irish Rebels Cannot
Be Likened to Other Revolutionaries.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Dear Sir: II seems to me that your edl-
toria of yesterday on the Irish executions
was Of far too violent tone. While it may
he conceded that the executions were a po-
ltical blunder and painful to a world that is
peculiarly sick of frightfulness, the hcnous-
ness of the offence of the victims should not
be overlooked, nor should they be compared
with the other reyolutonists OF whom your
editorial makes mention
A rebel is yrtuous or otherwise according
to the justice of his cause and the means he
ayails himself Of The American revolution
lists were right. They were a large majority
Of the inhabitants of the colonies. They
were united on a course of action. They were
moderate and specific in their demands. They
did not declare independence or adopt radi-
cal course Of action until year after hos
tlities had broken out In the Civil War
the secessonists were in large majority in
the seeding states They were formally rec
ognized as bellgcrents. 1t would have been
impossible for the North to have conducted
four-years' war on any other theory than
that the Confederates were belligerents, be-
cause the retslistons and reprisals would
have involved both sides.
The analogy to the Italian revolutionsts
is closer, but the Italians had sympathy gem
orally because they were actually oppressed
by the Austrian government. and because
freedom of discussion and Of organization
was so restricted that any method other than
by violence probably impossible. The
Irish reyolutionists were not only seeking
freedom for themselves, and a kind of free
dom to which they had a very doubtful right
unless you grant that any dissatisfied portion
Of a community has a right to associate it.
self from the whole community but were in
tent upon thrustng their system upon
large majority of unwilling compatriots.
The British government should have yield
ed to the claims Of the American colonists
in 1915. The North might have acquiesced
in the secession Of the South, though with
certain injury 20 the prestige Of our nation
and the cause OF democracy and freedom
Austria might have sought an understanding
with the dissatisfied Italians. But the Brit
ish Government could not possibly have failed
20 oppose the Irish revolutionists. In over
towering the rebels many sorcly needed Off
GERS and men were killed. The deaths OF
these men were directly due to the utterly
ineXcusable acts Of the Irish republican"
leaders. Nevertheless, am sorry these men
we're executed.
[ should prefer to nave waited 10 nave act
cd more deliberately and 10 have erred on
the side % clemency. II IS especially be
cause / admire the fine and spirited critical
work Of The Iribune that / have bpen c-rieyed
over this savage editorial OF yours.
HELEN J. MKEEN
Brunswick, Me. Nav -. 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
What Is a Church?

The differences between the Rev. Mr.
Johnston and the vestry of Trinity Church
over in Newark, V hich led to his rosigna-
ton, seem TO have as their basis widely
varying conception of what a church Is.
The clergyman qIotes one vestryman as
saving that a church should be run just
like a grocery store-to please the patrons
and as the proportion Of sinners to
Saints" in Trinitys congregation was nine
TO one the sermons should be such as
would not disturb or irritate the majority.
Against this idea the rector set his own
that a church was more than a corpora
ton or an institution with members and a
governing board, TO be conducted accord
ing TO certain policy. He believed in
preaching without censorship, in discuss
ing present-day problems in their relation
to religion and religions relation to them,
as well as more abstract theology. The
net result he described thus: "Some one
has said that running boys school Is
like sitting on a 1--we volcano. The COM
parison is not inapt. Running parish in
Newark with a conscience alive to ones
social environment and the social demands
Of the religion of Jesus Christ is quite as
interesting and quite as full of volcanic
foci as any boys school,
The situation appears to have been not
unlike the one which resulted in the drop
ping of DR.. Scott Nearing from the Uni
versity Of Pennsylvania. The university
authorities vigorously denied that his ser
vices had been discontinued because Of rad
ical theories dispensing to some Of the
contributors But not long thereafter the
governing body adopted new set of regu-
lations relative to the tenure of Office of
members of the staff which were inter
preted as safeguarding any professor in
future from such an experience as DR.
Meanings.
Clergymen and college professors arc
regarded, and rightly so, as leaders Of pub
lie opinion-public servants in high anc
true sense. A muzZled minister or profes
sor is unthinkabe 1t is fortunate, indeed
that the issue Of freedom of expression OF
opinion by those who should be so i'm
portant in forming the public's views arises
ca eeIdopo
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
The CHARGE AGAINST ENGLAND
IreIands Claim to Liberty as Valid as That
Of Belgium, Poland or Serbia.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The protests against Englands brutal
ity in executing the Irish rebels, many with
out trial, arc not as numerous or as forceful
as they should be. This is especially true
when it is remembered that England drew
the sword as humanty's champion and to
guarantee the integrity of small nations In
the face of these fine pledges she has even
been false to her own make believe Home
Rule law. Yet Ireland's claim 10 independ-
cnce is valid as that OF Belgium, foland'
Bohemia or Serbia.
The men who revoted against England S
treachery and oppression are in the very
same class with Washington. Jefferson,
Franklin. John Adams and all the men who
have bed and died for liberty in every age
and country since the world was young. The
brilliant young Irshmen are sneered at for
being dreamers and idealists. What would
the world be without its dreamers and ideal
lists. and especially those VINO possess so
much OF the divine deaiism that they are
willing to die rather than renounce their
dream? Psarse, Clark, Marlborough, PUNK
1T and Connolly have done for their fellow
men all that human beings could do. Great
or love hath no man than this
Eneland's defenders feebly and foolshly
remind US of their country's clemeney to
Colonel Lynch. Why should clemency to
Lynch be proclaimed as an act OF super
human magnanimity when the leader OF the
tyrant's executioners spared Kruger. De Wet
and Botha. and why. under the so-called Lib
eral government of the present day, should
there be one kind of law for rebels IN South
Africa and another for those in Ireland?
We men and women Of Irish blood m
American accuse England of the rape Of
women and the assassination OF men, we &C
cuse her Of destroying Ireland's trade and
commerce and thereby inficting on that ISL
and a condition of poverty and ignorance un-
eoualled in Western Europe; we accuse her
Of religious persecution against members Of
the Roman Catholic faith unparalleled IN
the world. All that the Jews and Poles
charge against Russia, thv Hungarans
against Austria, the Armenians against ur-
kew and the Belgians against Germany the
irish truthfully charge against England.
SARA M'PIKE.
New York, May IA, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
False American History.
. Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Dear Sir: The letter OF Rose H. rheips
in Yesterdays issue,.in which she says: AS
= child was taught that our own Revolt
bonarv War and our War of 1912 were no.
won by the British IS an excellent illus'fS'
ton of the false history taught in our Schools
which gives the people an erroneous impress
sion Of our capacity "to lick creation
Our Revolutionary War was but campaign
in a worldwide struggle wagcd b. Grea'
Britain against France. Spain and Holland IN
addition 10 the revolving colonies. The present
war is not more widespread than those
fought between 1916 and 1888, and u cal
truthfuly be said that, taking the war rs
whole, England was the victor. The ayo~ed
objects of France and Spain we're 20 take
Gibraltar and to land large army % Eng-
land. Both these missions failed utterly, ah1
the conclusion Of the war saw the navies o.
the allied powers reduced practically 20 noin-
ing. and French influence in India had passed
to Great Britain. Those results we're Tar
more important at that time than the cues
ton Of the American colonies. which was
merely a side issue IN a worldwide drama.
As to the War OF 1912. We have again inc
scene Of England fighting European powers
and the American campaign was Of very small
relative Importance However, We were not
allied with Napoleon, so our struggle vas
strictly limited to the two countries and me
Napoleonic feature does not belong 10 me
War OF 1872 except TO indicate what Dree'
Britain had to contend with at the time
No American who knows the facts can loos
back on the land operations Of that war Win
out a feeling Of shame. With the oxcepuo"
Of the battle Of New Orleans fought aiiet
the treaty Of peace had been signed We io''
every important engagement on land, due 10
our fatuous military policy. The only re-
deeminc features OF the struggle we're me
achievements Of our navy. They we're giof-
ous. but being sngle-ship encounters ns'
absolutely no effect on the military SITUATION
except the solitary case Of the battle OF LaAe
Erie: and the cause OF the war was NOT eve"
mentioned in the treaty OF peace We iouS"-
for two years, with distinct object. ana '"'
result was 20 leave conditions as they were
before. Can that be considered "a our VIC
tory? IL is no argument 20 say that Urea
Britain never resorted 10 the search az sea
methods again. She never had any reason ID
until the present war. and in the inter
vening hundred years change OF sent1men'
brought her TO the same position We then
took; and. IN addition, Great Britain $1,000
committed to the same policy through the
Trent" affair of 1851.
Yes. Rose Phelps, your instructors "crueiy
deceived you, just they are decevins tne
youth OF the country to-day. and II Is TINS
impression OF our invlncibiity. received from
our school histories. that makes II 80 easy
for the pacifst 10 delude our countrymen.
AMERICAN.
Washington, D. C., May Ii, 1915. .GiS~A
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
The New Washington.

From Tie Sprtnof,Id Republican,
To-day Washington offers vivid contrast
to the Washington of only few years ago.
The Potomac River front, once consisting Of
dump heaps and unsightly swamps, has grad
ually been transformed into spacious and
beautiful park, which is becoming a true
public playground and an object lesson to
municipalities throughout the country OF the
manner in which river front may be i'm
proved. There in the park, close to the river
bank the Lincoln memorial Of white marble
is being erected In its unfinished state IT
is impressive even. now, as il raises its mas
sive bulk above an artificial hill that will
cause its tempe-like outlines to stand VIVID
TO the distant view Eventually the long
awaited memorial bridge across the Potomac
to the green slopes Of the National Cemetery
at Arlington will have its approaches near
the Lincoln memorial and will serve as the
most fitting emblem of the reunion Of North
and South. The bridge has been an unreal
lied dream for many years, but both neces-
sity and the rare suitability Of the plan as
sure II.
Whether the Lincoln memorial in its final
beauty and impressiveness will rank as one
Of the great memorials Of the world is a
question the answer to which must wait upon
its completion. To-day the unfinished struct-
ure suggests great dignity. and those who IN
the studio of Daniel {. French have seen the
model of the statue which is TO be its chief
feature report that also 70 be a very notable
work OF art. Yet the scale on which this
memorial, costing 100000, has been con
ceived. prompts the thought how strange It
and the rest Of the transformed city would
seem 20 Lincoln himself if, in the quiet cool
ness Of a spring night in these portentous
times 4 tall. shawl-clad figure could be i'm
agined wandering up and down. spirit anX-
iously brooding over the turn which our ma
tional destines may take
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Mawkish America.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Commenting on your article TINS oay
regarding the above, permit me to hazard the
oninion that the United States has become
psychologcslly unfit to pass on such mat
Ter A country that has degenerated to
state so historically feminine and neurotic
as TO take the antics OF Sing Sing prison
seriously and to tolerate and gush over the
netting and pampering of the vilest criminals
of the land is surely in no mt condition to
Judge nationally of the punlshments meted
out to leaders of the recent revolt IN Ireland.
The people here have grown so accustomed
to concentrate their sympathies upon the
iailbird-cunman and desperate and TO the al
deviation of his hard lot or shall we say nara
luck?) that they have become utterly oo-
livious TO the interests Of the general com
munity. whose rights and safety the lmmured
rascal has so gravey menaced.
This mawkish sentimentality, these cnesp
tears for avowed traitors, are merely nau-
seating. Consider. if you can, for moment
the hundreds of lives-many Of them CIVIL
ian and some women-sscrihced IN Dublin
for the insane vanity of the executed rebels.
What do insurrectonists expect pray, as the
reward of treacherous and unsuccessful trea-
SON against the state. plotted and carried out,
moreover. in a time OF deadliest foreign war
Bouquets and feting? The English govern
ment has decided otherwise, and rightly so.
New York, May -, 1916. ANGLlCOS'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16

is not exhausted. She has found in the
Verdun victory precisely the same inspi-
ration which the First Republic drew
from Nalmy. Peace is possible, so far as
France is concerned on terms which
abolish the ancient wrong and leave
France fortified by her sacrifices and
secured by her valor. But all other peace
is for Frcnchmen who have seen their
dead who have marched to battle amid
the ruins Of their cities and their villages
their cathedrals and their churches, an
empty mockcry.
The German campaign at Verdun was
blow at the heart of France, as the Ger
mans have said; not because Nerdun was
the heart-Verdun was nothing-but be-
cause the Germans. believing France was
war-weary. dcspairing and disappointed,
hoped. having exacted new sacrifices, to
come at the soul Of the nation, to conquer
il and have done.
The true answer was made at Ncrdun.
Not Poincare but Petain delivered 1t. But
the words of the President reecho those OF
the guns. France is going forward to the
end. the end that she believes will be VIC
tory; but the end which if it means defeat
and conquest. will not be less toerablc than
the nightmare of recent years. In the his
tory of the war Toncare's statement will
remain notable because it utterly denro-
ishos the fabric Of German peace manGu-
wiring and makes clear to the whole world
that that issue, still unsettled, must be set
tied before France. the nation which has
suffered most and dared most, will give
over the conflict.
More than any other of the nations al
lied against Germany France is entitled
10 speak i'm the matter of peace. She has
now spoken. and her words arc conclusive.
The Germans have not taken Verdun nor
conquered France. twill need new cam
paign to do this. and while French deter
mination endures peace talk elsewhere Is
empty. futile and should be dismissed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Public Health Threatened.

The public health committee of the
New York Academy Of Medicine protests
very properly against the monstrous reso-
luton lately introduced in Congress by
Senator Works, Of California, for no
imaginable purpose except to injure or
discredit the enGeavors of the United
States Public Health Service. If Senator
Works were TO have his way no officer or
other person in this service would be per-
mitted to join or be associated in any
manner whatever with any public or pri-
vate medical or scientific society.
A more preposterous and absurd pro-
posal was never laid before body of leg
islators for serious consideration. If the
object is to separate the members Of the
Public Health Service from all others con-
cerned in similar or kindred efforts it is
rightly conceived and, indeed considering
the whimsical views of the Senator and
his woful ignorance of the problems of
public health, it is clear that that is pre-
cisely what he aims at his supposition
being that the American Medical Associa-
ton and all associations Of scientific men
are essentially evil
No one who has ever heard or read the
vain and extravagant rhapsodies Of Sena-
tor Works is likely to mistake him for a
thinker or one competent either by nature
or training to form a reasoned opinion on
public health, but there is some danger
that he may impart to others who do not
take the trouble 10 think for themselves
some tincture Of his own suspicion that
the great medical societies are engaged in
a conspiracy to control the administration
of public health for their own profit.
Even the densest must see. however,
that in an enterprise Of this kind il is Of
essential Importance that the officers of
the government should be in close touch
with those engaged in medical work
throughout the country and that nothing
could be better calculated to paralyze the
central body than TO forbid association
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Vodkales, Russia.

Fr0UI IHf UTfToII J0HTNdII
Lo the poor Russian! Since vodka has
been prohibited crime has decreased So per
cent. suicide has diminished. hospitals that
once were overcrowded are now untitled, eff
cheney in factories has increased Is per cent,
savings deposits have increased 10 per cent,
fire damage has fallen off 80 per cent. people
are eating better food the clothing and gro
Gerry trade has enjoyed an excess Of profit.
Imprisonment has decreased y per cent and
the death rate from drunkenness has de
creased enormously These most interesting
statistics must be discounted in large meas
urc By the fact that the war has operated in
precisely the same way in France. Cheer up;
What drink Ia ut doinS powder is dolaS.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Silent Contempt.
n OF The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: How foolish it is for Englsnmen TO
take any notice of your article on England's
failures. etc II would be the wisest plan to
treat all such with silent contempt, as they
deserve. England knows what she is doing
without any comment from American news
papers or correspondents. She will be a
Great factor in the settlement OF the war.
/ am an Irishman and may not agree with
England in all things, but at the same time
am free to confess that | consider the Brit
ish Empire the freest and best government in
the world She rules about one-ffth Of the
world, about FIVE hundred millions of peo-
pie. with scarcely hitch. She IS the pro-
tector of all religions and, thank God, she
has nothing like German and Irish votes to
pander TO- JAMES MDONALD.
New York May 10. 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Sheer Nonsense.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: To an American citizen, born IN hdin-
burgb Scotland, where Home Rule for Ire
land was born, your editorial, "Ihe lr'sh
Folly" comes about as near being sheer non
sense as anything / have ever read on the
srbicc, Irish rebels. forsooth! irish PATROLS
indeed Surely your editorial sanetum mas
boon invaded by some sort OF poison ths'
has deprived you Of the power TO reason
When were treason, murder. assassination
as patriotism? And your fulsome
nraisc Of the United States in its conduct
toward the "rebels" of the Civil War! There
is no comparison possible, it is folly to At
tempt it. 1T
Nothing about the murder OF loyal lrlsn-
mon and Irish women, not word about the
Scots and English in the suppress,
sion Of this most cowardly stab IN inc PACK
There have now teen two editorials written
bv The Tribune, first British Failure Sec
ond "The Irish Folly" and both as Unfair
,,,iuet and false as they can be. There re-
r,aire but ono more to write, "Edltorial
Tdiocvr where you could make an appeal
70 Murphv. O'Gormsn, Dewey. etc. TO conc
ON and vote for Teddy, to help llberate inc
United States III u,,os-
You have as much idea OF the lrisn queS
t;on as G.. Sylvester Viereck has about BRUSH
notifies and that, according to the Two eu'-
torials YOU have written. is none at all.
A GLADSTONAN LIBERAL.
puFalo. n Y, May II, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
This Monsrel Nation.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: | did not read your article on Brit
ish Failure" that so many OF your CORE
spondents refer to in your parade day" issue
Of the 18th inst, but / have read many such.
Now, let me say 10 you and any OF your
that you needn't worry about
Britain or her empire or their failures. The
big reserves win wars always. don't they
Didn't the French reserve win Yorktown
Il did And the very least this country
could do would be 10 send the Marine
Band to play the "Marseillsise" behind the
French trenches 70 cheer them up a bit.
and incidentally show the world where this
populations sympsthies really lie.
instead Of trying TO get their heads sosped
By Dutch concessions.
Bah! my country. lis Of thee"
JAMES MACPHERSON.
Trenton. y. j.. May 10. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
That Englishwoman.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: It was with feeling of disgust that
read letter, signed "Englishwoman,' in
this mornings Tribune. 1t occurred to me
that England would be the proper place for
her to live al this time. as no doubt she
could give vent to her feelings over there
with greater enthusiasm, and at least sign
her name 10 such classics as she sent you.
| wonder il she has heard the song. Don't
Bite the Hand That's Feeding You? thor
ough perussl OF it might possibly do her
some good, although III venture to predict
that she'll stay in America for a while.
Z. +. NORTON
New York, May 10, 1916
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
A Bite in the Hand.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: An Englishwoman, IN answer TO
British Failure" calls Americans towards.
First might request that Americans be not
Judged by the action, of our President. Their
might ask If this woman and her male
relatives are so brave as TO call Americans
towards. why are they not in England where
they belong az this, time. They are content
20 make their living in this country, as are
the German bomb-makers, but are every
ready to bite the hand that feeds them.
AN AMERICAN.
New York, May IS, 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Beneath the British Heel.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Your leader The Irish Folly" strikes
st zenith the poignant discriminating note.
Though il reached is blossoming entsn-
ged with poisonous vines, it is still the pure
lily of liberty that lies again crushed and
blood-stained beneath the British heel.
Ave England, Close third to your brother
liberty-killers, the Infamous Nicholas. the
bloody Wilhelm-more hypocritica and stu
pid than either. W. 5. G.
New York, May IL, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16

with learned bodies elsewhere. Without
the cooperation o. all concerned in work
of this nature the United States Public
Health Service would be useless and might
as well be abolished outright. Such an
event would probably crafty Senator
Works, but it may be hoped that few share
his unenlightencd conception Of the mat
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16

You can purchase merchandise advertised
in THE TRIBUNE with absolute safety-ior
II dissatisfaction results in any case thu
TRIBUNE guarantees to pay your money bacL
upon request. No rcd tape, no quibbling. We
axe good promptly il the advertiser docs not