The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-05-13
FORMER IRISH N. P. SAYS De
FACT0G0vE vERNMENT PLANNED
ST. LOUSAN WHO RESIDED IN IRELAND UNTIL 1912 AND
WAS ACTIVE LEADER IN MOVEMENT RESIGNS FROM
HOUSE OF COMMONS TO AID cAUsE-REcoUNrs HIS
TORY OF ORGANIZATION

celebrated Patriot Parliament of Grat-
tan maintained for eighteen glorious
years, the national independence of
Ireland. In 1901, the Act of Union
was passed, destroying the Irish Par
lament, but strange to say the Re-
nunciation Act, guaranteeing Ireland's
independence for all time, was never
repealed. Furthermore, Griffith ably
maintained that the Irish Parliament,
which consented to the union with
England, exceeded it's authority in so
doing, and he quoted learned lawyer
of the Union days, Lord Chancellor
Plunkett, who declared that the Act Of
Union was nullity, which no man in
Ireland was bound to obey. Fortified
with these historical claims, Griffith
declared that the Irish Parliament had
never been legally dissolved, and that
in restoring it to active life, Irishmen
were acting within the constitution
| England.
Passive Resistance Policy.
But, of course, it was felt that the
establishment of this de facto govern
mcnt must be linked with an aggres-
sive anti-EnSlish policy, and, again
following the example of Hungary un-
der the guidance Of Franz Deak, Grit.
fifth proposed Il policy of passive resist
ancc. Not alone was the authority of
i the British Government to be ignored,
not alone were its instruments to be
bOycottcd, but an effort was to be
made to make the government of Ire
land by England futile and proiitless
task. This was to be done on the one
hand by refusing to contribute to the
taxes needed for the upkeep Of the
Irish government, and on tho other
hand by boycotting Eritish-made
goods. Regarding the refusal to pay
taxes, Griffith pointed out that all that
was needed was united effort by the
Irish people.
The great bulll OF the revenue COL
lected in Ireland by the British Gov
ernment, amounting at that time to
$50, ,O00, 900, was collected by means of
indirect taxation, taxes being imposed
on such commodities as wine and spir-
it's, tobacco, tea and coffee. BY alb
staining altogether from the use of
these commodities, more than half of
the revenues derived from Ireland by
England would be cut off. The boy
colt Of Drtish-made goods, it was
pointed out, would have n two-fold ef-
feet. 1t would deprive English manu-.
facturcrs OF a considerable market,
and it would stimulate the develop.
ment Of native industries in Ireland.
or course, the development of new in
dustries would require capital and
capitalists arc naturally shy about in
vesting under such circumstances as
Griffith proposed, but reliance was
placed on tho patriotism Of wealthy
Irishmen and Irisll-Americans, and it
was pointed out, too, that by co-opera-
tive means, a considerable amount of
capital could be raised.
Shortly after tho Sim Fein policy
was promulgated l was elected to rep.
resent the constituency of North Lei
trim in the British House of Com
mons. An opportunity did not offer
to give careful consideration to Grif-
lith's proposals for several months
after had taken my seat, but as soon
as l had given them careful study
felt that they presented many valua-
bic features. .....
Determines to Resign.
Strange to say, the proposal that i'm.
pressed me most Of all was that Irish
members should refuse to sit in the
British House of Commons; and yet
perhaps it was not strange that an
Irish member should feel that way,
for one could not help realizing the
impotence of the Irish parliamentary
party, out-voted, to 1, and also the
demoralizing effect on the national
movement, of the presence Of Irish
men in the British Parliament, felt
very strongly that our presence there
was an implied recognition of Eng
lands right to make laws for Ireland,
and that before we could successfully
battle for our own rights we must
first repudiate England's usurped
rights. Accordingly, determined to
resign my seat and seek reelection on
the Sim Fein platform. I knew that
I could not expect to succeed against
the opposition of the whole Redmond
political machine, but l wanted to
bring the new policy prominently be.
fore the people.
Indeed. 1t might seem that there
was no real reason why we should
have had to face the opposition Of the
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