The Irish standard., 1916-03-11

have been deprived of the knowledge
and inspiration which their presence
and eloquence always assured.
Has Hostility to English Rule Changed
to Loyalty?
In the reported addresses to their
constituents and their speeches in
Parliament consist the only inform
alton which we possess of their attitude
and policy concerning the relations of
Ireland to England Assuming this
attitude and policy to be correctly re-
ported, it is, to put it mildly, cause for
astonishment. That hostility to Eng
lish rule in Ireland which has been
maintained for centuries in the face
of famine and persecution has sud
denly been transformed into Jealous
loyalty, that for an empty formula la
belled Home Rule Ireland has aban
doned her historic attitude and kissed
the rod that has scourged her, that the
men of Irish blood in America who
have sustained her in her struggle and
believed in her sincerity have been
mistaken or betrayed, challenge our
credence, and, if true. tend to destroy
our hopes and faith in ourselves and
in humanity.
If true, is question that we have
a right to ask, not alone for our en-
lightenment as to the past and pres
ent, but for our guidance in the fu-
ture. In asking this question we do
not dispute the right of the people in
Ireland to Shape their own destiny to
the extent of their power. We recog-
nize that whatever we may have done
or may do to aid her was and will be
of an auxiliary character, but whether
she has become in heart as we'll as in
form contented and loyal constitu-
ent of the British Empire is funda.
mental, and goes to the very root of
cause for any aid or sympathy in
America for the people in Ireland.
| 1t must be recognized that on the
surface what might be termed the Of
fetal voice of Ireland is raised in loyal
chorus to England. The members Of
Parliament, with one honorable excep-
ton, are unanimous in their acclaim
of Irish loyalty. If they truly repre-
sented the people of Ireland, their at
titude would be conclusive, and, while
to some it might evoke disagreement,
to none would it Justify interference. 1t
may, however, be justly urged that
; many years have elapsed since they
received commission from the people
to represent them. Since then events
of great importance have transpired,
which were not and could not have
been foreseen at the time of their elec-
ton. These events have effected q CON-
plete change, a change so momentous
as to be beyond human foresight or
calculation. 1t would be violence to all
canons of representative government,
as we'll as to common sense, that,
when elected, the people gave their
| representatives in Parliament plenary
powers to speak for them on matters
which had not been discussed, on
which pledges were not asked nor CIV
en-, and which we're vital to the very
existence of Ireland as a people and a
nation.
1t would be even greater violence to
what the Irish have held sacred, to
which they have given wholehearted
allegiance through centuries of perse-
cution and prescription, and for which
they have given their lives on field
and scaffold, to claim that they con-
scented to or authorized a complete
surrender for the promise of a mess Of
pottage.
1t is incredible, and made all the
more so, because Of the miserable pre-.
tence Of justification, that an adequate
consideration was proffered when the
Home Rule bill was placed on the
statute book. Many other bills affect
ing ireland have been placed on Eng
lands statute book: the numerous acts
of confiscation and Punishment, the re-
currence Of penal laws, the infamous
act of union, the frequent suspensions
of Habeas Corpus and proclamations
Of Martial Law, the treason felony
acts, and now The Defence Of the
Realm Act. The difference between
these various acts and the tentative de-
ceptive act of Home Rule, is, that they
were put in force Immediately, while
the Home Rule bill is dangled like q