The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-12-15


the attitude of Quebec and Ireland.
II this explanation was well founded
we might as we'll begin to prepare for
whatever regime is going to succeed
the British empire, for the Catholic
soldiers fighting for the cause Of the
Allies at the front far outnumber the
Protestant soldiers. Today the 10y
atty Of the Catholic soldier and of
Catholic populations is absolutely es-'
sential to the continued existence of
the British empire, and people are so
confident that this loyalty can be de-
pended on that they play with side
issues which seem specifically to in
dictate that there is q difference be-
tween Catholics and Professionals in
the war. There is no difference. We
are all involved in the same ISSUE"
Speaks for Catholic Church.
What about the anti-war elements
in Quebec and Ireland?" asked the re-
porter.
Quebec and Ireland are a very
small part of the Catholic church."
replied His Grace. II am not author
lied to speak for either; but can
speak for the Catholic church in this
matter. do not need to guess or in
fer-1 know that the Rev. E. I. Hart
is wrong, and mischievously wrong.
The raising Of false issues at this
time is dangerous.
IF an Englishman came to Toronto
now to upbraid US for spending so
much money on motor cars and other
luxuries, we might resent his inter-
ference, but we should have to con.
fess among ourselves that we de-
served the reproach. But If he went
on to inveigh against the clergy Of
the city as lacking patriotism and op-
posed to the cause of the Allies on
the ground that they encouraged the
useless expenditure of money needed
for that cause, 1 think he would then
be engaged in mischievous cam
paign.
Thirty years ago we all held in
Canada the opinion which still pre-
walls in parts of Quebec. We looked
upon ourselves as British colonists
depending upon England for defense
against any public enemy. Sir Charles
Upper often argued that Canada con-
tributed to the defense Of the empire
by production and facilities of COM
munication, and should not be asked
to do more. No one ever thought of
accusing him Of disloyalty on that
account. It is worse than unfair to
impeach as disloyal those Canadians
who still think as Upper did. The
sentiment of Canadian nationality
has grown lusty since his day. It is
unreasonable to expect it to grow
with equal increase in all parts of the
Dominion. The real test of loyalty
is obedience to the law. No part of
Canada has yet failed in this test.
Not until there is disobedience to the
law will it be time to speak of dis
loyalty.
Canadians who are not British by
race are loyal to the empire more by
seasoned submission than by senti-
ment. They perform their legal du-
ties. They share the financial bur-
dens of the state without complaint.
Many of them are even enthusiastic
in their support of British institutions.
But the ties Of blood are not the same
in their case as in ours. Quebec diff
fers from Ontario both in race and
religion. The mistake of the Rev. e.
1. Hart is that of attributing to re.
ligion certain phenomena which be-
long properly to race.
The Irish Trouble.
ireland is q different case. The
summary given by Lionel Curtis in
his project of q commonwealth will
do as we'll as another to suggest the
explanation. Referring to the eigh-
teenth century, he says:
GAS q series Of laws was passed
depriving Catholics (of 1reland) Of
the right to vote and excluding them
from the (city) corporations, from the