The Irish standard., 1917-05-19

ohand. traditional accepted method of many English
of the past century, who lacking the capacity
to and courage to grappe with the merits of the question
have srievousy failed to arrive adequate solution
of it.
But this political quackery must now close in the in
teres OF Ireland and the world Her is on trial
before the tribunal of the nations and be dis
posed OF by dlatory motions tactics merits
of the complaint and in the light of justice truth and
common
1t the issue not complicated by other international
matters there would not even a scintia of doubt
regarding the American position after the facts the
situation were in evidence. There would hardly be
point to be discussed both parties the
justice and fairness and necessity of self for
the complainant But the British Defense there is
fractional part OF the Irish people that is opposed to
the plan of self-government proposed would be
dlfncult to enforce it, Therefore the must be
hed III indefinite allegiance. 1t is at this point little
examination and evidence the merits question
may be adduced for the benefit those who like our
helshDor the tribune have passed the matter with
out due consideration of this explanation" Ireland is
represented in the British parliament by 1903 members
whom approximately eighty cent want segovernment
and twenty cent favor the existing status Three
her four provinces composing Munster Leinster
naught, are almost sodly for home Only part of
ulster the northern province is opposed 1t is fire.
quenty stated that Ulster is sody against the rest of
the country this matter is grossly erroueous
for Ulster sends eight home rulers to parliament out of
her total OF seventeen members and Joseph Devn
looked upon to bear the brunt of future leadership of
the Irish parliamentary party, halls province
Let us look little further into the merits of the arg,
1nent advanced in behalf of the little group of Orange
men-not all Ulster by any means-who lacking in
genuine PATRIOTISM so thick Of ntegumen and lacking
in the modern spirit of democratic progressyeness that
tney would even sacrifice the safety of the British empire
rather than part with their avorite fetichhe assumed
domination of Roman Catholicism proposed Irish
government lm American experience has been shown
in the case of the Catholic colony Maryland that Roman
Wopo tho
claim the doctrine of religious toeraon that prin
clpe is just as much OF fundamental our i11stit,
tions the right life, liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness Cardinal Gibbons has the suggestion
that naturally first to the American miud-that
guarantees be given to the Obstetrics against the abrdg
ment of their religious liberties the new plan lust
as we have written it irrevocably into national and
state constitutions and have it's efficiency in the
experience of more than century. But this "wful'
group OF rreconcilables cannot-or rather will notsee
or understand this adjustment care
fully nursed fears, reminding some crppes who
perversey prefer their ailments rather than them
cured
Such then is the of the refractory buffers of
portion of Ulster Shall the progress of
democracy applied Ireland stayed indefinitely
OH such slight pretext? Must Erin play the tiresome
role of Nobe Of the nations until the these ir4e
concabes shall have been brought realizing sense
OF his stupidity and prejudice Since when did unanmty
become requisite for democratic government and adj
minstraon? Is it therefore fair ireland withhold
her rights conceded by the of the opinion
Of the civilized world because disafection of an
altogether too magnifed minority? If either should be
sacrificed, to homely example, shall not be the
tail rather than the dog?
We confidently look to American for the
answer. Let America be the Theseus that
the of Irish maiden from the NAV of the
British Minotalr.
We do not, of course offer discussion of these
questions as by fnality upon the issues
voved, but throwing light upon the situation,
and particularly in the interests of fairness
the progress Of the case.