The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-03-07
REDMOND'S DEATH
ALMOST DISASTER
TO IRISH CAUSE
NOTED LEADER EXERCISED
GREAT INFLUENCE FOR
MODERATION.
TRIBUTE FROM CARSON
Most Bitter Opponent Declares
They Were Not Very Far Apart
in Settlement of Home Rule in
Convention.

London, March I'm paying
tribute to the memory OF John Red
mond, in the house of commons, Sir
Edward Carson, the Ulster leader
said
Indeed, we were not very far
apart i'll our attempts at settle
ment of the Irish question"
London, March 6 "wednesday.
The death of John Redmond at
the moment when the convention
which is to settle the future of Ire
land is having its most momentous
sessions is considered in political
circles to be almost a disaster.
During the weeks which the Irish
convention has been busy trying to
find a solution to the Irish problem
to which he gave his life, Mr. Red
mond exercised a great moderating
influence and, if, as dispatches
from Dublin say, there is again a
prospect of agreement he must be
given a great measure of credit for
this state Of affairs.
Wanted Peaceful Settlement.
In fact, since he took over the
leadership of the Irish nationalists
on the retirement of Parnell, Mr.
Redmond has been among those
Irishmen who fought for a settle
ment Of the home rule question by
parliamentary means, and when the
act granting self-government finally
became a law in 1914 it was a great
triumph for him, and recognition
throughout the world, as was shown
by the thousands OF congratulatory
kilograms he received.
The war prevented the act from
being put into force, and while this
was a great disappointment to Mr..
Redmond, he, nevertheless, stood by
the English government, or, as he
would have preferred to say, "the
English democracy" in which he
had great confidence, and which he
always said would see that Ireland
received justice.
His speech in the house of COM
mons supporting the government
decision TO enter the war because of
the invasion of Belgium by Ger
many, greatly enhanced his reputa-
ton in England where he had al
ways been popular and respected
and gained many converts for the
cause which he championed.
Declined Seat in Cabinet.
Mr.. Redmond declined seat in
the coalition cabinet of 1915, not
because he had become less ardent
supporter of the entente's war
aims, but because he feared that to
do so might injure Ireland and his
party,
Since then, his illness and family
bereavementS, which included the
death OF his brother William, at the
head OF his battalion in France, took
him out of the public eye except on
occasions when Irish questions re-
quired his attention.
However, Mr.. Redmond went tc
work harder than ever when the
Irish convention was created, ant
with the exception of the last few
meetings, he was a regular attend
ant at the sessions and took a lead
ing part in the deliberations despite
the great pain he was suffering from
the ailment which made necessary
the operation that ended in hi,
death.
In Parliament 81 Years.
Other events in Ireland, such a.
the excuses of the Sim Feiners
did not lessen the worries, and ex.
cept for Premier Lloyd George
there was no man in England who
had a mole difficult position to hold
But the Irish nationalist leader ha(
had the training which enabled hin
to succeed where others failed. II,
was the most experienced studen
Of parliamentary procedure and haC
set in the house continuously TO
81 years.
The Irish convention adjourned
for two hours today when it hearC
of Mr.. Redmond's death. Later, i
passed resolution Of sorrow
which said:
Throughout the proceedings o
the convention his wise counsel wa
an invaluable aid for our guidance
He regarded the work of the con
vention and its outcome as fraugh
with the most vital interests of tn,
Irish people and the whole empire.
CIITnnITTT