The Irish standard., 1918-06-15

| is that his vision is so blurred and
befogged by centuries of English mis-
rule in Ireland that he has persuaded
himself that the war in which Eng
land is engaged is not a war of right
|'against might, humanity against kul-
tur and civilization against frightful-
ness-in other words, not a war of
ideals in contrast and conflict-but
that it is war purely and simply for
the gloritication of England.
Ireland regards itself as nation
as a member, that is, of the common
'wealth-and it argues that it's allegi-
ance is due to the commonwealth and
not to the English people. Otherwise
the Irish would be subject to the Eng
lish. which they are not. They are
partners in the same commonwealth.
What they claim is that the call OF
conscription is call to the highest
form of citizenship service-a duty
which involves heroism. How can
you exact this duty of a citizen if you
deny him the rights of citizenship
namely, self-government?
Give us first of all, they say, the
rights of citizenship, before expecting
us to rise to the heroic duties involved
in conscription.
This is not an organized Catholic
opposition to CONSUMPTION, but a ma
tional one, including men of all colors
of politics and all shades of belief
AS regards bishops in politics, they
argue that it was bishops who won
Englands Magma Charta, and that to-
day bishops legislate and are repre-
sented as Church in the House Of
Lords.
No doubt the anti-conscription move
ment in Ireland has gained great i'm
petus from the action Of the episco-
pate. But yet no one can deny that If
the episcopate had held aloof from the
!anti-conscription movement we might
Demand Equal Rights.
Be sure that the bishops have no
intention of preventing any Of their
flock enlisting if he so chooses.
But their contention is that as the
British Government recognizes the
liberty of the South African, Canadian
,od Australian Hoxorn -, on+e - rIafina
their own position in the war, so they
demand the same liberty for Ireland.
DR.. Cults, non-Catholic writer, re-
minds us that the medieval church
was always the champion of the people
and that, in politics, the church al
ways was on the side Of the liberties
of the people.
We must not forget that Orange Ul-
ster stood armed to resist any home
rule bill which, against their liking,
might be passed by the British Par
lament.
grant you we seem to have come to
a cul-de-sac, and apparently there is
no way out of this maze of difficulties
that has risen up. Yet hope and pray
| that the day is not immeasurably dis
| tant when England and Ireland may
get together, as England and France,
who but yesterday were irreconcilable
foes.
Looks to Lloyd George.
| May it be given to our ingenious and
indefatigable prime minister to forge
the magic key to fit into the wards of
this lock which has so far defiantly
shut out home rule.
This consummation cannot, admit
be achieved until some measure salts
factory to Irish aspirations can be
devised
But for Gods sake let us be human
with an aching to show sympathy, and
not like ice blocks, fresh from cold
storage, to treat with perfervid pa.
triots.
Above all things it is the duty OF
every Englishman to make it clear as
MONDAY that this warfare in which
the allies are engaged is warfare to
bring about peace of God upon the
earth, so that the nations upon it may
live their own lives, develop their own
interests, and mutually understand one
another as brothers under the father
hood of God.