The Irish standard., 1918-04-20
UNITY OF ACTION
IN IRELAND
CONTINUED from Page o.

Continued from Page o.
condition of my suggested agreement
must be that the Party retire and
leave the field open to Sim Fein-or,
better still, come over in body to the
Sim Fein camp.
Last Appeal to England.
Again. ask, cannot both parties
unite on CD and (2), and is the Party
patriotic enough to agree. to 60 if
England fails to respond to this last
appeal from the Irish Parliamentary
Party? l hope so; and l hope that
Dillon and De Valera will within a
week meet and will mutually bind
their followers to some such course of
action as l have outlined. 1t is the
last appeal to England. and if she
proves deaf, then appeal to the Peace
Conference, and who can doubt but
that Wilson and Others will see
that the demand of united Nationalist
Ireland will be received, and favor
ably received, by the Powers of the
world, when they meet to grant "self-
determination to the small nations
ERE.
). Mr.. D. Dee, Ballyduff, Lixnaw, sug-
gests that the Lord Mayor of Dublin
with the cooperation of Cardinal
Logue, the Archbishops, Bishops and
priests, should take in hand the re-
union of the divided National parties.
Sir: May l voice the heartfelt de-
sire of l believe every true 1rishman
for an end to this dissension and
strife that are so hurtful to the cause
we all hold so dear? The demand is
all the more imperative because the
times are so critical, and the posi-
bility of union is the more hopeful be-
cause in reality there is so little that
divides.
start with the assumption that an
Irish Republic is not within the sphere
of practical politics. That could only
be obtained over the ashes of Great
Britain. Therefore, from that point
of view, the only division is the form
of self-government that will satisfy
us On that, believe, agreement can
easily be obtained. The other dividing
line is the question of method and
means to be employed. Surely, here,
interchange of ideas amongst the lead
ers and combined thought can effect a
thorough working policy. The mis-
takes of the past will be guide to fu-
ture action.
A New Start.
The great evil, to my mind, is that
the contending parties hold up for
ridicule the mistakes and wrongs of
each other, without seeing, or pre-:
tending to see, the good or the hon
esty each undoubtedly has. assume
here again that both contending par
ties are magnanimous enough to lay
aside all personal prejudice.
That the Irish Party has made mis-
takes is perfectly clear. That like.
wise the Sim Fein has erred is equal.
ly evident. Now, the suggestion
have to offer is-to let the dead past
bury it's dead, and make new start
on lines that will avoid the pitfalls OF
the past, and so voice an absolutely
united Ireland.
Looking forward, as things are at
present, one can only foresee disaster
I doubt if even the most optimistic
Sim Feiners could hope for com
plete overthrow of the Irish Party at
the next election. If not disunion
holds sway, and how can the voice OF
Nationalist Ireland be strong at the
Peace Conference when it does not
speak for all, and when Ulster and
Unionist ireland will be united against
it? What possible conclusion could
y the Peace Conference come to but say
. Ireland does not know what it wants
Suggestion to Leaders.
The Convention, too, will soon END
it's labors. Surely, then, it is impera
tive that Nationalist Ireland should be
united so as to act in whatever emer
gency arises with one mind and one
force. Unless some steps are taken
and taken at once-we shall find our
selves in an extremely difficult ant
dangerous position. We may tall
about the broken promises of British
statesmen; we may proclaim thu
rights of small nations, but surely WI
must put the blame on our own small
nation If our minds are not at one OF
our needs, viewed in the light of prac
tical politics.
Our past history is clear on the dis
aster brought about by our discord'
and strife Let us take the lesson tt
heart and so insist upon, once and for
ever closing up our ranks.
have purposely avoided introduc
ing names, as deprecate all person
atty, but 1 conclude with the sugges
ton that the various leaders get a
once into communication with eacl
other, by meeting or otherwise, will
the sole determination to end strife
Success must crown their efforts.
A PEACEMAKER.
BEST AND WORST THINGS IN THE
WORLD TONGUES.
Sak. o& oesa1