Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-12
WHAT REDMOND
DID FOR IRELAND
The Dead Statesman Deserves the
Gratitude of His Countrymen
for His Loyal Service

To ne Editor Of the EDeHrlg Public Lecturer
Sir--When Ireland recovers her normal
self she will deal kindly with the memory
of John T. Redmond She will forget the
politician and recall tho man. She will recol-
lect the untcnable position in which the
great leader was placed and learn to regard
MS mistakes as the ordinary accompaniment
OF greatness. Nay, she will know that his
shortcomingss really emphasize his worth
Had he his own private interests at stake
he could have followed the line of least resist-
ance. As AN 1rshman he knew the most
direct road TO Irish hearts as a patriot he
thought he perceived the shortest way to
lrelands freedom, He followed the latter
and preferred to be known TO posterity as a
man OF principle. even at the expense of
Icing misunderstood.
Many-even his best friends-tbinll that
he sinned grievously of late against Ireland
IL his war policy was mistake il was
nevertheless, logical blunder AS soon as
the home rule bill was placed on the statutes
ireland ceased TO be n part of the British
Kingdom and became, in theory at least a
part OF the empire. Just as the leaders of
aHairS III Canada, Australia and South Africa
wrought their utmost to extend the man
power of the British army. John T. Redmond
felt himself bound to array the manbood Of
ireland against the tyranny of German milf
tarism. The sequel OF events proves that he
conided we'll, but not wisely. He fulfilled his
side OF an unfortunate bargain. The home
RUE statute became an inoperatIye law
Were the Nationalist leader to abstain fror,
furthering English war aims in Ireland, the
omission would have afforded specious cant
tai to the Carsonite irreconcilables ON the
other hand, the Irish people had not the
substantial reason of the British colonies for
throwing themselves enthusiastically into The
war The power of the Irish leader tottered
between conflicting issues.
The passing Of the great chieftain leayes
US in the contemplation of what might have
lTlQa a1A
been compelled TO recognize the rigbt 10
majority rule: If the gun-rinning at Larne
had been Tepresaed with the same aI,crit,.
as the Sim Fein rising in Dublin; if an
Austrian heir to the throne had selected oon,o
other day for travelling than the day on which
he was assassinated; even if the English
Government had employed as much Iogic
about the execution OF the Dublin rebeIs
as II used In connection with the exc
cutton OF Edith Cavell, John T. Rednond,s
place in Irish hearts and memories would ho
eyerastingly secured. But fate dealt barshI,
with him. SO at the door of fate must he la "a
the blame for lreland's tragic restIessness
The Irish people are impulsive INT nnt
ungrateful. The dead leaders latest doads
are their only impressions now. When bow.
ever the dawn Of brighter days shall breol
over the distracted little isle the countless
successtui things which he accomplished for
ireland during his eventful career will rein
state him in the affections Of the peonIe for
whom he struggled and probably died Tbs
thousands OF tenant-farmers who found CO
curity for their holdings in that unhann,
country the old folk who were snatcbaI
from hunger and want: the younger pensra-
tion for whom the benefits of education ware
made practicable and attainable; the IN rm-
hands for whose comfort was created ,ho
system of laborers' cottages; the one.,ir,s
oppressed-all will eventually identify tbair
bettered conditions with the life-work Of John
II. Redmond. W ''"ii
History Is ever repeating and readiistirs
itself. The closing days of the successi,e
Irish constitutional agitators became trssio
and heartrending in the extreme Each 81
the eve OF great political triumphs. was dis'
credited and cast out. As with Danis,
OConnell, the lifelong unfagging activitiss
or John Il. Redmond paled before the meteorio
achievements OF younger patriots Like The
stars that grow bright in the darkness ~
night. the doings OF the Young Irelandars
and Sim Feiners appeared brilliant An ths
gloom which followed in the wake OF reyo,,,e
tlon. But when the storms of passion cleo .
away. the more lasting good resulting from
milder methods appears--alas. too Iatei IN Is
left to future generations to gauge the strue.
giles OF great men at their true value
Maybe the present generations in Irelano
viii think kindly Of their dead leader. NAV
be his timely end has saved him from fhs
oblivion that was the sad lot Of his prsdscss-
sore. ftrheps deaths chssteninr fniIuorr.