Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1919-02-20
RELAND'S C'l!<'
So
ID KS -
Mrs. Hugh Kelley &. Paper Be-
fore Fortnightly Literary Club
on Question

Mrs. Hugh Kelley presented 'fThe
Case of Ireland" before the members
of the Fortnightly Literary club at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Kings
ford on Friday evening. At the outset
Mrs. Kelley said she did not propose
to plead for any particular form OF
government for Ireland, but to give
some of the past tribulations through
which the people of the island had
passed. -
Mrs. Kelley first told Of the life of
John Redmond, a paper for Mrs. T..
M Adams, and how the leader had
died, also his two sons in the great
war. After this Introductory the
speaker said the Irish question was
not a religious question. She showed
how both Protestants and Catholics
had been working for the new form
of government and gave long list of
familiar names who have been before
the public for many years. She be-
1ieyed that if the people of this coun-
try had a right to assert themselves
for conscience sake that the people
of Ireland had the same right.
The speaker went into history and
told of the depression, that had how
cred over the island for many cen
turies. The massacres OF the time of
Cromwell were related, the penal laws
were discussed, and the injustices OF
the absentee landlords were told.
Mrs. Kelley asserted the exorbitant
taxes were collected by high salaried
officials, keeping the people poor.
The Sein Fein movement was ex-
plained and the efforts for home rule
were related. The speaker was at a
loss to know why home rule had not
been given the island after it had
been voted by the government of
Great Britain.
The Other SIDE
A. S. Kingsford. q close student OF
history ard ar able speaker, present
ed tbeeether- side, lie ecompiimented
Mrs. Kelley on her presentation, but
said that only one-half had been told.
He explained how Cromwell was
looked upon by the world as a leader
of freedom ct should be explained
here that the army of Cromwell in
vaded Ireland because of the massacre
of Protestants. The rebellion was put
DOWN.
Mr.. KingsfOrd showed how all ma
tions had erred but strongly held that
England in the last century had given
her people greater freedom than en-
h1y
America The penal laws applied not
only to ireland but to all of Great
Britain. The speaker said that Eng
land in the cad bought the land in Ire
Hand of the English landlords and
gave it to the people. He said if big
salaries were paid to collect the
taxes it was worth it. Uaughtero
Now instead of collecting taxes in
Ireland. Great Britain has been giving
$S5. 900 900 out of the public money to
improve Ireland
He held the people could not agree,
as shown by the recent convention.
To have given home rule just as the
war started would have meant civil
war in Ireland because the Obstetrics
WOulu HOI nave 0uAuDlCCCo W win .
governed by the rest of the island.
r. B. Griggs explained that it was
for Ireland to raise 100000 troops.
About 100000 rallied to the colors, OF
which 10000 were from Ulster.
Mr. Griggs also showed the repre-
sentation of Ireland in the British
parliment was far greater according
TO population that the rest OF
possessions.
1t developed in the discussion that
Ireland and the Quebec section of
Canada were the two spots in the
British empire that were weak when
it came to standing by the govern
ment.
M. c.. Crandall told Of the new plan
for home rule in Ireland. Others also
ioined in the discussion.
The railroad question will be the
topic at the next meeting. at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. II. E. Cole.