The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-03-29
IRELAND'S CLAIM FOR LIBERTY

ing to her assistance was sweet music
to her ear, inspiring her with courage
to persevere. Proud OF her record,
brave Belgium stands before the con-
ference of the victorious nations and
asks indemnity for the loss she suf-
fered, and the reconstruction of her
country. Can anyone who remembers
of liberty doubt the justice of her
claim? Certainly not. Without a
dissenting voice the conference grants
all she asks. To this same judicial
body upon which the fortune of war
has conferred the power Of the con-
querOr, the right to settle between
nations disputed questions, Ireland
presents her case; SO does Poland; so
does Serbia; but why enumerate them
all? Every oppressed nation that
hungers and thirsts for justice has
come to the Peace Table to be fed.
Why? Because at the very outset this
conference publicly proclaimed Fair
Play as. it's guiding principle, made
Justice to All, and Favor to None"
its watch-word. From this body Ire.
land expects recognition, because the
world expects the conference to full
fill it's promise.
What does Ireland ask, and what
are the merits of her claim? Ireland
asks the right of self-determination,
the privilege to set up in her own land
for her own people the government of
their choice. From the Peace Confer
political wrongs of centuries, by des-
ignating the nations entitled to free
dom, Ireland asks place among the
nations that We're, and the nations
that are to be. In justification of the
claim for redress of her wrongs, and
her devastated land, her ruined
churches, the broken arches of her
moSscOvered mOnasteries, the sad
remnants Of her crumbling castles,
mute but convincing proof of what she
suffered from a system of persecution
duration. Nor for four years nor a
hundred-fold four, but for more than
seven centuries Ireland has borne the
tyrant's CALLING yoke Epitaphs, CHS
eled on the shafts which mark the
graves of patriots who died for their
country tell the price Ireland paid to
keep floating freedoms flag. Today
Liberty is in the air. AS never before
its pulsing is felt from equator to
pole, invigOrating the minds of men,
and giving them keener sense of
fair play, which is Justice to All and
Favor to None" To this principle
the Peace Conference committed itself
by public proclamation. Nothing less
than freedom from England can salts
fy Ireland. With no less reason than
Poland asks relief from German tyr
amy, Ireland asks release from Eng
fish domination. Unless the Peace
Conference grants Liberty to the op-
pressed of every land, without distinc-
ticn, it has failed in its purpose, and
is false to it's promise. Unless Ire.
land is made safe for Democracy
lrishmen will make it unsafe for
lly pOCl 10y. NOW Is Iilo dcC6IldDIC
time; already the axe is laid at the
root of every political system of OPP
preston. Disregard of Ireland s
rights will raise a storm of righteous
Indignation in the breasts of all who
know the story of her wrongs, which
will shake to its foundation the tyr
ants throne. The hour is come, when
kings must learn, though late, the les
son that just governments derive their
power from the consent of the govern
ed. No longer the slogan, The Di-
vine Right of Kings" blasphemously
interpreted to mean a justification OF
oppression, can be invoked in support
Of a tottering throne. Experience
teaches that no throne can stand, no
government can long endure except
supported by the will of the people
This is the modern and correct inter-
probation of Divine Right" the soul
stirring principle of worldwide de-
mocracy.