The Pensacola journal., 1922-12-24
Path OF Irish Freedom Is
Paved With Tragedy, Goal
About Reached Says George


he would sign. In his abrupt STAG
cato manner he replied: ;Speaking on
my own behalf 1 mean to sign"
BY his side sat handsome young
Irlshman. No one could mistake his
nationality. He was Irish through
and through, in every respect con-
trast to his taciturn neighbor. Viva
cious, bouyant, highly strung, gay,
impulsiTe. but passing readily from
gaiety to grimness and back to gai-
ETY.. full of fascination and charm
but also dangerous fire. That was
Michael Collins, one of the most
courageous leaders ever produced by
valiant race. Nevertheless he 1isi-
tated painfully when the quiet little
figure on his left had taken his re-
solve. Both saw the shadow of doom
clOuding over that fateful paper
their own doom. They knew that the
pen which affixed their signature at
the same time signed their death war
rant. The little man saw beyond his
own fail Ireland rising out of her
troubles a free nation and that suf-
ficed for him.
Collins Not Afraid.
Michael Collins was not appalled, by
the spectre of death, but he had the
Irishman's fear of encourtering that
charge which comes so readily to the
lips of the oppressed-tha of having
succumbed to alien vile and betray-
ed their country.
Patriots who cheerfully face the
tyrants steel lose their nerve before
that dread accusation. 1t was the
{
ed fear. 1t was also the last time.
l knew the reason why he halted, al
though he never uttered word which
revealed his mind. and / addressed
my appeal to an effort to demonstrate
how the treaty gave Ireland more
than Daniel O'ConnelI and Parnen had
ever hoped for and that his country
men would, be ever era tefua to him uos
only for the courage which won such
an offer. but for the wisdom which
accepted it.
He asked for few hours to con-
slider, promising a reply by nine
O'Clock. Nine passed but the Irish
leaders did not return. Ten. Eleven
and they were not back. We had
doubts as to whether we should see
them again. Then came message
from the secretary of the Irish dele
cation that they were on their way
to Downing Street.. When they
marched in it was clear from their
faces that they had come to a great
decision after Il prolonged struggle.
Other Difficulties.
But there were skill difficulties to
were however Difficult
ties not Of principle but of detail.
These were discussed in a business
aFf o.
the morning the treaty was completed.
a friendly chat full OF cheerful
goodwill occupied the time while ste
n0grapherS engaged in copying a
draft so disfigured with corrections,
interpretations and additions, each OF
which represented so many hours OF
hammering discussion.
Outside in the lobby sat the man
who had used all the resources OF an
ingenious and we'll trained mind
backed by q tenacious will, 10 wreck
cndeavor to reach an agreement
Mr.. Erskiae ChilderS. \ man whose
slight figure, whose kindly, refined
and intellectual cOuntenance, whose
kindly, refined and intellectual count
enance. whose calm and courteous de-
meanor offered no clue to the fierce
passions which ragged inside MS
breast At every crucial point III
the negotiations he played a sinister
part.
He was clearly Mr.. de Valera
cmssary and faithfully did he 1u4-
fill the trust reposed in him by that
visionary. Every draft that emanaI
cd from his pen-and all the llISI
drafts were written by him-chailchs
cd every fundamental position 20
which the British delegates We're
rcvocably committed. He We" one
of those men who by tcmpefd''e'I d
incapable Of compromise. braNo 'ii0
resolute he undoubtedly was pUI - ~
happily for himself he Was "lSo i'9'0
and fanatiSal.
chhders Was SuI'en.
Whom we talked out Of the room
where we had sat for hours logetheL
worn with tense and anxious laoouI
but all happy that our great ldSH
of reconciliation had been achlc!eu'
we met Mr.. Erskine ChilderS oo'Siuc'
su!lcn with disappointment allo CoHi nl,
pressed wrath at what he coiioetEo 81
to be the surrender of the plti!C'p i,i,,, pir
he had fought for. l never sS'" 4111HI1
after that morning. .. (,riffi,,
Michael Collins and Arthur NrIlllI
/ met repeatedly after INC ,,,. 80 ah-
of the treaty, TO discuss llS h'''llS -
stacles that surged up III the Wy Wy,
its execution, and acquired Tor po.i d
rraat affection. Poor CollihS N's
Sbo+ IN, one Of his Countrylneh on
bleak Irish roadside whist ne va +,.,. I,e
s.ared rsG in restoring to the country ne
ioyed So we'll the order and gooa go
ernment which alone enables haI'0'i'
to enjoy the blessings oil lLeeu0''''
- '"'0 paved with Tragedy -.
Arthur Griffith died worn o"' y"
anSiety and toll in the cause which tea
he had done so much to carry 10 IN lL,e
a,'r11,it lIe 1,,' # victory. Ersktne Chlio-
ars vas shot down for rebelllon
asatnst liberties lie had hetpe3 ~
..;T Trm1r the path Of Irish Tree.
SaTn right up to the goal IS p@'eo
" Pm Bnt the glood stained wilderness -
49, tEr.,ugh: the vrrdan> plains OF
freedom, are stretched before the tSvS 11
- ,LJs tortured nation. Ireland VIII
-, - tonour the name Of Green Isle
srd am proud to have had hand IN
erectfnc the pillar which will forever
MARI the boundary between the
soualor of the past and the hope cf