Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-10
THE WORLD AND IRELAND

AN OBSERVANT and sympathetic
n world, listening TO the debate Mt Dub
lin, desires most of all to see Ireland at
peace with herself and with tho English.
The struggle and the strife, the conflicts Of
spirit and purpose and aim and the tides Of
misfortune that have swept over the green
est of isles for centuries without Interrupt
tion would have utterly exhausted a less
vri!e country. Ireland needs time for rest
and recuperation and tranquil reflection and
effort. And, like virtually every other
country under the sun, il, needs to cultivate
an ability to forget much.
The past of almost every civilized State
is sad enough. The history of the white
mans civilization is strange record Of
impulses magnificent and base, of santli-
ness and deviltry. of vision and violence. II
the Irish people continue to stare intently
into the past they will find much to grieve
and embitter them. So, for that matter,
would the people of any other land.
The world has come to see that it is only
the future that matters and that the less
VIC think and talk of what is done the sooner
we shall find peace. 1t is for that reason
that the treaty for the establishment Of an
Irish Free State must seem satisfactory to
any reasonable Irishman and to all the in
Vulnerable friends OF Ireland. The Irish
and the English need each others friend
ship more than they need any other thing
in the world. In no other way can they be
prosperous or be safe.
The refusal of the Dali EireHnn TO admit
the validity of Mr.. dc Nnlcra's claims by
re cleCting him as President of an Irish Re-
public shows clearly that even the fighting
Nationalsts at Dublin see the folly of a
policy that would permit ghosts Of the dead
to 90 md fnrnrnr hatNp fNun
whose chief desire Is a better, richer and
happier way of life.
Generations ago Irelands right to n new
deal in government was recognized by all
fair minded people. But, even though JUS
tico was delayed, there can he no good in
any effort to hold the present generation OF
English statesmen and English people re-
sponsible for the sins of the Tories who pre-
ccdcd them. If they will remember i'll Dub
lin that the English reactionary of the old
school did nothing in Ireland that he didn't
do TO the dcfenselcss poor of his own coun-
try reconciliation of Ireland with the newer
England will be easier.
Like many other peoples-like the French,
for example, and the Italians, and even the
Americans-the Irish have been handicapped
by legendary and romantic conceptions of
their character encouraged among other
peoples. Even now IL Is luSulOuuDle "
think of the Irish as whimsical and head
long folk. and great dreamers fonder of
fighting than Of the fruits OF victory.
Such conceptions are possible only among
those who know little Of the actualities of
Irish life and history.
The traditional economic policies visited
on Ireland by the past generations of alb
sentee rulers almost depopulated the island
md drove out of the British Commonwealth
the most spirited part of spirited race.
In later decades these policies have been
corrected. but even in this country the i'm
preston still prevails that the Irish revo-
luton expressed little more than the Irish
mans love Of u fight.
The revolution was, In fact, expressive
Of Ircland's desire for justice. for digni-
fed national existence and for an oppor-
tunity 10 express through an independent
Government the ancient Irish reverence for
culture enlightenment and strength. The
Irish are imaginative and they are gener-
GUS. II these two traits of their character
can be brought to aid them now they will
look forward and not back, and the Irish
Free State should be Il vehicle through
which the race can give to its native soil
much Of the riches of its spirit which for
centuries have been scattered in the service
Of others almost everywhere under the sky
The new ship Of state goes forth proudly
enough from Dublin. The world, watching
onxiously, will wish only the friendliest of
winds for her sails.
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