The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Tuesday, October 4, 1887. CO-ERCION IN IRELAND.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 49, 4 October 1887, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, October 4, 1887. CO-ERCION IN IRELAND.

Be just and fear not; Let ail the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s Thy God’s, and truth’s. * 1

The working of the Co-ercion Act in Ireland is quickly developing those results which were predicted for it. The terrible affair at Mitchelstown is proof of what may be expected if the British Government persist in suppressing the liberty of the people. No one can attempt to justify the behaviour of the Irish in the recent affray, and still less the brutal conduct of the police, but the Irish are an impulsive people, and when the less controllable spirits become united in a mass and are goaded into fury, no one can restrain them—they will grasp at the shadow and risk losing the substance. We have consistently supported the claims of;[the Irish to have control of their own affairs—to us who have accustomed ourselves to the free colonial constitution the action of the Imperial Gov«rnmentJseßm»l, quite unintelligible. If the Irish would only take Mr John Morley’s advice, and bear their trials patiently for a time, their object would much sooner be gained. We join in denouncing the riotous behavior of the League followers, and the extreme measures being resorted to by that body, but because the more radical Irishmen have been taught to brood over a 700 years’ tyranny and that it is their duty to have revenge—because they now see the gleams of freedom shining forth in the distance and vainly try t > clutch the stream of light—because the rabid element wreck not of the result of their actions, is the great bulk of the Irish people to be deprived of that political freedom which the Imperial Government dare not refuse the colonies ?

The principle of Home Rule will hold good in spite of all the arguments used against it—affirm the principle and the adjustment of details will follow in their natural course.

It is urged that if England were at war and Ireland had been granted political freedom, the latter would be a thorn in England’s side. What would be the result if England were involved in a war now with Ireland in her present state ? Then again, it is argued that the giving of self-government to Ireland would mean the massacre of the Ulster loyallists, but the Home Rule party will allow’ special provision to be made for Ulster, if it is wished for.

Twenty-one years ago Mr Bright said that Ireland would never get justice until there was a Parliament on College Green, yet now he is opposed to that justice being granted, The most active opponents to the measure are secedere from the Liberal party, who of coarse are anxious to justify the cause of their secession, but time will work its own effect.

The Home Rule party is compactly united and supported by an earnest body of English Liberals, and the sympathy of a large section of the English people is being turned in their favor. The late bye elections in England have also resulted in the return of supporters of Mr Gladstone. But there are dark days yet for Ireland before the trouble will be ended, and repetitions of the sad affair at Mitchelstown may not come as a surprise to us. These outrages only mean delay of the recognition of the principle, but the only equitable solution of the question will eventually be made, and that means Home Rule for Ireland,