The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1885. PREPARING FOR WAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1335, 2 May 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1885. PREPARING FOR WAR.

At a concert held last Tuesday evening at Pleasant Point, the Key, T. JasperSmythe in the course of a few remarks happened to say that “ every Englishman in the colony may be called upon to repel the Russians from their shores,” but was interrupted by a voice crying out “ What about the Irish ?” The rev. gentleman was equal to the occasion. He is a hearty, whole-souled, thorough Irishman himself; he lias been brought up in the County of Cork, where religious intolerance is unknown, and where Protestants and Catholics live on terms of the closest friendship, and is, therefore, in a position to interpret accurately the feelings and aspirations of Irishmen. The sneer at the loyalty of Irishmen he repelled with characteristic energy. He told his interrogator, amidst tremendous cheering, that “ the loyal Irish of the colony will be true to their watchward, If the Russians come here they will say to them, as they have ever done to England’s enemies, ‘Faugh-a-beallaugh,’ —that is, ‘ Clear the way.’ ” Irishmen will feel thankful to the rev. gentleman for having so accurately interpreted their feelings, for Irishmen are loyal in this colony because they enjoy the blessings of just and equitable laws. They are already giving evidence of the intensity of their loyalty. They are holding enthusiastic meetings throughout the colony, and enrolling themselves as Volunteers, so as to be ready for any emergency which may arise. The organ of Irishmen—the New Zealand Tablet—has a stirring article on this subject. It says ; “The Empire which shields and protects us all is insulted by a wanton aggressor, herself the enslaver of nationalities and the persecutor, the bitter persecutor, of one of the oldest and most Catholic nations of Europe ; the most vital interests of the flag that waves over us are at stake, and it consequently behoves all to rally round that flag, and by a united effort uphold it till the triumph of justice be secured. In this crisis there is one regret which we feel very keenly. Amongst certain Irishmen there is a leaven of disaffection, not, wa admit, without cause, but at this moment, and in view of the really honest endeavours made by the present English i Government to redress grievances, this should be at least in abeyance. It is also to be regretted that coercion is still in existence in Ireland, and that an appeal is not made to the generosity of the people and to their loyalty, rather than to their fears. Again the colonies are at this moment teaching a valuable lesson to all who would seek to govern by terror and injustice rather than even-handed justice. In the English Colonial Empire loyalty and devotion to the Queen and her Government prevail universally, and why 1 Simply because tha colonies have been granted the right of self-govern-ment. But Ireland is discontented because she is denied this right which all colonies enjoy. Let Ireland like the colonies have self-govern-ment, let her be governed by Irishmen for Ireland instead of by Englishmen for England, as the colonies are governed by colonists for colonists, and every note of discord throughout the wide dominions of Grrat Britain will cease. Then, indeed, England might defy the world in arms. It is conceded on all hands that there are no better soldiers in the world than Irishmen, none more enthusiastic, dashing and enduring; well, then, let Ireland be conciliated by an act for which she yearns and for which she will ever seek, and it may be confidently hoped that before long one hundred thousand men, the flower of the nation, would flock to enrol themselves under the standard of their illustrious countryman, Lord Wolseley. We confidently maintain that nothing is required but a simple act of justice, the repeal of the fraudulent and insulting and moat injurious Act of Union, to make all Irish men the most devoted and enthusiastically loyal subjects of Her Gracious Majesty. But what enthusiasm or loyalty can be expected from a nation systematically denied its first and most necessary right, the right to manage its own affairs 1”

In tbis article a clear index of the disposition of Irishmen is given. They are determined that, while they may have their growl at England themselves, no past differences, no recollections of by gone wrongs, no present cause of irritation shall weigh with them when the integrity of the Empire is menaced. And these men who are now holding meetings to enrol themselves in the

Volunteers for the purpose of being prepared to fight it need he are the very same men who a few months ago were classed as Fenians, lynamitards and rebels because they thought fit to contribute money towards a fund for carrying on agitation to obtain for their own country just laws. They were rebels because they loved their country ; they are loyal when their loyalty is necessary. Is it not time that Englishmen tried to understand Irishmen ? As foes, they ought to know they are dangerous ; as allies, they know none more trusty could be found, On the field of Fontenoy England had conquered France until the Irish Brigade arrived, and turned the tide so effectually that the English were ignorainiously defeated, and the English King exclaimed “ Cursed be the laws that deprived me of such subjects !” Equally memorable are the words of Wellington on the field of Waterloo when he said *’ Up boys, and at them,” and the enemy fled before the withering onslaught of the Irish regiment. At Tamanieb, the other day, the British army was routed, and the flag of England was about to lie seized by the enemy, when the. Irish Fusiliers rushed up and turned defeat to victory. On many another battlefield the Irish have saved the British flag from dishonor, and if it comes to war now we have no hesitation in saying their record will be as glorious as in the past. They will be found in the front ranks fighting when some of those who accuse them of disloyalty will be skulking behind whatever shelter they can find.

MAP OF THE SE IT OF WAR. We present our readers this morning with a map of Aghaoistan, the scene of the present dispute. As it is now beyond a question of reasonable doubt that war will be declared, we advise our readers to preserve this map, and, if they do so, they will find it very useful in enabling them to follow the news as it comes. The latest news is that Russia refuses to agree to the boundaries suggested by England, and insists upon its own suggestions being adopted. Of course, England cannot put up with this ; she has done all she can to preserve peace, but apparently the Russians do not want peace, and consequently are forcing on the quarrel. The British fleet has left under sealed orders, and probably we shall next learn that open hostilities have commenced, England in this war has justice on her side, and, though she has a powerful enemy to contend against, we feel no fear as to what the result will be.