THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 183, 29 September 1876, Page 7

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT.

We are informed that the Home Eule Confederation of Great Britain intend to attempt a bold stroke of policy on the 21st of August. For the first time these 84 years Dublin is to witness a Convention of Irish Delegates duly accredited from the 114 branches of which the Home Eule Confederation is composed. Within the historic chambers of the Eotundo these Anglo-Irish delegates are to assemble, and there discuss the future policy which they shall elect to pursue. It is, we are informed, expected that upwards o£ 100 branches of the British Eule Confederation will be represented at this new gathering of the clans, and that some important pronunciamento is likely to be made. The framers of the Convention Act never contemplated, such a gathering as this, and its promoters say that the provisions of the Act of 1793 cannot affect them. They claim to be "British" and not Irish delegates, and thus evade the rigor of a law which up to the present has effectually precluded delegate meetings in this country. O'Connell found the Convention Act one of the greatest obstacles in his way. It invented him calling together the " Council of Three Hundred." It frequently barred the path to united action, and even at the present moment prevents the Irish people from acquiring that power which comes of collective force. The announcement of such a meeting is a significant one. It conjures up associations of the days of Napper Tandy, of Tone, and of Hamilton Eowan The last Convention held in Ireland was in the Tailors' Hall, where in 1792, two hundred Catholic delegates met, and petitioned the King to remove some of the disabilities under which they labored. Then it was rumored that another Volunteer Convention was to assemble at Athlone, and Lord Clare saw danger written on the walls. The Convention Act was hurried through the House of Commons, and from that day to this delegate meetiugs have been illegal in, Ireland. The eloquence of Grattan could not match the subtlety of Clare. AnAct passed in alarm has ever since remained the law of the land. There never has been such a law in England. It is an Act passed by the representatives of a few, and against the liberty of the many. It renders illegal in Ireland what is a part of the British Constitution, But the Home Eule Confederation is about to test the scope and power of its provisions. They are resolved to ascertain whether or not the Convention Act precludes British as well as Irish delegates assembling in Ireland. It is a bold stroke of political strategy, and is well calculated to bring the injustice of the Convention Act before the world. Even if the meeting is prohibited, the success will still rest with the Home Eule cause. Similar meetings are held amongst the Home Eulers in England every year, and among British political organisations more frequently still. If the Government is unwise enough to interfere with these British Home Eulers, it will demonstrate the exceptional system of legislation under which we in Ireland live as effectually as its most ardent enemies could desire. Bat we do not anticipate such a procedure. There is no reason why the Convention should not pass over with the same undisturbed order which has marked its meetings in Eng< land for the last four years. We believe, too, that the Council of the Home Eule League contemplate holding a public demonstration at the time of the Convention. On many accounts this novel assemblage will bo looked forward to with special interest, and may be anticipated to have a considerable political effect. — ' Dublin Freeman.'