BY WHAT RIGHT?

New Zealand Tablet, 5 June 1919, Page 42

BY WHAT RIGHT?

In the light of the many utterances that one hears of England’s right to govern Ireland, there occurs the query : If a just cause for aggression, physical occupation, and an acquiescence of the inhabitants are necessary to establish any right to govern that might grow out of conquest, has England any right in the face of facts to exert such government ? There never was any just cause for aggression (comments the Boston Pilot). The history of the invasion of the twelfth century establishes the truth of this. For .centuries after the invasion there was no physical occupation of Ireland, and there was only partial occupation at any time. As to the acquiescence of the Irish people in the rule of the English, the cry of the Irish for the restoration of their stolen sovereignty has been incessant through seven and a-half centuries. Where, then, did England get her right over stricken Ireland ? Prescription has no value when it is made a title against the united protests of an entire people and in defiance iof an inherent right that the national consciousness of a whole people continuously claimed from the beginning of its nationhood. Did Britain, then, gain this right over Erin through treaty? This treaty was called in history a piece of, “base turpitude.” It was obtained through the worst corruption that has ever blemished English diplomacy. The treachery of the Union of 1800 was and is unique in the history of the world. Where, then, does England find a title for governing Ireland? She finds it in might. And we went to war with the avowed purpose of crushing might and emancipating small nations that were cursed with its unscrupulous exercise.