THE GRANDEST JUBILEE OFFERING.

Evening Star, Issue 7187, 15 April 1887, Page 2

THE GRANDEST JUBILEE OFFERING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, : Innumerable suggestions ore being offered for the fitting celebration of the Queen's Jubilee year—some worthy of consideration, and tome merely the fruit of idle imagination. I have yet another to make, that, to one part at least of Her Majesty's subjects, would outweigh all others in being welcomed and supported. For its full accomplishment, unfortunately, thpre are many difficulties to be overcome—difficulties so huge and ramified, and oomposed of materials so impervious to change, that none but the most sanguine believers in justice and freedom overcoming every obstacle can hope for its realisation. It is, in short, nothing less than the emancipation of the Irish nation from the oruel. bonds under which she has labored and suffered for centuries from the dominant Government of England, and during the present century from an unnatural Unionunnatural, because against the will of the people when projected, and protested against ever siuce. There has been no love and no harmony, but rather an ever-increasing and extending dislike. Eighty - five years have passed away, and during the later decades many well-intentioned but ill-directed, half-hearted efforts have been made for the amelioration of the hard condition of Ireland; but without any appreciable effeot in removing the rank evils from past wrongs, the country being still in a suppressed state of ohronio rebellion. Nothing short of Home Rule and tho suppression of cruel and irresponsible landlordism will bring about peace and a genuine unity between Great Britain and Ireland. To labor and to suffer for this grand object is a worthy ambition,:and I certainly entertain a firm hope that Gladstone's life will be crowned by the noble work pro vine to the world that he alone was the .true Unionist, who cremated ihe parchment union, and with its ashes cemented a never-dying Union of love and loyalty. I firmly believe that, dark and foreboding as appearances are at present with regard to Ireland, we are.nearing the time when Home Rule, in some practical and satisfactory form, will be granted 5 and, therefore, Irishmen in these colonies, and all who can see justice and hope in the claims of Ireland, should strain every nerve and use every privilege to hasten on the glorious day when the Shamrock will lovingly embrace the Rose and the Thistle Instead, therefore, of these men frittering away their substance in Jubilee offerings of no national importance, and which, probably, will leave no trace behind thorn—like the projected fireworks of Dunedin—let their energies and their money be devoted to the one object of securing Ireland for the Irish, and with this the unswerving, warm, and devoted affection of the people to their Sovereign, Quecu Viotoria. The Earl of Aberdeen is at present in these colonies, and it is refreshing to see that he, who has lived and ruled in New Zealand, still adheres to his faith in Home Rule. My suggestion is that a monster petition should be drawn up praying the Queen and Parliament to grant Home Rule; that it be circulated throughout the Australian colonies, and signed by everyone who loves Ireland 5 and that it be entrusted to the Earl of Aberdeen for presentation to Parliament on his return to England. I verily believe that, if this work is set about in a right and true-hearted manner so large a petition, so genuine in expression of desire on the part of an independent people, would be presented as was never offered to a British Parliament, and that its effeot will he simply electrical on the deadened hearts and the clouded minds of the obstructionists to the best welfare of Great Britain and'lreland. l Were the wishes of Ireland granted during the present year, the spontaneous outburst of Irish loyalty and love to the Throne and person, of Queen Victoria—the offering of the very heart of the peoples-would be a Jubilee offering that would outweigh and overshadow every other and all others combined. Such an outcome, after half a century's reign, would immortalise Victoria as no other event will' or can do. Who will take the initiative, and organise for thiapetition, hoping, fqr the grand result-? I. give the idea', android as I am. am prepared to work; but it wants youth, ability, courage, and hope to give it vigorous life. Be up and doing, ye'sons of Erin, and of own Victoria your Quesn in heart as she is in name!—l am, etc., An Old Scotch Liberal. i.Oamaru, April 7.