The Irish Nationalists.

Southland Times, Issue 15186, 17 March 1902, Page 3

The Irish Nationalists.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— The letter of " Irish Catholic " is a sorry affair. I doubt very much that he is either Irish or Catholic. If the conduct of Irish M.Ps. was a brutal affront to the feelings of a bereaved nation, what was the conduct of the English Government in sending Mr McHugh to prison for six months ? Was the conduct of the Government brutal when it hired Sergeant Sheridan to send innocent men to prison on the evidence of perjured ruffians for crimes committed by Sheridan himself ? And was Wyndham, who employed Sheridan, brutal when he told ihe House of Commons that he could not get a jury to convict Sheridan, though he could get a judge and jury to convict McHugb, who committed no crime ? When Irishmen are justiy treated they will be as loyal as any other class in the Empire. Irishmen never get the slightest concession from English tyrants till they are, as John Bright said in the House of Commons, on the verge of civil war. Men are naturally disloyal to the tyrants who oppress them. It is not in consequence of the conduct of Irish Ms.P. that the King has abandoned his intended visit — rubbish ! Irishmen know he is a jolly good fellow and his advisors fear to let him see the brutal ways of Dublin Castle. Wyndham allowed Sheridan to escape to America. What can be expected from men thus treated but conspicuous disloyalty. Irishmen are loyal to New Zealand but are not such fools as to proclaim their loyalty to the tyranny which tramples on their native land. I doubt very much if you can find six Irishmen in Southland to agree with "Irish Catholic." At the present moment any policeman can prevent any public meetinp he thinks proper. A fine way to make men loyal ! The Irish question will be considered by Irishmen till their rights be granted, whatever Englishmen may say or do, and if they be not granted the Empire will . suffer more than Ireland. I will not trespass more on your valuable space. — I am, etc., Ibjsi! Nationalist. Invereargill, 15th March.