ARE THE IRISH FIT FOR SELF GOVERNMENT?

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 79, 31 October 1874, Page 10

ARE THE IRISH FIT FOR SELF GOVERNMENT?

One of tlie English writers on the ' New York Times ' lately asked this question, and answered it, of course, tj please himself. He finds* however, that ha is not in England when he belittles Irishmen in New York. The ' New York Herald ' of July 30, indignantly says :—: — " We pass by, for the moment, the historical fact that at the c1036of the last century Ireland had what she now seeks ; that it was taken from her in 1800, forcibly and corruptly ; and that she now asks only a part of that which Irishmen claim as their inalienable right. Independently of this, the inquiry is whether self-government in local mattersis or is not a sound and wise rule of political conduct. If it be, wh/ should its application to Ireland, under proper safeguards, be refused by England ? Are the people of Ireland unfit for self- legislation ? Tli& conduct in the United States of those who came hither does not proveit. With us they take attentive, serious, patieni, and intelligent interest in public affairs. Indeed, if we mistake not, the large municipal and city organizations in Ireland show as good government by Irishmen aa any people can exhibit. Irish cities are quite as orderly and self-respecting as English cities. Certainly is not for those who insist that negroes are capable of self-legislation to deny it to Irishmen." The 'New York Commercial Advertiser ' of July 30, answers the slander in the following words :—: — " The ' Times ' has imported another • distinguished Englislv journalist ' to writs down ' Ireland and the Irish.' The other day helabored through a column to show that Irishmen are unfit for selfgovernment. This slander against the Irish is a stale and explode*! one. It is the old argument of the great grandfathers of monarchy, and the believers in the divine right of kings and other fantastical*. This English dofamep of Irishmen would have the readers of the ' Times ' believe that Ireland and the internal affairs of that country are guided and controlled by Englishmen. He ignores the fact that local self-government exists in every part of Ireland jtut as extensively aa it does in this country. Thrre is hardy a city or town in Ireland where the people do not elect their Mayor, Mdernen and totont officers. The best municipal governments in the world are found in Ireland, simply because tlie taxpayers and property holders are the political managers. la about every city, Mayor, Aldermen, and Councilmen serve without compensnton. Bad as Irishmen are made to appeur by English writers, and the offal and bcuui that come to the political front in this country, you may look in vain to find municiptl robbers and swindlers in Ireland. They may break each other's heads, but they are seldom found breaking into the public treasury. We will be told by such detainers of Irishmen, as the « New York Times ' employs, that the Mayor and Aldermen are not Irishmen, they are mon of English descent. This is the dodge Englishmen generally resort to when they wish to belittle Irishmen. They have claimed General Washington as an Englishman.