AN ELOQUENT PLEA FOR HOME RULE

New Zealand Tablet, 15 June 1911, Page 1117

AN ELOQUENT PLEA FOR HOME RULE

At the .splendid meeting held in His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, on June 2, when addresses were delivered by Messrs, Hazleton, M.P., Redmond, M.P., and Donovan, Mr. W. J. Napier aroused, great,.enthusiasm by his speech in moving the resolution in favor ofVself-govern-ment for Ireland. The resolution was published in our last issue. The Immense>-*. assemblage of the citizens of Auckland here to-night (said Mr. Napier) welcomes Ireland s ; representatives who have come, from the. lighting line for freedom.- After more than one hundred 3 years of struggle, after the sacrifice of thousands of the best sons worn down in an unequal conflict, generation after generation, Ireland is at last within measurable distance of that long-looked-for ■ day when her own Parliament will be once more opened in College Green. (Applause.) By the powers or the Parliament Bill and the pledge of England's Premier within two years from the present time, a Home Rule Act will receive the sign manual of the King, and Ireland will, .again be a " self-respecting : nation. V . Not, as the reactionaries falsely allege, a separate and disloyal State—a thorn in the side of England,—but i one of that loyal contended and happy galaxy of nations which constitute no-o mi f% fabric of -the Empire. When Isaac Butt, in IH<2, started the Home Rule movement, it was thought that within twenty years "at most Ireland would receive the blessing of self-government, but just more than 40 years from that date will have passed ere the hopes of Irishmen will be realised. In the contest" that has been waged with the foes pt-freedom,-Ireland has had the sympathy and support of the democracies. of Europe, America, and the overseas dominions of the British Empire. (Applause.) She .has had to overcome mountains of prejudice, and the political obscurantists who still are vainly trying to thwart her aspirations are appealing, not to the reason and sense or justice but to the prejudices of those whose assistance they invoke. ('Hear,' hear.') Ireland to-day has, at her back the practically unanimous support of the peoples of the United States of Australia and New Zealand.: (Applause.) The self-government which in a few short months has changed the supposed implacable enemies of Englandtie Boer generals and statesmen— into loyal servants of the Crown : .and Empire will remove from Ireland the last vestige of hostility to Britain, and effect a complete and lasting reconciliation of the two peoples. The Irish race owe a great debt of. gratitude to the Irish Parliamentary Party and.its great leader. It will be the crowning glory of John Redmond s career, that like Moses he brought his people out of bondage and struck the fetters from off their feet tor ever If it were ; given to the great patriots of the past-Robert Emmet,: Wolf eS Tone, Fitzgerald, Grattan, Curran, O'Connell, Butt, Parnell,' and many others, to look upon Ireland in her day of triumph, how their hearts would throb with unspeakable delight on seeing their beloved country once more lifting up her head as a free self-governing nation. We revere the memory of the patriots of the past. They died for their, country, and they are now numbered among Ireland's immortals. On the threshold of victory Irishmen know how to be fair and magnanimous to their political opponents. They are willing .to close the pages of Irish history, so stained and blotted by blood and tears, and to look to a future happy Ireland, wherein there will be a- union of hearts.and no sectarian strife. Catholics? and Protestants: have been too long separated by-designing landlords, but the landlords are at last found out. The game is up. And our people will, henceforward march toother irrespective of creed for the common benefit of their, country. (Prolonged applause.) .This resolution expresses our hopes for the speedy political emancipation of our race at Home and also our determination to stand by the Irish Parliamentary arty until success is assured. I ask vou to pass it unanimously and with - enthusiasm, and thus show your faith in the eternal principles of liberty upon which' Ireland bases her demand for. Home Rule,■ and the recognition of which can alone secure, her national greatness and glory.