LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE IRISH QUESTION IN A WORKMAN'S LIGHT. [TO THE ED/TOR OF THE ..smrsron.'l
Sin,—It is very interesting to see what "A Workman's" view is of the Irish Question; but I should like to suggest to him one or two points for his reconsideration.
1. What is "a country" which, as he truly says, quoting the late Lord Russell, "has a right to be governed in strict accord- ance with the wishes and aspirations of its own people " ? If Great Britain and Ireland is not such "a country," what is Does language make "a country " P If so, the Highlands of Scotland, or Wales, or the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, may claim a right to secede from the common State. Or, may the historical Heptarchy scatter itself into its original fragments ?
2. Who are the "privileged persons" in whose interest the Irish Union is maintained? If "A Workman" means the owners of property, how are they " privileged" ? Every citizen gives up his right to defend himself and his goods after his own fashion, on condition that the community does it for him. Why have not those whose property is attacked by the National League in Ireland as good a right to claim protection from the law, as
your correspondent would have if a less skilled workman than himself tried to destroy his tools, or to steal his savings But is it so certain that the Irish are in the least unanimous for Home-rule ? The voters number 585,715. The votes cast for Home-rule were 295,269, leaving a majority of only 4,823 for Home-rule.
3. Why should landlords (i.e., persons who have invested their savings in land under the guarantee of the law) be forced to take "five years' purchase " P If they are to be forcibly dis- possessed, they ought at least to be given an amount in the English Funds that will produce what the Government valuers under Mr. Gladstone's Act have declared to be the fair rent for their property.
I am sure that your correspondent would regret that there should be any just cause for the opinion that it is difficult for labour to be fair to capital, under the mistaken idea that it is "privileged." Should such prove to be the case now that we are a democracy, the only result will be that capital will in- fallibly seek for investment outside England.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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