Mr. John Dillon, M.P., was released from Kilmainham Gaol on
Saturday last, without any conditions ; but it was on the ground that his imprisonment was gravely affecting his health, —an impression confirmed by independent medical officers, who visited him on behalf of the Government. Mr. Forster has ex- pressly stated in the House of Commons that this was the ground of his release ; and Mr. Justin McCarthy has remarked to a Bermondsey meeting of Irishmen that this being so, the Irish owe no thanks to the Government for his release. But if Mr. Forster had released him from motives of conciliation, Mr. Justin McCarthy would certainly have made the same remark, and with equal justice. The Irish Irreconcilables would not find any occasion suitable for gratitude to the Government, even if they tried ; for all that British Governments do is in their eyes bad, became it is the British Government that does it Nor, indeed, is it gratitude that the Government wants. If it could but be recognised that they are trying with all their might to do justice,—as well to Mr. John Dillon as to the Irish people,— that would be a great deal better than any gratitude; but that, too, remains for the present an admission quite impossible to the aggressive Members of the Irish party. Ours is, however, fortunately a Government that can bear anathemas, and flourish under malice.
Previous page
