MR. REDMOND'S OPPORTUNITY.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE"SPECTATOR"] Six,—We have read with great interest Mr. Redmond's fine speech in the House, reported in the Times of August 28th. He says he is proud of the Irishmen now fighting in Belgium. Mr. Redmond's influence in the South and West of Ireland is unbounded. Will he not now appeal to all young Irishmen to enlist P One such message from him placarded in every Irish village would bring thousands to join the colours. In how many villages is his speech in Parliament read? Young Irishmen are waiting, still waiting, for this word from him. Is it going to come ? Or is he hesitating at the supreme moment P Is his name to be handed down as one of the great Irishmen of history, or as one who lacked strength to use his great influence to supply the overwhelming need of his country ? The example of the great Frenchmen, Delcasse, Millerand, Sembat, and others, should be enough to make English, Irish, and Scotsmen sink every political feeling and join heart and soul in the great struggle. Now is Mr. Redmond's opportunity ; will he avail himself of it? The hours are passing. When has Ireland been behindhand in courage and generosity P Is not the example of those Irish and British soldiers who are fighting our battles in France something to us ? Or the example of those Belgians, who will live in history P Will not Mr. Redmond give the word now to the thousands of young Irishmen who are waiting for it? It has not come yet. Let him tell them to go to the great camp at the Curragh and join those famous old Irish regiments who are fighting for all that men hold dear, women and children and home, against an enemy whose inhuman cruelty has filled all hearts with horror. Will he not now throw all his influence, and at once, on the side of a righteous cause P—I am, Sir, &c., M. WALLNE. Moystown House, Belmont, King's Co.
Previous page
