A PLEA FOR UNITY
Speaking near Lurgan on March 26, Mr. William O'Brien, M.P., gave utterance to some words which, in view of the existing political situation inside as well as outside of the Irish Parliamentary Party, are significant. Mr. O'Brien's comments are as follows:-
If the Irish Party are not the constituted representatives of the Irish people, then nobody else can claim to be and the whole claim for Home Rule for Ireland falls to the ground. That being so, whatever little differences may from time to time arise, as they will arise among all man and in all countries as well as in Ireland, I would earnestly submit to you, fellow countrymen, that the first condition of National safety is that they be settled by the conscious judgement of the representatives of the Irish Party within the council chamber of that party there should be no appeals to constituencies and there should be no attempt to introduce facetious or quarrels at every crossroads in the country upon matters as to which it is impossible that the masses of the people can fully understand the facts without going into discussions that would turn the country into a Beer Garden and a disgrace. A couple of days ago our countrymen in America were celebrating St. Patrick's Day, and they cabled to me for a message, or what they call in America a 'sentiment', suitable to the present situation of the Irish Cause. I cabled to them this reply and I hope that in your judgement as well as in my own humble judgement it represents fairly what is the duty of every patriotic Irishman.
“May we learn to conduct our differences of opinion like the peoples of every free nation with courtesy and toleration one for another, with the fullest freedom of discussion within the council chambers of the Irish Party and with loyal unity of action once a decision is taken, and may we by steadfastness, prudence and self restraint prove ourselves worthy of the unparalleled advantages we enjoy at this moment in the struggle for Ireland's freedom.”
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