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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1906)
1M I AN1V DDI A1 THE dream of Irish freedom, so long deferred, o often disappointed, seems carried far toward a. realiza tion by Sir Henry Cainpbell-Bannerman's assumption of the office of. Prlnrc Min ister of England. A combination of favorable circum stances has conspired to make the pres ent, perhaps the best opportunity that Ireland has ever had to achieve Its great ambition. The finli-Trish administration, under Balfour, has just had a dismal fall. His successor. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Is the llrst Prime Minister of purely Coltic strain that England ever had. He Is committed to the cause of home rule in a number of speeches, and Is trusted by the Irish leaders. The Irish party has now the most ef fGctlvo working strength that has marked it since the days of Parnell. The dissen sions which !plit it, after that great lcador closed his career in scandal and failure, have healed, and such men as John Redmond, the parliamentary leader, Michael. Davltt, John Dillon. T. W. Rus ecll. T. P. O'Connor and Timothy Har rington arc doing yeoman service. In a similar way the efforts of the Gaelic League, for a revival of the an cient Irish tongue, the chief prophet of which movement Is Dr. Douglas Hyde, whose tour of the United States has been the cause of making stout the hearts of Irish-Americans for the ancient cause, has all gone far to aid the greater movement. The Irish Nationalists have now boon united for about eight years, and In this time the best work was done toward put ting Erin's forces in condition to wage a hopeful battle when an administration more friendly than that of Balfour should make the chance of victory a more hopeful one. That time has now come, and Ireland expects the Celtic blood of Sir Henry Campbcll-Bannernian to stir him to zeal for the land of the Shamrock. Sir Henry's policy is perhaps as radical as that of any of the avowed advocates of home rule who m have In the past held the reins of power He has perhaps been less strident in promulgating his views, but this Is the result of a habitual cau tion in speech, not any lack of zeal or strong conviction. Sir Henry's idea is that England can never hope to attain its true measure of prosperity -while Ireland is disaffected, and while a large portion of the world and of the British Em pire Itself holds the opinion that the Irish people have been unfairly dealt with. Not So Far as Gladstone. His remedy does not go as far as that of Gladstone. The latter in the first of his Home Rule bills, intro duced in 1S8G, demanded an Irish Par liament to sit in Dublin, with the pro viso that. the Irish members give up their places in the Westminster Par liament. Judiren were to ho .-nmnintoH The Wild Parsnip. THE wild pcrsnip, which men rooted up and killed out wherever they could find it, and was allowed to grow only in dank, out-of-the-way places where nobody was likely to find It, wished at last that it might be liked as well as the clover, and whispered to the wind how it might be. "I do not know," said the wind; "ask the sun." The sun said: "You must no longer then make poison, which kills those who take it; you must make what everyone likes you must make sugar instead of poison." "But how can this be? It is my nature to contrive poison and to kill people." The sun then said: "1 do not know I only shine. Ask the earth." The earth said: "I give to each ac cording to his demands, whether It Is sweet or bitter, or poisonous I give to each according to his nature." Then the poor poison plant was In de spair; what could hcNdo. when the sun, the wind and the earth only helped him to do what his bad nature wished. He could be only evil and hated. After a while a man came by. "Why do you always hate me and try to kill me off?" said he to the man. "It is my nature to make poison instead of sugar, and neither the wind, the sun nor the earth can make me different." "Ah," said the man: "then you must do it yourself." "Indeed, If I knew how I would." "I will help you," said the man, "for I know. You must no longer grow high out of the ground, with long leaves and stalks and lordly flowers, for it was in your pride of these things that you made by the Irish government and to be removed only by the art of the Irish Parliament. The Irish Legislature was to have the power of taxation, except as to customs and exercise, but to be debarred from any interfer ence with, the army, navy and foreign affairs, and was to be prohibited from making any religious endowment. The second home rule bill in 18H3. which passed the House of Commons, but was overwhelmingly defeated In the House of Lords, was a much less radical measure. Gladstone himself having been brought to feel the hopelessness of persuading the British government to accept a bill as ex treme as he could have wished. In this measure it was specifically stated in the preamble that the authority of the British Parliament was under all conditions to remain absolute. Wanted: A Fair Chance. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman has not yet put himself on record as saying just what measure of freedom he hopes to see obtained for Ireland. His programme may be reduced to this Idea that any bill that gives Ireland a chance to show Its capac ity for self-government Is a distinct gain, and that if the Nationalists "are wise they win accept wnaicver tney can get. TRUE FABLES BY THE LATE the poison. But you must grow very low In the ground and have but lowly leaves: and only now and then, and but few at a time, may you have flowers; and these shall never be cither beautiful or sweet, but of 111 odor." So saying he cut down all his grand stalks and leafs, and year after year made him grow in the ground, seldom even having a flower, and these but mean-looking, and or an 111 odor; and all that time the parsnip felt so humble and poor that it was glad to hide away in the soil, even going deeper and "deeper and growing more and more un der ground. He was thinking all the while: "I can never be beautiful, or vie with the grand plants, or even be like the modest clover; but down here deep In the soil I will grow, and out of sight yield up my bad poison nature and try to produce sweet ness." So it grow, and the gardoncr cut and hacked, until at Ia6t he said, "Now we shall see." So he took some of the roots to a cow. She sniffed and snuffed, but was afraid to touch the parsnip. "Alas," he sighed. "I am not even fit for cow feed. He thought he might as well grow up now; according to his own nature he was poi sonous and hateful: and when h triA to be different he was mean and despised. "-Better be as I was!" he cried, "and kill all I can and let them kill me." And he began throwing up coarse rank spikes In defiance. But the gardner said: This will never do!" and cut them back and piled up earth on him and nearly smothered him in dank, black soil. 'Give your poison to the ground," he said, "where It will do no harm, and let your rankness die out. Kwn vniW I sugar, and "when at laat you g-ct one I'ttE - SUNDAY OREGONTAN, PORTIAND, JANUARY 14, 1906.: Then when this us achieved, ho holds that the Irish people will quickly show that they can conduct the business of their land in a manner that will not only be for Ireland's good, but will be free from any dangers for England. When this much is accomplished, suc ceding Parliaments can more readily be Induced to grant. more and more to Ire land, until eventually the fullest possible measure of self-government has been achieved. Leaders Trust Sir Jlcnry. At one time the Irishmen who arc bear-" ing the brunt of the battle would have been loth to accept promises of this kind, but it is a significant fact that all the prominent leaders. Including the most Im portant of all, John Redmond, are trust ing Campbell-Bannerman. Even Maude Gonne, now Mrs. McBride, that militant Irishwoman, whoso sturdy advocacy of froedom has won for her the title of the Irish Joan of Arc, has warmly praised the new Premier, and expresses the belief that he will not fol low in the footsteps of Chamberlain and Rosebcry. who. once strong supporters of home rule, lived to become Its oppo nents. sweet root, however little It may be. keep that alone, and 1 will destroy all the rest," So t grew low in the ground and at last said. "This root is sweet." The gardner took a little piece of It and tasted It. "Sure enough. It is!" he exclaimed. Then without stopping: he dug up all the rest, which was so much that it was almost exterminated. But the little -sweet root began to grow and produced many. "Now we're on the right road." said the old gardener; "almost anything can be done when we know how. Then nc took out the sweetest roots, which had less and less poison, and made the soil' about them rich and mellow, but the others he destroyed. In course of time he brought -some, which looked poor and weazened and scraggy. "Try these. Bossy." he said. She first smelt and then ate. "They aro good enough." she said, "and quite hearty, but so little or them." "Quality first jind quantity noxt. Madam." said the gardener; and the poor parsnip, who hardly knew him self any more, felt better, for he had thought: "What is tho use of being swuct. if there is nothing left of me." "All. now you have only to grow, and you wlli soon be wanted. "So he grew and the cows and horses, and even the people, too, began to like him; and though rather coarse, and not to call handsome, yet he became useful and is one of the good vege tables of the garden. It Is no longer wild parsnip, poisonous and hurtful, but the tame kind and everybody likes it. Number One and Xmnbcr Other. SOME time ago there were two fel lows Just starting out in life, and they were talking about the best way to get on. One, who might be called Number Most expert English politicians think that Rosebcry has injured his standing and his future in turning against home rule now.- He supported both of Glad stone's bills and clung to the venerable statesman when Chamberlain and other one-time supporters broke away. The feeling seems to be In England that Rose bery will suffer more than Ireland's cause from his recent change of front. John Redmond an Ally. Sir Henry CampbcH-Bannerman's great est ally In the present light is John Red mond, who is well .known lu this country because of his various visits here. Since the latter came Into the leadership of the Irish Nationalist party, he has developed to a posltlop of power that makes him easily tho biggest factor for home rule since Gladstone. He has toned down certain tendencies to hasty speech, and has learned to act with moderation and good judgment, meantime sacrificing nothing of his In tense zeal. His conduct during the Bal four ministry did much to lead to the downfall of that Tory leader, and to pre pare the way for the success of the Lib eral Party and th ennniiinf flora t Inn 01 tarapoeji-iiannerman. One. said: "So far as I can learn, this is a hard and grasping world, and the only way to succeed Is to look out for number one. to get all you can and keep all you get. Everybody is natur ally selfish, and as soon as one gets anything, then everybody else wants to get It away: and if you go to giv ing, what little you have Is soon gone, and then where will you be?" Number Other agreed that it was a naughty ami selfish world that they found themselves Jn, but how was It ever to be better unless we' all tried to do good in it arid to give all the goot. things we had to those who did not have them? "Well." replied Number One. "just you go on that Idea and see where you come out. I Intend to look out for myself, and If anybody tries to get my things away from me, I will fix them." So Number One -started his farm. It was not very long before his things came up and grew and looked fine. It was In the Spring and the days began to be warm and the rains sott and refreshing between the long hours of sunshine. Presently a cow came that way, and seeing Number One's fine things said: "You have some nice, green things here; may I have some? I'm no hun gry. I have a calf at home; a great, butting fellow." He made no answer, but thought: "Just let her take some and she will never want any more." So the cow, wiyiout more questions, thinking "he would not care, began to eat the things of Number One; but it was not very ion before she began to feel dizzy and see double and then foamed at the mouth, and soon fell down and 'died. "It only makes my farm all the richer, aid he. "and I dew't believe she. 'or any othcr cows, either, will want aay things JZA"J. It was Redmond's clever manipulation that enabled the Nationalist party to form a sort of tacit understanding with the Labor representation In Parliament, with the result that on moat issue- the two parties voted In unison. This gave them the balance of power In many closely contested battles, and made Redmond's aid essential to Liberal success. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman is therefore bound to the cause of home rule, not only be cause of his own belief in Its Justice, but as a matter of loyalty to a valuable po litical any. HORACE again" and so he covered her bones up with his big leaves. After a while a poor woman, carrying a basket, came by and seeing the nice things, said to Number One, "I am very poor and have some hungry children, and am hunting for something to eat; please let me have some of your nice things." He said nothing, but thought. "She can have them; but she will never want any more." So she dug up some of the flnu roots and put them into her basket, and when she went home, made some broth for her children; but after they ate it all felt sick and soon died. "They will never come bothering around again," said Num ber One. So he grew, and his things were tall and grand. Number Other went 'out onto his farm, too: and in the warm sunshine and soft showers of Spring his things began to grow, and looked as fine as Number One's. But after a while a cow camo along and said. "How" nice your things look, and I am so- hungry! I have a great calf -at home, and must eat for him and me both. Let me have a biter "Yes." said Number Other, gladly; "cat all you need." So the cow ate, and the nest day came back as hungry as ever: and the next day other cows began to come, and all ate. So it went on day after day; all was eaten down to the ground and badly tramped besides. It was time now for blossoms, and Number Other had some beautiful ones ready, and longed to have a chance" to bring them out; but the cattle made it hard for him. At last, however. In a little, neglected nook, under a few sticks, he brought out some of his flowers, and made them not only beautiful, but very fragrant also, so as to perfume all the air. Xt was be cause he was grateful and glad. But the flowers smelled so sweet that the bees coming by smelled them, and began draw ing out their honey. What nectar came in the dewy night the bees carried off during the day. About this time Number One. came past. Hope for Hoeie.iR.Mle UederSIr Henry CampbeEl-Baoeerinniae When Balfour became Prime Minister in 1S92. he announced that there would bo no Irish legislation, and when the Irish members vehemently objected, he sought to silence them by adopting a closure rule, whose purpose was to stifle debate. But this device did not avail, for Redmond and the other leaders played such skill ful politics that soon both sides were courtlnsr their support. It is an unde niable fact that under Balfour, foe of home rule, great gains were made for the cause. This is the political side of it. Other S. LYMAN Seeing how small and eaten up and trod den down Number Other's farm was, he cried out scornfully. "You see how it ends. You are a miserable little thing now, not six inches tall, and half the Summer gone: you have given away all you have, and now where are you? Those cattle and those Insects of yours are tak ing all your leaves and blossoms, and carrying the very honey out of your heart. But I am over six feet tall, and nobody bothers me. Now, who Is right?" Number Other could make no reply; for what Number One said seemed true; It seemed now that his things would not be left to live over Summer, so many were taking them, and even seed for the next year could not be farmed. "But." he thought. "I will at least make the world happier one Summer" and he kept on growing the best he could. But after a while two people came around looking. They were the owner and his man. They first came to where Number One was. "What is this great, rank thing?" asked the owner. It stood up over six feet tall, with broad, glossy leaves. The man rummaged all around, and at last found the bones of the cow. "I believe, sir." he answered, "that we have found what killed the cow. and very likely what killed the widow, too." "If that 13 the case." said the Owner, "we must burn it up." So the man went to work and cut it down and dug out all the roots, and piled everything carefully on some dry brush, not leaving a leaf or root or flower or seed end. Then he set fire, and Number One turned black and curled in the bright flames, and soon disappeared In smoke. After that the two went to the place where Number Other was. The man looked all around, and saw.the eaten-out and tramped-down farm, as If all the cattle and sheep and pigs . In the world had been running over it. "I do believe." he exclaimed -joyfully, "that we have at last found the thing that 30, causes are also contributing to this suc cess. One is the movement for the revival of the Gaelic tongue and literature. Dr. Douglas Hyde, who carried the propagan da to this country during the past few weeks, made denial that it had affiliation with any political movement, and this may be true In a literal sense, but there Is no doubt that the spread of native tongue is doing much to awaken the Irish spirit. Everywhere Dr. Hyde met th most enthusiastic reception, and the sing ing of the Gaelic songs aroused the wild est enthusiasm. Dr. Hyde says that the movement is checking emigration. It is keeping Irish men In Ireland, for it is teaching- them that they have much to be proud of in their great traditions. The Gaelic League now employs ten organizers, and is aided by 200 teachers. There are 20 branches of the League in Ireland alone, and 100.0CO persons on Shamrock's Isle are studying- the tongue. Thousands in the United States have been Inspired to take It up. Altogether there Is ample reason to be lieve that the cloud that has so lonir hun? over the "ould country" Is on the point ui in uus. made the cows give such nice milk, and that gave the honey Its new flavor." "If that Is so." said the Owner, "we must save it." So the man made a fence and gave Number Other a large field; and his things grew up tall and beautiful, and the field was full of flowers. And thp man saved the seed and scattered It all over. Every body wanted some. The cows and the sheep wanted It; the bees wanted it; the bald old mountain side wanted it, and the deep green mea dows wanted it; and the girls hunted amongst Its leaves, to wrap them in their shoes for good fortune. It was taken all over the world, and wherever It went made the world better making the fields and meadows green ot gay with blossoms, and Ailing the air witt a pleasant fragrance. It wears caps of many colors some are red some purple, some yellow, and sonv and those are the sweetest, arc pure white. Everybody knows its name; it 1 Clover That was Number Other; at called because it liked to do others good rLl J,umbr, 0ne. that was Poison u ,cK ,or,Jv,,d ParsnP: hich every it Is u5 f and kllIs out wherever Found Old Roman Road. 1 Baltimore American. During the making of a sewer at Ely England, near the Junction of the Lynr and Cambridge roads, the excavations ol worklngmen have again brought to light at a depth of eight feet remains of Ake man street, the great Roman military thoroughfare. The foundation appears to be of flinty pebbles and fragments strongly embedded In a tenacious black, gault, surfaced with slaked lime, and great labor with pickaxes Is required to break It up. Excepting a kind of quern, a piece of monastic load coinage, and fragments of Roman horseshoes and nails, no antiquities have yet conie to light.