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74 , THE" NATIONAL DEMOCRAT
June, 1907
sounded a note of peace, and wettrust her appeal
fota eessation of merely personal attacks will be
listened to on both sides. The crisis is too serious
for partisan bickering.
It has been snggested to us that a conference
between some of the Parliamentary leaders and
some of the Sinn Fein leaders might be attended
with good‘results. We shall be glad to know what
our readers think of this proposition ; if it were to
meet with any kind of general acceptance we might
ourselves take the initiative in attempting to pro-
mote it. But, meanwhile, we may be allowed to
say that conferences between leaders do not appear
to us to otter the best chances of promoting unity.
Unity must come from below-from the people
themselvesethe leaders will come together in due
time.
We believe that in united action on definite
issues, ignoring for the present the question of repre-
sentation atWestminster, the members ofthe various
Nationalist organisations in each locality will find
a way towards uniting all the National forces on
democratic lines. We invite from all interested,
whether Sinn Feiners or United Irish Leaguers,
suggestions as to the precise mode in which this
object may best be attained.
As we go to press, we observe with pleasure a
temperate article in Sinn Fe’in, having for its objec-
tive some such reunion of forces as we advocate.
VVe commend the study of this article to all Parlia-
mentary Nationalists, and we hope to see its moder-
tion reciprocated by those who disagree with the
Sinn Fein policy.
JOHN KELLS INGRAM
THE death of John Kells Ingram on May 1st re-
moved one more of the older generation of Irish-
men whom the younger generation can ill spare.
To the man in the street Dr. Ingram was, of
course, chiefly known as the author of “VVho
fears to speak of ’98 ?” That piece, written in
Trinity College, and dropped into the letter-box of
the Nation, has secured for the author an undying
fame amongst his countrymen. But Dr. Ingram
had other claims of a different and not less endur-
ing character. A man of studious and lofty nature,
he was early attracted by the writings of Comte,
and became a convinced Positivist. His “ History
of Political Economy ” has been translated into
many languages ; and his other works include
“ Outlines of the History of Religion,” “ Practical
Morals,” and “The Final Transition,” in which
he discusses the conditions of change from the
various sectional religions of the present day to
what he regarded as a Religion of Humanity em-
bracing the whole human race.
Some discussion has taken place in the Press as
to whether Dr. Ingram ever changed his views on
Irish matters in later life. On this question some
very interesting extracts from letters are reproduced
in the current number of the ‘Posithvist Review by
Mr. S. H. Swinny, the editor, who is also, like Dr.
Ingram, an Irishman and a Nationalist. Mr.
Swinny says that Dr. Ingram was a constant cor-
respondent of his. In a letter dated April 13th,
1905, Dr. Ingram wrote 1-
My general view as to the future composition of the world at
large, which coincides with Comte’e, leads me to believe that Ire-
will be one day independent, and if she were once Positivist (which
she is not likely to be till France, Italy, and Spain are first con-
verted), her voice would be one of the most interesting, touching,
and poetic in the symphony of nations.
There is not much Unionism to be detected about
that expression of opinion. Again, in a letter dated
January 16th, 1906, just after the General Elec-
tion, Dr. Ingram, referring to something that had
been said by Professor Goldwin Smith, wrote ze
Smith seems also greatly alarmed at the notion of a severance of
Ireland. But the longer I live, the more assured I am of two
propositions (1), that separation is the real solution and (2) that we
in Ireland are not yet ripe for it. I think C. I3.'s policy on this
subject is the only right and feasible one at present, and that Red-
mond ought to accept it and work with the Government.
Mr. Swinny pertinently adds that many people
“might be inclined to attribute the present unripe-
ness to England rather than Ireland." In view of
the suggestions of one or two correspondents of the
Irirlz Times, it is interesting to have it on record
that Dr. Ingram, as late as a year and a half ago,
actually professed himself a Separatist. That should
end that particular controversy, and lVIr. Swinny is
to be congratulated on giving those opinions to the
world.
“ IRISH GARDENEIlJG.”
Full of Pictures.
Full of Information.
A WhoIIy Irish Publication.
Price Twopence.
Yearly, post free, 35.
53 Upper Sackville Street, Dublin.