John E. Walsh and J. Mackay Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
John E. Walsh and J. Mackay Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Walsh, John E.
Wilson, J. Mackay
Identifier
WWP15560
Date
1918 December 26
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Text
It has come to our knowledge that representations are being made to your Excellency on behalf of the leaders of the Sinn Fein Movement in Ireland, which has now practically absorbed the Nationalist Party, to use your influence with HM Government to have the principle of self determination applied to Irelnd, and, and to visit the country with this end in view.
We would remind you that there are upwards of 400,000 loyalists in the parts of Ireland outside Ulster, representing the most substantial elements in the South and West, who along with loyal Ulster are no less anxious to extend to you a cordial welcome to our common country.
On behalf of these we would venture to ask your earnest consideration to the enclosed statement which sets out the cardinal facts of the present situation in Ireland, and refers, by way of contrast to the so called “popular movement” in Ireland, to the action of your great pedecessor President Lincoln in resolutely refusing the demand of the Southern States of America to secede, with the result that in the United States of to-day we are proud to regcognise the great champion of Democratic libery.
In a country such as Ireland peopled by two sections of distinct race, religious beliefs, ideals, and attitude towards England, the establishment of Home Rule must mean the placing of the more progressive section of the community under the control of the less progressive.
A fact in the situation little realised by those not resident in Ireland is the dominating influence which the Church of Rome wields in matters politic. That Church is a great political organisation working for its own ends. In recent months it has successfully defied the British Government and opposed the application of conscription to Ireland, while many individual Bishops, including Cardinal Logue, are now openly supporting Sinn Fein in demanding a Republic. This fact is increasingly a cause of alarm to loyalists.
Under the Union every citizen in Ireland enjoys the same rights of free government as those in England, Scotland, and Wales; and the loyal minority are resolutely opposed to abandoning their rights to citizenship in the United Kingdom for what they know would be an intolerable form of tyranny, should the government of the country be handed over to the forces of reaction.
We would respectfully ask your Excellency to hesitate before making any pronouncement on the subject of Home Rule until at least the case of the loyal minority in Ireland had been fully laid before you.
Should you do our country the honour of visiting it, we would ask you to accord us the privilege of waiting upon you by deputation.
We have, Sir, the honour to be
Your obedient servants
J. Mackay Wilson
Chairman
John E Walsh
Hon Secretary
We would remind you that there are upwards of 400,000 loyalists in the parts of Ireland outside Ulster, representing the most substantial elements in the South and West, who along with loyal Ulster are no less anxious to extend to you a cordial welcome to our common country.
On behalf of these we would venture to ask your earnest consideration to the enclosed statement which sets out the cardinal facts of the present situation in Ireland, and refers, by way of contrast to the so called “popular movement” in Ireland, to the action of your great pedecessor President Lincoln in resolutely refusing the demand of the Southern States of America to secede, with the result that in the United States of to-day we are proud to regcognise the great champion of Democratic libery.
In a country such as Ireland peopled by two sections of distinct race, religious beliefs, ideals, and attitude towards England, the establishment of Home Rule must mean the placing of the more progressive section of the community under the control of the less progressive.
A fact in the situation little realised by those not resident in Ireland is the dominating influence which the Church of Rome wields in matters politic. That Church is a great political organisation working for its own ends. In recent months it has successfully defied the British Government and opposed the application of conscription to Ireland, while many individual Bishops, including Cardinal Logue, are now openly supporting Sinn Fein in demanding a Republic. This fact is increasingly a cause of alarm to loyalists.
Under the Union every citizen in Ireland enjoys the same rights of free government as those in England, Scotland, and Wales; and the loyal minority are resolutely opposed to abandoning their rights to citizenship in the United Kingdom for what they know would be an intolerable form of tyranny, should the government of the country be handed over to the forces of reaction.
We would respectfully ask your Excellency to hesitate before making any pronouncement on the subject of Home Rule until at least the case of the loyal minority in Ireland had been fully laid before you.
Should you do our country the honour of visiting it, we would ask you to accord us the privilege of waiting upon you by deputation.
We have, Sir, the honour to be
Your obedient servants
J. Mackay Wilson
Chairman
John E Walsh
Hon Secretary
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Walsh, John E. and Wilson, J. Mackay, “John E. Walsh and J. Mackay Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 December 26, WWP15560, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.