1 154, Blythe Road, West Kensington, London, 15th August 1916 To The Rt Rev. The Lord Bishop of Limerick. My Lord, I have read with interest your Lordship's spirited letter in the
'Freeman' re patriotism as inculcated by Mrs Starkie. The enclosed cutting
will show you that this pamphlet has an English origin and is a merely one of
the British Lion's 'feelers'. As both of my parents have been natives of
Limerick I take the liberty of writing to you. I have been deeply grieved
on reading of the horrible executions in Ireland, and it is inconceivable how,
in the face of those brutal murders, and the recent murder of Roger Casement
Mr John Redmond should still be bragging of the Irish people have 'done
their duty' in the war. While this latest Irish Martyr was awaiting the hang
man's rope Mr Redmond was boasting in parliament that 150,000 Irishmen were
bleeding and dying' on the plains of France for England and that he still held
to his opinion that Ireland had done her duty in the war. It is difficult to
see what allegiance Ireland owes to England simply because she was conquered
by the sword, and for centuries of oppression and tyranny. Mr Redmond's sen-
timents have changed very much, and a man like that is surely not fit to lead
the Irish people. I see all the papers in the Free Library every day and he John Redmond
seems now, like the 'Tommies', to be the darling of the English people. They
all comment on his loyalty. When the Irish martyrs had been brutally shot down 2 like rats, it was stated in the newspapers that Mr William Redmond had written
to his brother, informing him that the Germans had pasted up notices outside the
Irish trenches informing them that the English were shooting down their country
men, and that they responded on their mouth organs with 'Rule Britannnia'. When
the war was started, and the soldiers marched through the streets they sang the
different National Anthems. We heard God save the King' and 'Rule Britannia'.
We heard the stirring strains of the 'Marsellaise'. For the Irish National
air we heard the unmeaning ditty 'Its a long way to Tipperary'. The National
air 'God save Ireland' was evidently not considered loyal enough by the Redmonds
, hence it was discarded, and this has become the National 'Anthem' for Ireland.
Recently I have heard the air of 'God save Ireland' sung in the streets by
English Children. I was surprised, but on listening to catch the words I heard
the word 'Munitions' and some other such words. At the present time everything
is being done to anglicize Ireland. This Home Rule question caused a great deal
of dissatisfaction over here. England is ruled by the press. I saw letters in
the 'Times' advocating conscription for Ireland as the only means of settling
the Irish Question. It stands to reason that if Conscription for Ireland came
into force, this, in addition to all that have been already killed in the war
and the tide of emigration and the loyal spirit displayed by the Redmondites
and the number of Sinn Feiners locked up, must help to kill Irish patriotism,
and she Ireland would in time cease to be a nation, especially if English settlers
should settle in Ireland and intermarry with the people. The loyal spirit of
the Redmonds at the present time is very unpleasant reading for sensitive Irish
people. The English are indignant when the Germans shoot down any of their
countrymen, but they think it is all right, when they murder Irish patriots who could 3 not possibly be 'traitors' to a foreign foe. At the time of the rebellion, the
papers ridiculed the Irish language, the people assuming Irish names, and called
attention to the fact that that one of the leaders had an Irish name. The fact
of Irish Streets being renamed with Irish names etc. was supposed to foster
this rebellious spirit. They speak of the Irish as if they were only serfs and
slaves of England. The English Empire is trying to raise a Nation in England
out of vice and immorality to make up for the numbers killed in the war. The
most loathsome suggestions are held out to Englishwomen in this connection.
While this is being done Ireland is being drained of some of her best blood,
and Irishmen from the 'Island of Saints' go out to take their places with the
murderers condemned to death who have been let out of Scotland Yard to fight for
the King, and have been awarded the Victoria Cross. The sins against the Almighty
God can be glossed over, 'sins' against the King of England, never. I sincerely
hope Conscription will never extend to Ireland. Surely the Clergy ought to
have a greater influence over the people than John Redmond who is only looking
for a Baronetcy from the king, which will descend to his Soldier Son of whom he
seems to be so proud. I hope you Lordship will not consider it disrespectful
of me to send you the enclosed cutting. It is not certainly intended as such.
The Lord Mayor of London has been advocating the necessity for 'one great
British Church'. They want new and reformed Divorce Laws instead of the ' antiqu
ated' laws in force, and the trouble they say is the Clergy. One paper express ed
the opinion that the Country was saturated with ecclesiasticism, but that 'they
had yet got to learn that the New Testament was not the last thing word in Christ
ianity'. Truly we live in the days of Antichrist. I have the honour to be
, Your Lordship's most obedient servant (Miss) C. Moran