over the Christmas recess.
***
THE CHURCH AND EDUCATION
The procurement of a national university for Catholics was another early policy goal of the reunited Party. On this and other Irish education matters, Redmond was in constant touch with the Archbishop of Dublin.
FROM ARCHBISHOP WALSH
Dublin, 28 February 1901:
… Now it has to be recognized that what we have got is a thing that is working badly. This gives a new force to the demand for reform … If T.C.D. stands as a College and University, self-contained, we must have a similar College and University at the Catholic side …
I hope the splendid work now being done by the Party will stir up the country …38
TO ARCHBISHOP WALSH
House of Commons, 12 March 1901:
Mr. Balfour has intimated to me that it is exceedingly likely the opportunity for the debate on the University question which we have won in the ballot will arise on the 25th of this month …
I need not say we would be guided most largely by what you and the Hierarchy thought the best course to pursue. It would be very kind of you if you could give me the benefit of your advice and guidance in this matter …39
FROM ARCHBISHOP WALSH
Dublin, 14 May 1901:
… Irish can be taught as an ordinary school subject, within the ordinary school hours, in any national school in Ireland provided that the efficiency of the school … is not interfered with. At present there is hardly a school (under Catholic management) in Dublin in which it is not being taught …40
***
Redmond’s relationship with the Catholic hierarchy became strained in late 1902 when the Tory Government’s Education Bill was in Parliament. The Bill’s provisions for Catholic schools in England and Wales, many in Irish communities, were an important issue for the Irish Party. With Redmond and Dillon in the US in October, O’Brien withdrew the Party to Ireland because of coercion, incurring the wrath of the hierarchy, Healy and the Irish Independent.
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN MP
18 Wynnstay Gardens, 26 November 1902:
… This storm will blow over, but it has some serious aspects. What has occurred will give a new lease to the Independent and we must now face a fresh campaign of abuse and blackguardism – and we cannot rely on the Freeman …
I wish you had possession of the Independent. It is not safe for the movement to have to rely solely on the Freeman …41
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN MP
18 Wynnstay Gardens, 30 November 1902:
… As a choice of evils I wrote the letter which you will have seen in the Freeman before you receive this. Any appearance of backing down must of course injure the prestige of the Party ... On the other hand, I am convinced [Bishop] Dr. O’Donnell’s withdrawal wd. mean the immediate break up of the movement here and abroad – the end of our Funds – and a split in the Party at once …
P.S. I feel greatly disheartened. Our people are not able to stand up against the Church and the Church always, in every critical moment, has gone wrong. In ’52, in ’67, in Parnell’s crisis (may I say it?) and now! – not to go further back.42
PUBLISHED LETTER TO ALL IRISH PARTY MEMBERS
1 December 1902:
The action of the Irish Party has been misunderstood by many Nationalists and especially by the Irish Bishops who, of course, on a question of this kind, have a special right to have their views listened to with the deepest respect … The Irish Party did stay in London for the Second Reading and Committee stages for many weary weeks when the Bill was in genuine jeopardy, while those now clamouring about Catholic Education were absent; in the Autumn Session we would only have swelled huge Government majorities; we were never indifferent to the Bill but the interests of Ireland required us to be at home …
We always contemplated the possibility of a contingency arising when it would be our duty to return. Therefore, in deference to the strong views expressed by the Irish Hierarchy … I request you to be ready to come to London if you get a telegraphic whip, which will be sent to you should the contingency I have mentioned arise.43
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN MP
Aughavanagh, 12 December 1902:
… [It is] necessary to issue a whip for Tuesday to support the Lords amendment [to the Education Bill] putting the cost of repairs in Voluntary schools upon the rates. This is undoubtedly a vital question for the Catholic schools, very much more so than for the Anglican ones …44
CHAPTER 6
The Land Act and Conciliation, 1902–1907
THE WYNDHAM LAND ACT
The report of the Land Conference, published in January 1903, attracted immediate criticism from the Freeman’s Journal, from Davitt and from Archbishop Walsh, all of whom alleged that the financial terms suggested were much too generous to the landlords. As Wyndham prepared his new Land Bill based on the Conference recommendations, the unprecedentedly large sum of money involved (needed to provide purchase loans to the tenants and a bonus incentive to the landlords to sell) made his relations with the Treasury delicate. In the light of this, Redmond feared that sharp controversy over the Bill at the April UIL Convention might provide a pretext for the withdrawal of the Bill. In particular, he worried about the attitude of Dillon, who had not been involved in the Land Conference. Further anxiety related to the possible effect on the Bill of controversy surrounding the impending visit of the new King, Edward VII.
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN MP
18 Wynnstay Gardens, 14 January 1903:
I am to speak in Edinburgh on Saturday …
Of course I was not surprised at Davitt’s letter. It will do no harm. What about Dillon’s views? – he hasn’t said a word to me about the [Land] Conference … I also had a friendly note from [Dunraven].1
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN MP
18 Wynnstay Gardens, 19 January 1903:
… Dunraven called to see me the other day … He seems very sanguine …
I hope there is no danger of Dillon chiming in with Davitt.2
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN MP
18 Wynnstay Gardens, 20 January 1903:
… Dunraven recd. today a long letter from Wyndham, parts of which he read for me. He sd. he would like … to meet Dunraven and me to explain his [Land] Bill but stipulated that [Under Secretary] Sir A. MacDonnell shd. be present and that he shd. be excused from disclosing the terms and methods upon wh. the necessary money was to be raised … He says [Chancellor of the Exchequer Ritchie] fears the possible effect on Transvaal loan of the disclosure of an intention to raise a ‘considerable sum of money to carry out land purchase on a much larger scale than ever before attempted’ …
Wyndham
