SIR,—A Dhuine Nasal When Scottus first referred to Irish Republicans and
Communism he didn't show enough of his head for me to hit it, but in his second letter, 6/ I I / 36, he definitely states that there is a " connection between extreme Nationalism (oi Republicanism) and Communism," and he says further, " Any one with first-hand knowledge knows the truth of the allegation."
Here over my name I deny that there is any connection between Irish Republicanism and Communism. The vast majority of Irish people are Republicans, or, if it makes it clearer, Separitists from England, and the vast majority of Irish people are good Catholics, and those who are not Catholics are good Christians. Of course I have known non-Catholics, and people of no religion who were Irish Republicans, but I have never yet met an " anti-God " in the Republican ranks.
Did Scottus ever see this? a priest getting out of his bed about three o'clock in the morning to hear the confessions of about twenty or thirty men, an I.R.A. column, and afterwards to give them Holy Communion, so that they could get away
again before the dawn broke? Has he ever heard the hushed Rosary of an I.R.A. column under the stars on an Irish hillside? Has he ever heard the Rosary said by Irish Republican prisoners resounding front wing to wing of a British prison?
I contend that Irish Republicanism is the bulwark against all foreign invasions
including " aati-Godism.In the past those who stood for extreme Nationalism in Ireland saved the faith and those who deserted extreme Irish Nationalism also deserted the faith. Deny that who can!
Scottus refers to the " Republican " Government Party, meaning, of course,
the Fianna Fail Party. Well, there may be some politicians who have joined Fianna Fail for their own personal gain, but 99
per cent. of the followers of Fianna Fail are earnest Republicans, and the English Government or the English people, would be very foolish to think otherwise on the advice of any Scottus.
The Irish Republican Movement is unique in the history of revolutions. In France, and in most other countries risings have been of starving and oppressed peoples. In Ireland the revolutionaries (if you can call them that) have always been well-fed people, farmers (the bulk of them), tradesmen, and professional men, especially doctors and teachers, and a surprisingly large number of lawyers. This has been true of 1798, the Fenians, the Volunteers of 1916, and the later Irish Republi can Army. Before 1916 England had attracted most of our half-starved men into her Big War. Of course English statesmen always knew of this peculiar Irish peculiarity and that is why Ireland was as far as possible kept in poverty: her industries suppressed and bullock raising encouraged.
I would be delighted, if I had the time, and the Catholic Herald had the space, to enlarge on this subject of Irish Republicanism for the benefit of English readers of good will, but I have said enough.
AILRHE 0. MONACHAIN.
47, Bother Beaumont, Baile Atha Cliath.