FROM THE ARCHIVES:Longford-born Sir Henry Wilson was an Allied hero of the first World War but became a pariah in nationalist Ireland because of his role as security adviser to the Northern government. He was assassinated in London by two IRA men, possibly acting on the orders of Michael Collins, then head of the new Free State government. This editorial commented on his death.
– JOE JOYCE
OUR WHOLE country ought to be in mourning to-day, not only for the death of a great Irishman, but for the harm and shame which, as we must fear, the manner of it will bring to Ireland. Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson was murdered yesterday in London, and all the circumstances suggest that the crime had its origin in the bitter conflicts and hatreds of Irish politics. We have expressed in these columns our disagreement with Sir Henry Wilson’s rigid attitude to Irish affairs; but we hasten to pay our proud and sorrowing tribute to the memory of the man who made his country’s military genius famous throughout the world. He was not only one of the greatest Irish soldiers, but one of the greatest soldiers of the European War.
The murder, whatever its motive may have been, is a cruel blow to Ireland. If it be proved that the assassins are Irishmen, much of the sympathy with which the British peoples are following the course of Irish settlement may be alienated. It is certain, of course, that the vast majority of Irishmen condemn and deplore the dreadful deed. Mr. Arthur Griffith speaks for them in the statement which we print to-day.
Nevertheless, we fear that anger may breed hasty action, and that many innocent Irishmen in Great Britain may suffer loss of employment and of prospects. If trouble of this sort is to be averted, every leader of every political section in Ireland ought to identify himself immediately with Mr. Griffith’s words.
Until yesterday, we had cause for hope that the relations between Northern and Southern Ireland soon would begin to improve. How tragically these hopes have been dashed by the murder of Sir Henry Wilson! Already Belfast regards it as an act of war. It may provoke reprisals and counter-reprisals until not only Belfast, but the whole country, runs with bloodshed and collapses into a state of civil war, with its inevitable sequel of political chaos and industrial bankruptcy. On the other hand, this detestable crime may be a means of stirring into activity all public influences that, realising the peril, are willing to make a last effort to save Ireland from disaster. We hope most earnestly that our country’s good genius will lead it to choose the better way.
We are convinced that this hour of national crisis requires the coming together of the two Irish governments in the interests of national safety, and that the true citizenship of Ireland on both sides of the Northern frontier would thank God for such co-operation. For this, not for further deeds of horror, we must find a call in the blood of the great Irish soldier, if Ireland is to be saved.
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