A Chara, - At this time of remembrance, could I recall the role of Sir Winston Churchill during the fateful year of 1922 when, with his help, democracy won? Most Irish people are only too well aware of the ignominious role played by Churchill as Secretary of State for War, when he introduced the Black and Tans into Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War of 1920-21. But few acknowledge the subsequent role he played during 1922, as Secretary of State for the Colonies, which won for him in some quarters, the title of "Founder of Ireland".At the Colonial Office, Churchill had the onerous task of piloting the "Irish Free State Bill" through the House of Commons. In Ireland he had to ensure that the Provisional Government won against the anti-Treatyites and did not go to war with Northern Ireland.In January 1922 Churchill wrote to the Prince of Wales: "The Irish event seems to turn out well. Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins are men of their word. When the Treaty was signed after a dramatic struggle, we shook hands on it and pledged ourselves to put it through on both sides without regard to personal or political fortunes. They are certainly doing their part; and we will not fail in ours. The PM has handed the business over to me now".In the event Churchill's words proved prophetic. Before the year was out, both Griffith and Collins had forfeited their lives, while Churchill had lost ministerial office and his seat in Parliament. But the Treaty stood.In the Commons Churchill fought against Tory and Unionist pressure to get the second reading of the Bill through. He said: "If you want to enable dangerous and extreme men to undermine and overturn a Government which is doing its best to keep its word with us and enabling us to keep our word with it, delay this Bill."The tragic deaths of Griffith and Collins made Churchill fear that a realignment of forces might give de Valera any power. On September 12th William Cosgrave, speaking in the Dail, said that the Treaty would be honoured and the new Constitution would be ready for British parliamentary ratification before December 6th, on which date, under the Treaty, the authority of the Provisional Government ceased.
Churchill was able to say: "At last we have found Irishmen whose word is their bond. Ireland is going to save itself. No one else is going to . . . Responsibility is a wonderful agent when thrust upon competent heads."By October 1922 the British Government had collapsed. Before the resulting General Election, W. T. Cosgrave wrote to Churchill: "The valedictory message which you have sent me on leaving office touches many chords. Hitherto the exit from power of a British Cabinet has meant for us in Ireland but another milestone on the long dark road of alien government imposed on our nation, shadowed with futility in rule on the one hand, and utter bitterness in resistance on the other. But in our day and our generation, we have found the turn in the road." - Yours, etc.,Anthony Jordan,Gilford Road,Dublin 4.