Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

5 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

Advertising

X^WARNINGTcTm THE WELSH CHURCH.

MESSRS. BOWEN ROWLANDS, M.P.,I…

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

MESSRS. BOWEN ROWLANDS, M.P., AND CO. The Hon. Member for Cardiganshire and his esteemed friend, Tom Ellis, M.P., are starring it in the provinces. The programme consists of a tragical recital of Tory misdeeds, and the amusing farce called, You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." At Cardigan the scratching had to be done by Mr W. 0. Brigstocke, as the state of the roads prevented Mr Ellis from attending the opening meeting, but he was hardly missed, his duties were most ably performed by the county chairman of the Carmarthenshire Council, who proved a proficient in the art. There was a good deal of Home Rule in all the speeches; Home Rule for Ireland, and though we are not told what even that means, we are to have a better and wider Bill for Wales. In fact, Wales for the Welsh, and all the ridiculous fustian that forms the stock in trade of Welsh Radical orators was freely indulged in. It is strange 13 ZD that these two hon. gentlemen who apparently pride themselves on their superior brain power cannot find a less puerile subject to dilate upon fortunately, the one could only address his audience in the language of the hated Saxon, and the other spoke in so broad a North Wales dialect that his words were all but unintelligible to the refined Cardiganshire ear. How will it be when the national aspirations have been gratified, and Wales have elected a full house of well paid repre- sentatives. Shropshire must, of course, be at once annexed, as Shrewsbury is by mutual consent declared the metropolis of Wales the language of the Salopians or some other mutually comprehended tongue must be adopted if the hon. members are to understand one another and busines is to be done. Will Mr Ellis ransack the recesses of his fertile brain for means to reconcile the many con- flicting elements of race and language that ZD 4D make up the Welsh nation. He will be a greater man than Llewellyn or any of the ancient worthies if he can. It was these same differences that gave Wales as a prey to English adventurers they exist still, but lie dormant under the spell of the mighty power with which we are happily united-an alliance that every Welshman of common sense will do his best to cherish and cement. One part of Mr Ellis' speech at Lampeter must have been gull and wormwood to Mr Rowlands the hon gentleman dilated at length, and with con- siderable warmth upon the necessity of filling every office with Welsh speaking men, or with persons who are elever enough to lerirn to be understood in the Welsh lanquaqe. Mr Ellis, of course, is aware that Mr Rowlands' term of office has nearly expired, but it was unkind to remind him so pointedly of it. If every office, however humble, is to be filled by Welsh speaking men, it is, of course, im- possible that the most purely Welsh County of the Principality should continue to be represented by Mr Rowlands, who, on his own confession, has never been sufficiently taught his native tongue," or in the words of Mr Ellis has not been clever enough to learn it." In arguing the case of Wales for the Welsh, Mr Ellis made use of an amusingly sapient illustration. "Slppose" says the hon. gentleman, there was a county court judge- ship vacant in Essex, and a Welshman, who knew a dozen different languages, but not English, were appointed to it. What would become of him He would be treated with ten times greater contempt than a tithe collector ever was in Wales." And very justly so, if the man was imbecile enough to acquire ten languages, and yet remain ignorant of the most useful and far reaching ignorant of the most useful and far reaching of all, we had almost said the universal business language of the world, he would deservedly be treated with contempt. It is lamentable to hear men of education uphold- ing Welsh Nationality on such false grounds as these. We yield to none in pride of our country, nation and of our ancient tongue, but in the name of common sense let us realise the fact that our language, beautiful as it is, can in no way advance the welfare of the Welsh people, that on the contrary it holds us back in the race of life. In what language do we conduct our business and keep our ac- counts ? If we desire to stndy a science or art, do we turn to a Welsh book ? Let us rather feel pride in our country, for the many noble traits in the character of its people, for their thrift, energy and aptitude to elevate themselves the moment they cast off the trammels that false patriots seek to twine around them, for their own political ends. Of course, Mr Ellis let off the usual tirade against landlords, who in some mysterious way are responsible that the" poor, honest workingman has nothing to do but to emigrate, &c." We suspect that the farmer has more to do with this matter than the landlord. The latter would be only too glad to keep the labourer on the land if possible, but that worthy, if able bodied, will hardly be content with the current rate of agricultural pay when double and treble the amount can be earned by shorter hours at the works. As far as the workingman is concerned he is to be congratulated on the fact that he has a ready market for his labour so near at hand. If sympathy is to be expended, it should be poured over the owners and occupiers of land who suffer great loss by dearth of labour. Mr Ellis touched but lightly upon the Dis- establishment question, but he used a signifi- cant expression, which, read in conjunction with Mr Alfred Thomas's recent utterances, throws a light upon the conscientious prin- ciples that guide the Liberation party-The question needed only the sickle in order to reap the harvest." To reap the harvest that other men have sown The expression is pretty, but is put in much shorter words in the Decalogue, which we commend to Mr Ellis' notice. The statement that the Roman Priesthood have only the same influence over their flock as is exercised by the Nonconfor- mist ministers of Wales, is a downright insult to the Protestantism of this country. What influence can our ministers bring to bear that can compare with the awful power of the confessional? Was it mere sympathy with the people of Ireland that led the priests to exertion in the late elections? If they were so much in sympathy with the people, why not have trusted them to vote as they pleased Mr Rowlands scouts the idea that Home Rule can be a damage to the Protes- tants of Ireland, and appeals to history in proof of his assertions. It would not be ditlicnlt to controvert his statement by the authority to which he refers, but the piteous appeal against Home Rule addressed to us by the Nonconformists of Ireland is sufficient proof of the fallacy. Mr Rowlands is very anxious to know what good the Conservatives have done for the people of Wales. If Mr Row- lands had held a meeting at Llandyssul he might have been enlightened on this matter. Formerly the inhabitants of that parish paid some £80 a year in school fees; last year they obtained their schooling free, aud also an additional Government Grant of £164. Here is a tangible benefit conferred by the present Government, which, multiplied by every parish, means a good deal. We could give Mr Rowlands much useful information on this matter if space allowed, but dealing merely with the question of education, Wales is now, thanks to Conservatives, in a better position than any other part of the United Kingdom. Mr Rowlands will of course claim credit to Welsh members for the Inter- mediate Education Act, but he will hardly expect us to believe that these gentlemen, important as they are, could have forced on such a Bill, unless the Government, possessed of an overwhelming majority, had been in accord with its principles. Mr Rowlands will find that his constituents are far more enlightened and less credulous than he imagines.

I THE FANCY DRESS ,-BALL AT…

UNIONIST DEPUTATION TO SIR…