Sir,

In his recent speech at Aberdeen, Mr Asquith vehemently rejected any comparisons between the current state of Ireland and its condition when “honeycombed with secret societies” and rampant violence. While I concur that the present movement has yet to reach the levels of historical turmoil, recent incidents, such as the shooting of Mrs. White in Galway and the horrifying roasting of Mr Dove’s 13 horses in Westmeath on December 1, suggest that the spirit of unrest persists.

It is essential to acknowledge that, unlike the past, the current movement has not been marred by widespread violence, and cases of cattle mutilation remain relatively rare. However, the cheers and mockery that accompanied the shooting in Galway and the gruesome incident in Westmeath demonstrate that the underlying spirit of the League remains unchanged from the days of Mr Parnell.

While murders might not be as frequent, the unwritten law seems to persist, and its vindication takes on different, albeit equally alarming, forms. A case in point is the trial held in Limerick this month. Men were accused of firing into a dwelling-house near Athea a few weeks ago. Under the Whiteboy Acts, it is necessary to prove that the district in which the alleged crime occurred is disturbed. The district inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary attested that, during his twenty-two months in Athea, numerous outrages, including nocturnal attacks on dwelling-houses, had been committed—an average of over one outrage every fortnight.

The concerning part is not just the incidents themselves but the question of how many of these outrages go unnoticed in the wider public discourse. How many are known to Mr Asquith or his colleague, Mr Birrell? And how many similar acts have occurred throughout Ireland without catching the attention of those in power?

The methodical and consistent imposition of punishments ensures the supremacy of the unwritten law over the “ordinary law.” Unlike murderers, those who carry out these acts of violence don’t face much legal impediment. It is the certainty of punishment, rather than its severity, that is impactful. If the perpetrators of the initial offences had faced only a month of imprisonment each, it is likely that the subsequent crimes might have been deterred. The League comprehends this principle and acts upon it, while our enlightened statesmen either fail to understand it or choose to ignore it.

In conclusion, the current state of affairs in Ireland demands a closer examination of the methods and motivations driving the unwritten law. It is imperative that we recognize and address the roots of these disturbances rather than dismissing them outright.

Yours obediently,

[Anonymous Contributor]

Evening Mail – Monday 23 December 1907