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Imaginations and Reveries by George William Russell
page 113 of 254 (44%)
then desire as much as Nationalists that, while they live in a self-
governing Ireland, the powers of the Irish government should be
such as would enable it to build up Irish industries by an Irish
trade policy, and to impose taxation in a way to suit Irish conditions.
As the object of British consent to Irish self-government is to
dispose of Irish antagonism nothing is to be gained by passing
measures which will not dispose of it. The practically unanimous
claim of Nationalists as exhibited in the press in Ireland is for
the status and power of economic control possessed by the self-
governing dominions. By this alone will the causes of friction
between the two nations be removed, and a real solidarity of
interest based on a federal union for joint defense of the freedom
and well-being of the federated communities be possible and I have
no doubt it would take place. I do not believe that hatreds remain
for long among people when the causes which created them are removed.
We have seen in Europe and in the dominions the continual reversals
of feeling which have taken place when a sore has been removed.
Antagonisms are replaced by alliances. It is mercifully true of
human nature that it prefers to exercise goodwill to hatred when
it can, and the common sense of the best in Ireland would operate
once there was no longer interference in our internal affairs, to
allay and keep in order these turbulent elements which exist in
every country, but which only become a danger to society when real
grievances based on the violation of true principles of government
are present.

16. The Union has failed absolutely to conciliate Ireland. Every
generation there have been rebellions and shootings and agitations
of a vehement and exhausting character carried continually to the
point of lawlessness before Irish grievances could be redressed.
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