FROM THE ARCHIVES:St Patrick's Day in 1947 was subdued (see yesterday's "From the Archives"). In a radio address to America, also broadcast at home, Taoiseach Eamon de Valera focused on partition. –
‘WE HERE who have been fortunate enough to have lived through this inspiring period are endeavouring to-day so to lay the foundations that on them the Irish nation may be rebuilt in a manner worthy of the devotion given to it, and the sacrifices made for it, throughout the long period of its sorrow.
“As I read President Truman’s message to Congress a few days ago I could not help thinking how truly democratic these foundations are. We have chose [sic] unmistakably the democratic way of life ‘based upon the will of the majority,’ and our entire state organisation bears visibly upon it the characteristic marks of democracy indicated by the President
“But the foundations are not yet as they should be. There is still one vital defect, and it places in jeopardy all that has hitherto been gained. The essential unity of our nation does not exist. Our national integrity has been destroyed by the unnatural partition of our country, enacted and enforced by cœrcion from outside.
“Last year I spoke to you again of this wrong and asked for your earnest support towards bringing it to an end. Partition of the United States was rejected by Abraham Lincoln in his time. He fought one of the bitterest civil wars in history to prevent it. Partition of India and partition of Palestine are rejected to-day. Every argument against Partition in these cases and others that we know of applies with even greater force in the case of Ireland.
“Ireland has been one since the dawn of history, with a boundary unmistakably determined by the ocean. Only a vandal hand would have dared to mutilate it. The part cut off contains the places most hallowed by the events of our history, the places dearest above all others to our people. The inhabitants were not consulted and gave no consent before they were severed from the main body of the nation. A local plebiscite even now would show that in one-half the area cut off the majority desired to be united with the rest of the nation. Of the six separated counties, four taken as a group have a majority of their inhabitants in favour of union with the rest of the country. The area cut off is in itself neither a historic, a racial, a political nor an economic entity, and is maintained as an artificial political unit solely by the pressure of an outside Power.
“It must be obvious that as long as this unnatural and unjust situation exists, any genuine cordiality of feeling between the peoples of Ireland and Britain is impossible, and that the efforts of men of good will who labour to foster such a cordiality are doomed to frustration.
“Were the old conflict ended, they might, in freedom, become each a source of strength and a support to the other. This is obvious, but while partition lasts all such ideas must remain a hopeless dream.”
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