FROM THE ARCHIVES:On the fourth day of its public debate on the Treaty, the Dáil was "fagged out", in several senses, according to The Irish Times' Special Correspondent.
DÁIL ÉIREANN adjourned last evening for the Christmas vacation, and will not resume its consideration of the Peace Treaty until January 3rd. The decision came as a surprise to most people, who thought that, in view of the extreme gravity of the issue at stake, a decision would be taken at the earliest possible moment. Mr Michael Collins, however, had other views. In his opinion, an important national advantage might be gained through a long delay, and, despite the efforts of Mr de Valera to prolong the session right through Christmas [...]. Mr Collins’s proposal was carried by a substantial majority.
There is no doubt that Dáil Éireann needs a rest. Members are fagged out with their long ordeal; yesterday evening evidence of growing slackness was particularly noticeable. Sinn Féin should not forget for a moment that the eyes of the world are focused on its Dáil. By the Dáil’s proceedings Ireland is being judged.
Whatever it may be in law, Dáil Éireann is a Parliament in fact, and, however boring some speakers may be, members should not yield to the temptation to smoke. There is no particular vice in smoking; but in National Assemblies it is not done, and yesterday’s spectacle of numerous deputies smoking cigarettes, while one puffed a large pipe, was hardly in keeping with the dignity which should attach to an assembly that is moulding the destinies of a people.
Yesterday’s speeches, with one exception, were mediocre. That exception was the speech of Mr Richard Mulcahy, Chief of Staff of the IRA. He was in favour of the Treaty, and his tone was altogether admirable. Hitherto speakers on both sides of the House have been unsparing in their denunciation of England and all things English. Mr Mulcahy is almost the only member so far who has shown a trace of that generosity of spirit which, thank God, is not yet dead among the Irish race.
I do not like the Treaty very much, he said, but what is the alternative? Because we cannot trust the politicians of England must we take the responsibility of killing-in-self-defence-the Compton-Smiths of England? It was the first admission by Sinn Féin that England produces honourable men. Ireland does not know the Compton-Smiths of England. If she did, there would be less bitterness in the Dáil.
What a contrast between Mr Mulcahy and Mr vowed “by God” that, if war should be renewed, every loyalist in his brigade area would go to the wall! What a difference between this quiet little man and Mr Seán Mac Entee, whose strident voice was raised on the side of chaos! Mr Mulcahy’s speech did more good than all the hours of vague bombast and windy rhetoric which preceded and followed it. Whatever one’s opinion of the IRA’s campaign may be, every fair-minded observer must admit that its Chief of Staff spoke yesterday like a man.
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