I
In stating a little while ago the Irish definition of freedom, I said
that it would be well worth while to examine that definition in its
breadth and depth, in its connotations as well as in its denotations,
contenting myself for the moment with making clear its essential idea of
Independence, Separation, a distinct and unfettered national existence.
And I said that I proposed to do this in a sequel. Such a sequel is
necessary, for, while the statement that national freedom means a
distinct and unfettered national existence is a true and complete
statement of the nature of national freedom, it is not a sufficient
revelation of the minds that have developed the conception of freedom
among us Irish, not sufficiently quick with their thought nor
sufficiently passionate with their desire. Freedom is so splendid a
thing that one cannot worthily state it in the terms of a definition;
one has to write it in some flaming symbol or to sing it in music
riotous with the uproar of heaven. A Danton and a Mitchel can speak more
adequately of freedom than a Voltaire and a Burke, for they have drunk
more deeply of that wine with which God inebriates the votaries of
vision. But even the sublimest things, the Trinity and the Incarnation,
can be stated in terms of philosophy, and it is needful to do this now
and then, though such a statement in no wise affects the spiritual fact
which one either feels or does not feel. So, it is sometimes necessary
to state what nationality is, what freedom, though one’s statement may
not reveal the awful beauty of his nation’s soul to a single man or move
a single village to put up its barricade.
The purpose, then, of such statements? At least they define the truth,
and enable men to see who holds the truth and who hugs the falsehood.
For there is an absolute truth in such matters, and the truth is
ascertainable. The truth is old, and it has been handed down to us by
our fathers. It is not a new thing, devised to meet the exigencies of a
situation. That is the definition of an expedient.
Now, the truth as to what a nation’s nationality is, what a nation’s
freedom, is not to be found in the statute-book of the nation’s enemy.
It is to be found in the books of the nation’s fathers.