Courtesy and tact have never been notoriously characteristic of either house of our National Legislature, their place being, unhappily, often filled by meddlesome blundering. The climax, however, is reached by the Mason bill, fortunately not yet passed, by which it is proposed that we should establish both diplomatic and consular relations with the Irish Republic.

Aside from the purely domestic application of our Constitution, which vests diplomacy with the Executive, Department, and not with the Legislative, have the supporters of this measure seriously considered what they are doing? The passage of such a bill would be a gratuitous insult to Great Britain. If that country did not choose to regard it as a "causes belie," it would be only from a proper sense of humor, and not from any fear of overstepping the bounds of legality. The establishment of diplomatic relations is the clearest method of recognition, and recognition under such circumstances as these would unquestionably constitute a cause of war, if the parent state chose to regard it in that light.

The Irish cause has always commanded sympathy in this country, and not without reason. But there is no need for our representatives to allow their emotions, either sympathetic or political, to lead them to such extremes as this. From the practical standpoint, the Mason bill would be of no advantage either to this country or to Ireland. The cause of Irish freedom, with which so many of us sympathize, would suffer more harm than good from the presence of American diplomatic and consular officials. If the gentlemen in Washington desire to help the Irish, we strongly recommend them to think a second time. If, however, they merely wish to enjoy a little harmless fun by twisting our international relations into an even worse tangle than the present, and to bring on a possible war with Great Britain, they need not search far for better means than this.