M. J. Shagan -- Third Negative

The establishment of an independent Ireland is the alternative the negative proposes as against dominion rule. English rule in Ireland has always been destructive of the things which Americans fought for in the Revolution, namely, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The objection to a Federated Republic is that Ireland is not economically able to support establishments necessary for such a government. But why would Ireland need an army or a navy? It certainly is not to the interest of England to allow a hostile power in Ireland. And if she did need these weapons, it is fallacious to say that she could not support them. It is only British domination that has kept down Irish economic prosperity. Ireland has been kept stagnant economically because England feared her rivalry. History shows that when England's hand has been removed Ireland has prospered, as under the Grattan Parliament in the 19th century.

Negative Rebuttal

Irish welfare has always been sacrificed to British interests. The parallel drawn by the affirmative between Ireland and Canada is fallacious because of two things: first, the aspirations of the Irish are for independence which Canadians never desired; second, Irish and British interests conflict in a way in which the Dominion's interests never have. There is no guarantee that the veto power under dominion government would not operate with just as complete oppression as at present obtains.

Affirmative Rebuttal

The proposal of the negative that Ireland be given independence would not work because of the lack of a capacity for government in the Irish people. A republic would not give Ireland economic prosperity, stability, nor protection. What Ireland desires is not relevant to the argument; her best interests are what the case is concerned with. The arguments of the negative fall because their alternative proposal is impossible