The Issue: The Case for Sinn Fein

The Issue is a striking 1918 pamphlet that thrusts the question of Irish freedom into stark relief. Written amid the turmoil of World War I and the mounting momentum of Sinn Fein, it asks each voter to weigh a single, decisive choice: remain under British rule or claim an independent nation. The author dismisses parliamentary debate and incremental reforms, insisting that liberty cannot be negotiated without resolve.

Drawing on the legacies of Parnell, Redmond and other nationalist figures, the tract compares Ireland’s size and resources to those of Holland, Switzerland and Denmark, arguing that no logical barrier should prevent self‑government. It paints a vivid picture of a people tired of “slave mentality” imposed by Westminster, urging listeners to hear the impassioned appeal for a republic before the upcoming election. The language is urgent yet measured, offering a snapshot of the political fervor that would shape Ireland’s path in the decades to come.