The reaction to the first issue of Fourthwrite was en-couraging. There were supporters and detractors of the views expressed and that was welcome. The essence of mature debate is being afforded the time and space to articulate one's point of view and at the same time having the maturity to accept that others have the same inalienable right to disagree in a constructive manner and to set out their own perspective. To blandly cast aside another's considered analysis as being symptomatic of some form of 'pique', as one critic stated, is hardly scientific and probably says more of the troubled commentator who made it.

Throughout this past thirty years all of us at one time or another have provided, through our energy, our ideas and our efforts the fuel which kept the revolutionary fire burning. Like all fires it needs to be replenished constantly with renewed energy and fresh ideas. Without this our fire will suffocate and die. The members of the Republican Writers Group will continue to strive for thorough going debate on the way ahead. As part of a wider debate we offer the pages of Fourthwrite as a forum for anyone who feels s/he has something to offer. Material shall be evaluated solely on its quality and not its content. For this purpose, articles submitted but not carried shall appear on our web page.

One thing we do say though is that we have received a large number of compliments and suggestions from those who insist that for one reason or another they wish to remain anonymous. We shall always respect peoples right to privacy and will not attempt to take unfair advantage of what is said to us in confidence. Nevertheless, the real impact of a platform such as this is when republicans take their convictions into the open arena and speak their mind before the whole world.

There is no point in saying in a few years time that you always felt that something was amiss but that you considered it best to stay silent. Silence can border on complicity and where it prevails it is in that mute corner where the battle is lost. If those who know better remain silent, they are almost as responsible for the outcome as those who effect the situation.