The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-01-24

scuoOl, anu learning WAS puulsue0 Oy deatn
as An adjunct to treason. Grave yards
were e'nptied of their dead, temples thrown
10 the ground, because these reminded
the people of what Ireland had BEEN
And let no one suppose that these things
were but the outrages Of an unlicensed
soldierv, Fin rude age. They were the
acts Of the government, done pursuance
of laws now to be found snpon the ancient
statute book of Great Britain. For five
hundred years these things continued, and
though men were slaughtered, were exil-
ed though worn.n and children perish
ed by the torch and the sword, the heart
Of the Irish people has never been con-
quered. 1t stands to-day where it stood
centuries ago-deeply devoted to it's own
nationality. and cling'ng fond y to the hope
that a day of deliverance is yet to dawn.
The Irish people have many marked
characteristics. Love Of country is desp.
" rooted principle in their nature. As
each generation succeeds another it is re-
moved so much further from the period
when Irish nationality was an existing fact,
yet as the past recedes, it loses nothing of
its glory ip the eyes of the Irish people,
And when the royal Brier, with the whit
eued locks of four score wears, held up he
fore his countrymen at Clonlarf the Gaz
zliug "sunbursl" which jIlumined the royai
standard, !ioubt whether there were hearts
upon that field cherishing moe love and
affection for Irish nationality than can be
found even after the lapse of centuries in
This far distant city. Wherever the Irish,
man may be. Irish nationality is with him
an abiding thought. No circumstances Of
time, place, or condition can shut out that
vision fthe past and hope for the future
from his mind. There il lives eternalIv,
linking him if no more, at least in fancy
with the heroes, patriots and sages Of the
past, and frightening his existence with
the hope ola glorious future
In this peculiar love Of country is illus
trated another trait OF Irish character, and
that is their constancy With intellects
sharpened by the rude adversite. that
have followed their nation, they are quick
in the discernment of Right from Wrong.
From long experience Of political ty
rany and oppression, they have come forth
with pretty clear and accurate estimate
Of the rights of men, and Of the proper
means to protect and maintain them
And the Irish mind once convinced oi
what is Right, can no more be shaken OF
driven from that conviction by force. fear
: or cruelty than can the eternal hills be
moved by the passing zephyr. If anything
, were needed to confirm this view of theil
character, it is only necessary to refer to
the devotion with which, through all cir
cumstances, they have cIung to their re
ligious faith. Upon that point they are
: immoveabe. They have been assailed il
every imaginable shape and form to in
Auce them TO abandon their faith, but such
assaults have been in vain Persecution
has been tried, but persecution never made
an honest convert. Political honor5 anC
pecuniary profits have been denied to
, those who adhered, and freely offered tt
; those who would abandon the faith of thei
! fathers. but the ostracism has been held t,
S be brighter jswel on the breasts Of il.
r victims than all the honors or pelf tina
, conld follow perversion. Tho sword ha
sough, the life blood of those who woult
not recant, but the dying men have fel
prouaer of such death than life stained
, with denial of their hears conviction
Exceptions there are, and individual case
! may be numerous, but from genera
, knowledge of the people, think i. safe t
e say that, in large majority Of the cases
: Irish converts from their ancient faith, At
ter enjoying whatever Of worldly adv
tage may follow such conversion, if tim,
r be afforded them, turn back at the last hou
, and die reconcied with the Church Who's
. doctrines they learned at the parental fire
+. side.
r The Irish people are entitled to the ere
dit of being devoted to the domestic vir
= tues. [ am speaking Of the people, Ant
. not of the unfortunate creatures who, in
strange land. and in poverty, fall into tn
i vice of iutemperance, and furnish object
At which the thoughtless are forever pein
ting as specimens of the Irish family. Il
h the first place the command so impressive
e v given mid the thunder at Sinai is relig
, iously observed, and children do homo
. their father and mother; and whsreve
e that holy precept is observed, and whe
lHo CHIlu, cfcH iOnR dilci uo hAS kioUu
manhood, remembers his parents, an
e cherishes them With filal pie,y until tn
a Iast moment of their existence, there is ev
idence Of integrity that will inevitabl
4 shine forth in the man and woman wbe
r i, becomes their turn to bear their share {
sthe responsibilities Of citizens, friends au
patriots. Fila, affection, and tilial dut
6 are distinguishing traits in the Irish char
J.. acter and traits that speak volumes in es
r planation of the devotion ~hich th
G Irish people cherish towards the land :
their nativity. Men reared to a religion
sense Of duty and obedience to parents
. authority. are not the men of whom trail
s ors are made.
In all ages, and in ,all climes, the Iris
n have enjoyed undi.putedly. the credit fc
J.. two other virtues-bravery in men, cha
;, tity in women. They are jewels of which
Il if she had no other, old Erin might {
: proud. Brave men, chas,e women Th'
e all the virtues common - humanity al
IS not included in these, yet they includ
e enough to add brilliancy and beatty to an
Is diadem where they may be found. An
n how happily linked. Who so well deserV