The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-11-30

from his native SOIL and compelled to his way to
honest independence in the face of the most CALLING
prejudice and in the land of the stranger Naturally
however man of powerful mind lifes hardships had
in his case only polished the marble and sharpened the
STEEL He had been compelled to think for himself "a
very unusual process sorry to say at all times and
seasons-and the few words he uttered on the occasion
referred to- laid before his countrymen the result of his
deliberations.
"Why" he asked, &c does Ireland continue to be a
slave? A land of rags, of hunger, of beggary and
chains An astonishment and reproach over all
nations l." he answered q will tell you. tits because
Irishmen have not been true to their country They
have been true to other things, but not to Ireland
From Henry H. to Henry VII England never fought
the Irish nation. There was no Irish nation There
were provinces and clans. England who can
blame her Fought them against each other and finally
destroyed them ALL You will tell all that is past,
and that it is quite different Say you SO! With
all respect-but with the frmest conviction OF its truth
I assert the contrary There is at this hour no real
national feeling in the people of Ireland 1t is their
churches and creeds they in earnest about IS Tor
them they ready to struggle and suffer and debut
not for their country. Is it the Orange establishment
About it's adherents I need ask questions. Their
idol is Protestant ascendency. For that they have
sacrificed their country than once, and ready
to do it over and over again. They glory in doing so
glory in their shame. Or, point you to the Presby
terians of the North? They are far more in earnest
about Regum Donums and Confessions of Faith, than
about liberty Ireland. Or, is it the great Catholic
community the old Irish race? Why, the doctrine in
sted into them from first to last from the cradle to the
grave is, that their first duty to God-that is, to their
Church-and their second to their country Ireland,
thus, is secondary affair to the people of Ireland Such
people not national and people who do not put
nationality first and foremost, never will be Free No
people earth who do not regard their countys free
dom as dearer than life deserve to be free"
The storm of dissatisfaction had been Enthusiastically
mutterng throughout the audience during the above
short address But, when the climax reached, it
burst into unconceaed tempest of angry disapproba
tion and the speaker was silenced He had told the
TRUTH and the truth stung too bitterly to be endured
All who tell the truth sure to be crucifed.
It is mistake serious and too often fatal mistake
to put religion and country into competition with each
other They occupy totally different Spheres and each
should reign supreme in its own allotted dominion.
Religion is thing of the SOUL of conscience, of God
and eternity. IF man is convinced it is his duty,
according to whatever form of faith is most satisfactory
to his own mind to regulate, by the high sanctions of
religion his thoughts and words and actions so to
qualify himself for that existence to which he
looks forward and which lies beyond the boundaries of
this world
But man mast lie before he can become religious
He must have land He must pillow and till and sow
and reap. He must gather in the fruits of the earth
He must provide bread for himself and for those who
dependent on his exertions And if the savage beasts
of the forest come those dangerous desroyer
evil and unprinciped men, he must take arms in his
hands and drive them away. He must league himself