The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-07-06

to starve. That time will come. may net
live to see it because have climed the hill and
am looking down, but there are some within
the sound Of voice who will see the green flag
hyingtover Dublin Castle, the emblem OF the
free. Applause. Like Mr.. McLeary, |
would wish to see the Irish settle among US,
and yet we can not but admire their attach
ment to their native land. They stand ike
one mourning the lost, who mourn their hopes
yet lnger in sadness by the side Of the graves
of the dead. While, we open our doors to the
Irish and welcome them among US, we cannot
but admire the deep patriotism that burns in
the manly heart Of the Irishman.
1t is trait in the Irishman's character that
he clings closer in misfortune. 1t is not in
prosperity that you look for the exhibition Of
his friendship, but when the heart is sad and
oppressed and fortune frowns, it is then the
lrishmen friendship is nobly shown, and he
will spend the last nickle to help friend. The
Irishman may be quick and impulsive, giving
blow as soon as word, but the same hand
that strikes the blow is that which pours balm
on the wound and he is ready to forgive and
be forgiven. 1t is these traits that make him
such good citizen. did not wish to deliver
a speech, l simply wanted to show that was
with you, and that l appreciated the Irish
race: [Applause:]
The president then said that Major Dryer
asked to be excused speaking, but in his
stead his son, Mr.. Edward Dryer, would de-
liver recitation entitled, "Shamus O. Brien."
Mr.. Edward Dryer, who has received gold
medal for oratory, advance and delivered
with good elocutionary effect that fine Irish
poem.
ALDERMAN COPELAND.
who was next called upon by the president.
said "On an occasion like this, ladies and
gentlemen, we should consider the history of
our country and of nations to know and APP
pr ,ciate the meaning of independence day
the true meaning OF liberty and the unlimited
results and benefits which followed the estab
lishment of liberty in its broadcast sense. We
look back to magma charta, and to the bill Of
rights, but it was not until the declaration of
the independence was made that true liberty
established. To their credit be it said, the
Irish played an important part in that struggle
and died, handing down to posterity perfect
liberty. Compare what they have done to
what they have to do. The declaration
of the independence was the first step in
the progress of liberty, and the league
are now taking the second step that will bene
fit the whole world. People had blamed him
as an Englishman for being connected with the
organization, but he thought that there were
good reasons why Englishmen should support
the league. When in England he was array
ed among those men who were struggling for
republican form of government, not satisfied
with the acts of 1892 and IS4S They wanted
redistribution of seats similar to that we had
in this country. They were not content tina,
little rotten borough under the influence of
Low lcho 70
while other places with 20 600 people had only
the other under the people. The league has
no more sincere member that an EngllShman
may be. Every fair-minded man is opposed
to monarchy, to keep the few in luxurious in
dolence. and as am fair minded man | ar.
opposed to it. | want to live and let live; to
see guaranteed political rights to every man.
and do not want to see the means taken from
the many to support the few. For that reason,
l am a member of your Land League.
The same struggle is going on in England for
a change in the land system View the history
of the land system and you will find it a sys-
tenn of robbery-the land being taken from
the people-estates have grown mysterously.
and they never get smaller; and SO we sec
that landlords. as in Ireland. have the power
to unduly influence the legislature. The col
onizaton system Of our friend Mr.. McLeary
impressed me, but cannot agree with it, and
would say stay and fight it out. The same
land system is being adopted here as in Ire
land, and if it continues for a few centuries
the system of our land holdings here will be
equally bad am in favor of every foot OF
land being invested in the government, open
to those who will settle upon it and till it,
That is what the land league is fighting for
We have too long suffered from a system
that..has robbed the many to keep the few in
ideness and luxury. And what does it mean
Why, we sustain a power that controls the
government, and that instead of having pleu-
ty, men are deprived of subsistence. l there
fore say the land league has noble aim, and
it has my cordial support.
J.P. NEWCoMB.
In response to the presidents call, said
am the last man on the list Ia voice but
not least"), and when l saw the big guns
placed in position before me concluded that
should not be called upon to. say much, and
expect ought now to give you benediction
and let you 60. But like all Americans on
the fourth Of July, there is little of the spread
eagle in me, and like to talk of the great
people we are. Speeches on the cause of Ire
land have been fifty introduced, and it is nat
ural that we in the enjoyment of liberty and
prosperity should turn our eyes and think Of
the oppressed. and of all people under the
sun who deserve to be thought of to-day, that
OF Ireland excites our consideration. After
the exhaustive remarks of our president, there
is little to be said. | cannot claim to be an
Irishman, but have enough of the Irishman
in me to sympathize with the oppressed. |