National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-18
ST. PATRICK,s DAY.

To the Editor OF THE REPUBLICAN,:
Az an early day we shall have in our midst the
annual movement for a celebration of ST. Patrick's
Day. The recent action of number of Irish
American associations in some half dozen of the
chief cities of the country shows that popular sem
timent and patriotic counsel are against any frit
tering away of the resources of the 18th of March
In idle and vain paradcs and banquets The cxigen-
cies of the struggle of the suffering and oppressed
people Of Ireland call for the utmost exertions on
the part of those of their kindred here in America
who are willing to practically aid in the strug-
go now in progress in that island, and II
win be an outrage If even the smallest item of help
should be lost in the observance of custom which
Is now more honored I'm the breach than In the
observance" Ii this connection beg you to in
vite the attention of thoughtful and patriotic
Irish American citizens to the following whole
some and timely advice of the editor of the New
York Irish american, q gentleman whohas devoted
the last years of his life andhis means to the cause
of FatherlGnd.
THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
The same reason which prevailed dur
Ing the past two years against such system of
celebration are in Just as much in 1892 and WILL
we trust, have even more weight against the silly
arguments which will no doubt be brought up in
the annual conventions" by the petty dcma-
gogues who have for years made these parades
the means Of foisting Themselves into the places
in the gilt OF the trading politicians of all parties
We publish this week the address of the represent
ativcs of the Chicago convention, one of the
most influential bodies of true representative
Irishmen ever assembled anywhere, to their
fellow -countrymen, in which they specially call
attention to the celebration of the 18th of March
this year, and ask that the money heretofore use
lessy spent in such pAgeants shall he given to the
Land League fund, through which Il can be made
available for Ireand's welfare. The Land League
$50 well organized everywhere now TINT we do
not anticipate that any movement looking TO q cell
ebration contrary to the recommendations of Its
representatives will meet with much success
among our people a., and those who are responsible
yenrs can very opportuney take q lesson from
thcir former experience. As the address of the
executive committee very aptly says:
While than four hundred of the first citizens OF
our country-the chosen and intrepid leaders of the
rnceare compelled by the foreign enemy In ireland
gulltless Of crime, denied bail and refused trial
while the tenanry, in stl greater numbers. being
yaunted advantages of alleged benelcent land act
"and sentence OF eviction SAYS the patriot pre-.
10 senteSee DEATH n country where Il yo sre
TO live az ALL you must live by industry the land !"
upon every roof and armed invaders have totally
DESTROYED the liberties ofour kindred the spectacle of
Statos and the revelry Of the banqueting room
would be alike repugnant to propriety, and painful,
not Illuminating to every earnest son of our suffer-
Ing country.
This is sound patriotic advice and should be &C.
Cepted and acted upon by all true 1rishmen on
next st. Patrick's Day. Let us by every means
within our reach strengthen the hands of the men
at home, who in this crisis are fighting the battle
OF our kindred and nationality. And then-when
the victory that in the near future awaits the
good cause shall have been won, as 1t
surely will be-we can have here If we choose
genuine national Jubilee" celebration. such as
will be creditable to us people, and will in its
dignity and appropriateness more than compensate
for the abstention and sacrifice we are now called
upon 10 make ON principle CLAN-NA-GAEI.