The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1886-01-30
A Brilliant Speech BY Sir I. Esmonde at
the Prosperous Meeting in
Dublin.
The People Thoroughly ited-0onssnt
ing to Nothing but what
is Due.

OF n memorable past, alu w SPEAK LS
men worthy descendants Of those who
Lightweight years ago laid down their
lives in defense of Ireland's rights.
rejoice to see that the chivilrous senti-
ment which inspired your sires in the
days Of yore to court death rather than
to submit to National dishonor is cher
lshed and active amongst you now.
Very different, indeed, is the present
state Of IRELAND compared to her con-
dition in the sad year of SO. She is nc
longer a distracted island, depressing
the majority of her people by penal
laws and grinding them by q system SO
ubiquitous that it well nigh surpasses
human understanding to conceive how
the ma.ignity of man could devise it.
1t is no longer feasible for an English
Minister to goad her defenseless peas
antry into abortive rebellion by atroci-
ties repugnant to the nature of man
kind, to obtain a pretext for destroying
her liberties by. subyerting a constitu-
ton he was pledged to preserved cheers).
Our lot is cast in happier times. We
find ourselves to-day a united people
| say adyisedly united people.
for all true Irishmen are now unani-
nous in defence Of those interests COM
mon TO all. The old hates, the old
prejudices. are gradually passing
away. And the day is near at hand
when a common sense of Nationality
will animate our countrymen, irrespec-
tive OF class or of creed (cheers).
The time is no more in which a treach-
erous Government could provoke lis to
actions our better Judgment would
repel. We have gained .1isdonl from
defeat, and strength from experience,
and our course is directed by an en-
lightened policy that will regain the
independence OF which our ancestors
were deprived (cheersl. We are assem-
bIed to-day to assert by legal methods
the undeniahle right 0] dG'lr native
land: to protest 8 - si aaat 81 al
means against their ubiquitous viola
tion; and peacably but firmly to express
our determination never to cease from
striving till our objects shall be gained
icheers). England owes us q debt OF
reparation for the treatment our indus
tries have received at her hands, and
we should be wanting III our duty to
the Irish industrial classes did we per-
NIT their just claims to remain in abey-
anee. In fine. we stipulate for a legls-
latnre worthy our nation (cheers); with
absolute dominion over all within oul
four seas, with nnfettered capabilities
for dealing with every matter affecting
the well-being of our internal life
lcheers). No social question must De
beyond the control Of its action; no ad-
ministratiye problem must be outside
the sphere Of it's influence. Let Brit.
ain restore us all she has deprived lie
of, or else she must attempt to rule LIE
as she rules the Hindoos(cheers). Thus
we do voice our claim to the rights OF
Ireland. We require their concessions
and viii accept nothing short OF it.
Why should we consent to take less
than our due? Our cause is triumphant
tcheers); our people are flushed with
victory. and 1t is becoming to conquer
ors to dictate their own terms (cheers)
Those who uphold the Legislative
Union were wiser to temper their zeal
with discretion. Their action aroused
feelings in cur hearts it were more ju.
dicious to let slumber undisturbed. We
can fully sympathize with those who
went before us, when, witnessing The
destruction Of what they 30 dearly
prized--the ruin of their fondest hopes
and the humiliation of their most
cherished aspirations-they appealed
In desperation TO the God Of battles
and offered themselves victims upoI
the desecrated altar of the Liberties d
their native land tcheers1. 1t was moi
in hope OF agerting the impending
ruin, nor in expectation Of Withstand
ing the disaster that ensusd--it was te
beaueabh legacy TO postefity saDcti
fed by their sacrifice and ballowed bJ
their fall They have not died IN vair
(eheersl. We receive their trust il
reverence. The duty we inherit W
VOW to fulfil. We pledge ourselves X
Ibe as true to ireland in her hour Of
prosperity as they were faithful to fel
| In her hour of woe lcheers). TO those
who insult our sense of dignity viii
fulsome praise Of our subject condl
ton We reply that by nature we arr
equal to England, and refuse TO be heif
her inferior by law cheers. We assef
that the Union Is a sacriligeous insult
| for which We require reparation, and Il
which we will no longer submit cheersl
We protest that it is an injustice we de
cline to labor under, and an illegal ac1
which must be repealed loud and pro-
| ionged cheers. Thus do We ansWe
them, and We furthermore declafp ina
| our hearts do not belle the courage o
words. The objects ne seek We coun
on obtaining and cur strength will no
j fail rs until they shall be gained. Wh1
/ should we not be hopeful when we lool
| at car present prospects2 If we lool
/ TO things political what conditions d.