The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-08-25

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(Cheers). acknowledge myself, at the
same time, to be a disciple of O'Connell
as regards the two great fundamental
principles on which his distinctive
policy was based igreat cheering). [
believe, accordingly. that constitutional
agitation--such as it prevails at this
moment in Ireland--is capable Of effect
| ing the regeneration Of our country;
and believe, moreover, that they who
commit crimes, under any pretext what
ever, while the present agitation is be-
ing carried On, apart altogether from
their moral culpabllity, are the deadli-
est and most dangerous enemies of our
cause. (Cheers). He who commits a
crime, gives strength. to the enemy.
1t cannot, I should think, do any harm.
and possibly may do some good, were I
to say word or two on each of tho I'M
rortant points or principles to which l
have just referred. The present leaders
of the Irish people, and all who act OR
think with them on Irish affairs, are
commonly called Separatists by most Of
the great organs of public opinion in
England, and by some lesser lights in
this country also, in contradistinction
to chose who 60 by the name Of Union
ists--that is. persons who affect to be-
lieve that the total separation of Great
Britain and Ireland is aimed at by Irish
agitators, aud that the so-called Union
between the two countries is, therefore,
in some danger Of being dissolved. In-
deed, I have rarely met any prominent
English gentleman at all interested In
Irish politics who, in course OF ccnver
sation did not closely question me on
this sore point; and am sorry to say
that, with all my solemn assurances to
the contrary, have not been fortunate
enough in every instance to convince
such persons that we, Irish National
lists, have no desire to drift wholly away
from England, and that all we really
look for and are determined in getting
is, the right of making our own laws,
aud of regulating Our own affairs after
the manner Of the ether chief de-
pendencIes Of Great Britain. (Hear,
hear). Speaking Individually for !ay-
self, and I think am but voicing, in 80
far, the settled opinion Of ninety-nine
per cent Of the Irish people, L have no
hesitation whatever in saying, now es.
pecially when We have so many staunch
and influential Scotch and English
friends at our back, headed by the
greatest British statesman Of this cen
tury enthusiastic cheering), Mr.. Glad-
stone (cheers for Mr.. Gladstone), and
when the people OF England are gener-
ally showing SUCH unmistakable fciend-
ship for us, have no hesitation in say
ing that if we had guaranteed to use
the full measure of national autonomy
to which We are plainly entitled, [
should far prefer British projections to
that of any other nation in the world.
1t would, in my opinion, best secure FOR
us an orderly existence, while safe
guarding us, besides, as far as possible
from those wild and latitudinarian
views in Church and State that ara so
widespread, and have proved to be SO
destructive in Continental countries.
(Applause)
At the conclusion of his Grace's ad-
dress large sum was subscribed, the
Archbishop of Cashel heading the list
with donation of EGO.
In the evening the banquet was held
in the Convent School which adjoins
the new building.