The Irish standard., 1888-03-17


in the murder OF an archbishop and in
various other crimes, and his own sons
rebelled against him. The contact
with such a gang Of ruffians as were
the English invaders Rust haye had an
evil effect on the Irish character. Not
withstanding, however, the superiority
of the Normans in military tactics and
warlike appliances, such was the force
and attractiveness of Irish nationality
that it absorbed into itself these free
hooters, and they became "Hibernices
ipsis Hiberniores,' as the Norsemen
before them. But, in the process, Irish
nationality received many dangerous
wounds, from which it took long to re-
cover. Then came worse foe to our
nationality, viz: the Protestant revolu-
tion, from which proceeded all other
European revolutions. The corrupt
state of the British nation, both clergy
and laity, was the real cause of this rev.
olution-not merely the vices Of an
eight Harry. The distinct spirit OF
Irish nationality, under Providence,
preserved Ireland's faith. Buta great
portion Of Ulster became under a profit
gate pedant, James, practically part
of Britain. 1t lost it's language, its re-
ligion and, to great extent, its moral
ity; for we all know that the morals Of
Antrim and N orth Down are not en- a
level with those of Galway or Upper
ary.
Still, the most of the Irish people
stuck to their faith, their language, and
their distinctive ideas. They retained
the virtues OF purity, disinterestedness
and love of Justice, and Irish national
ity began to regain the portion Of
Ulster of which she had been deprived.
The penal laws had no permanent ef-
feet on Irish nationality. The native
language was banned, native poetry
and music discouraged, but the people
still clung to them, and up to the end
Of the last century Irish was spoken all
over Ireland except in Dublin. Fingal
and portions of Ulster and Wexford.
Then came another severe blow. equally
severe with that of the break up of the
clan system of 1641, viz: the SO. o.called
Union. From the Union dates che de-
cline of Irish nationality as far as our
native language was concerned Every
other people but the Irish identified it's
nationality with it's language. Each
considers it's native language not only
the surest and most distinctive mark of
its nationality, but the one inseparable
from the other. But since 1900 the Irish
seem to have forgotten this truth, and
in all their struggle for faith and father
land they have neglected the essential
condition of preserving their national
speech-the speech in which are en-
shrined their distinctive ideas, their
traditions and their legends. The next
and greatest blow to Irish nationality
came from the establishment of the
misnamed ''National" system of edu-
cation, blow which would have been
mortal were it not for the efforts of the
clergy, but which inflicted a great
would. But my letter has run at such
length that must beg the favor of
space in your next issue to conclude
my review of the causes which have
combined to place at the present mo-
ment our nationality in deadly peril. (
shall likewise suggest some remedies
for the cure of the wounds inflicted. I
wish, in concluding this hasty sketch of
former assaults on our people, to reiter-
ate my conviction that, unless prompt
remedies be adopted, it may soon be too
late, and beseech my iellow-country
men to rouse themselves from the
apathy into which they have fallen.
There is something more precious far
than having enough to eat and drink,
good clothes aud m onev in ones pocket
both for the nation and the individual.
If we are Christians at all we must be
aware of this; but for Catholics. and
especially for Catholic Irishmen, the
practical disregard OF this truth must
eventuate in misery and unhappiness.
in the Dublin Nation.
The Fr ench Chamber of Deputies, by
a vote of 264 to 22S, abolished the priv
ilege of wine-growevs to distill spirits
for their personal use free.
Do not marry for riches, my son; but
remember that the husband of an heir
ess is seldom obliged to get up 5
O'Clock in the morning and build the
fire.
st. Patrick's Day will be dttingly
commorated in St. Patrick's church
Dubuque, Iowa, by High Mass at 1880
o'clock. and sermon by the eloquent
pastor of St. Raphael's Cathedral, Rev.
Father Burke. In the evening under
the auspices of the Third Order of
franciscan ladies', a concert by the
church choir. and a short address by
the Rev. Professor Barry, Of st. Joseph's
College, admission to which will be
FOR tnrOcapf1s Ia po for the Dur-