The Irish standard., 1888-06-09
Is IRELAND RESPONSIBILITY

rs IRELAND RESPONSIBILITY
The following essay on ireland was
delivered by Miss Alice j. Tierney, of
Pennington, Mimi, on May Is, on the
occasion Of her graduation from the
State Normal School at Winona. The
IRISH STANDARD is indebted to Presi-
dent Irwin Shepard, of the Normal
School, for inducing Miss Tierney to
forward her manuscript, and we will
say by way of introduction that the
composition is creditable to the young
lady and the institution that trained
her:
In reviewing the histories of the diff
ferent nations, there is perhaps no
country whose story reveals to us SO
bitter tale as that of Ireland. Every
event in her past and even in her pres
ent is peculiarly adapted to excite SYM
pathy for the oppressed and Indignation
toward the oppressors. When we think
what Ireland might have been and
what she is we are filed With feeling
Of remorse and cannot understand why
it is that SO great an injustice should
be permitted.
How can we forget the great inlu-
ence that Ireland once exercised over
the whole world Her high literary
standing gave her prominence seldom
attained. at a time when other ma
lions were warning with their neigh
bors, Ireland was concerned in a far
different cause Her people were then
engaged in the highest, noblest and
most glorious work OF man---that Of ed
ucation, and this was no mere outward
show. The excellence of her schools
and monasteries was such that it drew
students from Germany, Great Britain,
Gaul, and in short from nearly the
whole civilized world. The student
here was abundantly favored with
what could scarcely be found else
where-literature of the purest type,
music, religion and morals. Literature
could we'll receive the attention it
merits from the monks, secluded as
they were from the world. 1t is said
of them that they were the illun1ina-
tors, architects, carvers, gilders and
book binders of the time.
But this starry emblem of intelligence
could not shine forever. Its light was
to be dimmed by the cruel warriors Of
the North who made repeated invasions
into Ireland, destroyed the monasteries,
burned all manuscripts and killed the
monks. For three hundred years were
these depredatlons continued by the
Danes. The result can easily be pic
tured. Where institutions Of learning
once stood only burned tracts appeared,
and fields that once were blooming with
wealth and beauty became neglected
wastes. But notwithstanding all these
changes, the Irishman still retained his
music and religion. Even these were
to be snatched from him, if possible.
The constant oppression to which Ire
land has been subjected for SO many
years could but have most lamentable
effect upon Irish history. After the
cessation of hostilit1es with the cruel
barbarians she was subjected for over
six hundred years to constant attacks
from the proud soldiers Of Great Brit
ain, and noticeable at the present time
are these expressions.
Some of the atrocities committed
cause us to shudder with horror. An
allusion to a few of them will remind
us of the indignities which the people
of Ireland have been called upon to suf-
fer. We all remember how in Queen
Elizabeth's reign vast tracts of land
were laid waste by invading armies, and
what was once fertile and populous
country became barren waste only to
be restored for the good of England,
who thus gained possession of the land,
which was all her greedy heart desired.
What cared she how many poor crea-
lures were turned out of doors to die Of
starvation or be killed by reckless
maTauQerS!
Another imposition we recall: The
Cromwellian Act by which a restoration
of land was offered to those who would
abjure their faith and become Protest
ants, and to those who would not &C.
cept the belief of the established church
death or Connaught! Not only were
the faithful driven into the unpro-
ductive western province to die, but
many young women were transported
to serve the English planters in the
West Indies. Children were torn from
their mothers arms, husbands and
wives separated, resisting ones cut
down on the spot, and the Isle was filed
with the wall of grief and despair. 1T
was one universal scene Of distracted