The morning news., 1889-04-12
IRELAND AS 1T IS.
Rev. George W. Peppers Lecture at
Catholic Library Hall.

Rev. George w. Peppers Lecture at
Catholic Library Hall.
Rev. DR.. George W. Peppers lecture at
Catholic Library Hall last night on "The
Ireland of Today was brilliant effort.
The hall was prettily decorated with flags,
including the flag Of Ireland. Pictures of
Parnell and Gladstone were suspended on
either side of the stage Upon the
platform sat Rev. P. II. Mcmahon, Rev. j.
w Rogan Mayor Schwarz, Senator du-
Bignon, Congressman r. E. Lester. p. J.
O'Connor, Esq, Rev. Father Quinlan, Rev. T.
IL BAsnus. Col. Jonn Screven, Alderman
w. f. Reid, Capt NJ. J. Doyle, Hon. Will
lam Clifton, Chief Of Police Green, Col.
Peter Reilly, Capt, John FIannery, DR.. r.
J. Num-, Postmaster q. W. Lamar, Col G..
Kehoe, Thomas F. Pepper and 7. II. O'Don-
ovan.
MIR. P. j. O'Connor, Esq, in few well
chosen remarks, introduced Rev. P. II.
Mcmahon, and he in turn introduced the
lecturer.
The lecture was an admirable effort, in
which Dr. Pepper discussed ireland as it is
and as it should be. He touched briefly on
the Protestant and Catholic elements, and
quoted from various writers as showing
how Irishmen of both denominations, by
their utterauces, had indicated their interest
in home rule. He spoke Of the present con-
dition of Ireland as greatly the fault of
the land owners, who spend most of their
time and money in London instead of on
their estates. The very dogs of Ireland,
said the speaker, hate the landlords He
made touching reference to the famine in
Ireland in 1S49 when $500, 900 of people
either died or were compelled to emigrate,
and when $4,000 Irish women were buried
without shrouds or coffins. But for the
generosity of great tnation-America-Ir
land would have perished by starvation.
DR.. Pepper spoke of Mr.. Parnell's plat
form, which in effect is that those who cul-
tivate the land should own it; the land for
the landless and home for the homeless,
and that Irishmen should govern Ireland in
their internal affairs. Thespeaker rebutted
at some length the objection that Ireland is
too small to be a separate nation, and he
cited the case of ancient Greece,
a country Of not more than 14,000
square miles. He answ cred most satisfac-
torily the argument advanced by some that
Irishmen are incapable of self-govern-
ment by showing that the foundation of all
good government is a love of liberty and
that this is strong Characteristic of the
Irish race. He discussed the objection
that the freedom of Ireland would be the
domination of the Roman Catholic church
of all Protestants, by citing
the condition of things in France and Bel
gium. where nine-tenths Of the people are
Roman Catholics and the Protestants have
not suffered in consequence. Mr.. Glad
stone and Mr. Parnell were lauded for their
devotion, and for their ability in carrying
on the work Of freedom so far and 50 sue
cessfully for Ireland.
DIR. Pepper predicted that the time will
yet come when Ireland will be a republic
with a government OF her own, aud that
Mr.. Parnell will be the first president. He
also predicted that many in the audience
may yet live to hail the Irish flag on the
Savannah river. In closing he paid a
graceful tribute to Robert Emmett, the
beau-ideal of patriot. He explained the
peculiar loyalty of Irishmen in America
to the land of ireland by say
ing that Ireland is the Irishman's
mother, and Columbia is his wife. 1t may
be laid down as an axiom, he said, that the
man who is false to his mother can never
be loyal to his wife.
DR.. Pepper, who is a methodist preacher,
Is an Interesting speaker, and his lecture
was argumentative, humorous and eloquent.
At times the applause was almost bolster
Gus. Every reference to the grand old
man, Gladstone, and Charles Stewart Par
nell was rapturously hailed.