The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-03-29

was parliament Of the English pale, q
parliament in which sat only such OF
the conquerOrs as had become residents
or such Of tbe natives as had succumbed
| to the relentless proselytism Of the
conquerors, but nevertheless it was in
ireland and the people could hope that
some day it would be opened to them.
But the fear that this might happen
caused the conquerOrs to rob them of
even this phantom of rights. 1t was
taken away from them by the repeal
and act of union 80 years ago. an act
characterized by Gladstone as one of
the blackest and most treacherous acts
in the history of nations. However
through the miserable plivations
brought upon the Irish people bv these
conquerors of both England and Ire
land there shines forth the constancy
with with which the majority of the
Irish people have clung to the religion
of st. Patrick, taught them 1900 years
ago.
Isolated instances there are to be
sure of failure to stand firm against the
persuasion aud force of the conquerOrs,
but they are happily few. We should
not fail to give ccedit to many brave
men Of all natlonalitles who have
throughout the trials and trlbulatlons
of centuries preserved the faith Of the
fathers, but these struggles Of the
Irish nation nave been for both life
and faith.
Since these Norman English set foot
upon her shores she has seen that her
sons and daughters could, gain prefer
naent in all lands but her own for their
qualities of mind and heart. She
hopes and petitions now as ever that
Irishmen In their own land may have
recognition for those qualities which
bring them glory throughout the world.
When that time comes she will forget
her wrongs, she will forget the past
aud Join hands with the regenerated
Engllshmen of the future. The perse-
cutions which she has borne haye been
bitter and relentless, but the religion
taught by st. Patrick teaches her chill
dren to forgive their enemies, and upon
each recurring 18th of March they re-
call with loving fondness the memory
of him who brought the truths Of
Christianity to their Emerald Isle.
Dan w. Lawler. Esq, whose name is
household word with the Irish-Amer-
leans of Minnesota. was not IN the
background when wanted on the plat.
form March II. Ever ready and will.
ing to lend a helping hand to Ireland's
cause. he was likewise there when in
yited to speak on that occasion in aid Of
St. Patrick's church. St. Paul. Long
before the doors of ST. Patrick's hall
corner Case and Mississippi streets, was
open large crowd had gathered and
was clamoring for admission. Before
the speaker began his address every
seat in the immense hall was filed
| The address, which is given here in tu]l
was a masterpiece of oratory and vel
worth preserving for future perusal.
! The speaker on commencing alluded
to the religious character of the da,
and said that it had witnessed spec.
tacle unique in history. In all tht
quarters of the globe, wherever the foo
of civilized man had trod, the children
4 Of Erin scattered to the four winds o
heaven by violence and wrong, separa
ted from the old land by distance ant
by time, gathered at the altar and a
the family circle to renew. their allie
glance to the faith which Patricl
brought their fathers. In the grea
cities OF Australia, in the centers O
wealth and population of England
amid the SHOWS Of the Canadas, beneath
the sun OF South America, forty million
of the sea divided Gael with reverent
grateful hearts salute the flag of greer
and pledge anew their fidelity to th'
faith Of Patrick. He alluded to til,
great historical fact that Ireland aloD'
of all the nations received the religion
of Christ. without shedding the bloot
4 of the messenger who bore the divin,
tidings. She received the faith un
stained by blood. She preserved i
through fourteen centuries and wateret
it with the blood OF her martyrs. Blu
the day is not only religious festival
We have assem- bled here tonight tt
breathe PRAYER to the memory and Il
drop tear on the grave Of every one O
the countless host of martyrs. WHIT
] through eight centuries Of darkness
and oppression have laid down Their
lives in prison pen, on scaHold and OF
battlefield, for the sacred cause OF Irist
nationality. 1t is right that on thi.
day we recall the glories OF the past
and review again the historic associa-
tions that cling to this anniversary
But even the past with its wealth ofsad
land sweet recoll Elections is not our fond
est theme to night. We are in The
living present; bright with hope and
;x,<. ~ e, ff fl,o <.,,,. 4.