The Irish standard., 1893-07-15
HENRY GRATTAN.

HENRY GRATTAN.
| The Patriot Who Won Legislative Indepen-
dence for Ireland in 1882.
In the history OF every people, says the
Catholic School and Home Nayaz,ut
there are names that shine out brilliant
" because their lives mark epocbs in tie
national life, and this is particularly true
OF men whose ambition has been to bring
to their nationality some Of the benefits
OF freedom. Among Irishmen the name
of Grattan excites thrill OF enth usiasm
and patriotic love, for his life Was de-
voted to the liberties Of the people. To
him was given the great privilege of hav-
ing been the instrument by which a
brief period of independence was enjoyed
by Ireland. AS Moore expresses it:
THAT one lucid interval snatch'd from the
And the madness of ages, when fl led with his
soul,
nation o'erleap'd the dark bounds OF her
Aud for one sacred instant touch liberty's
goal.' .... ..a
The allusion is to the Irish Parliament
in Dublin when from 1882 until 1900 Ire
land had a certain form of Home Rule.
This was called the Grattan Parliament
and it is with this that comparison is
frequently made in the struggle now 60
ing on for the legislative independence
of Ireland. Henry Grattan was Prot.
estant, born in Dublin, Ireland, July 8,
1746. After few years at school, he en-
tered Trinity College in 1868 and four
years later went to London, and in 1772
was admitted to the Bar and in 1775 was
elected to the Irish Parliament. Events
were transpiring in America which gave
encouragement and certain measure Of
success to Grattan's political ideas, for by
the independence Of the American col
onies, England was so disturbed that she
feared that the Ireland Volunteer Move
ment would lead to the same results for
Ireland. When, therefore, Grattan drew
up the Bill Of Rights, he was able by the
force of circumstances to wiring from the
Imperial Parliament charter Of Liberty
by which Ireland was accorded the right
to govern herself. But this government
was limited to class while the great ma
jority OF the people had no political rights
whatever. The Parliament was COM
posed exclusively of Professionals and no
Catholic could hold any public Office.
The Parliament had many famous men
whose eloquence and craftsmanship have
won for them places as leaders among
the very noblest and best. Among them
were Curran, Plunkett, Flood and
Charlemont Grattan was leader of
such mon and his eloquence won many of
the signal victories which characterized
his career.
Moore asks:
.'Who, that ever hath heard him-hath drunk
at the source
OF that wonderful eloquence, all Erin's own,
In whose high thoughted daring, the fire and
the force
And the yet untamed spring Of her spirit was
shown
Grattan was always friend to the
Catholics for he recognized that liberty
which did not come to all was not worthy
Of the name. It was largely due to his
efforts that Catholic Relief Bill was
passed which admitted Catholics to the
Magistracy and the Bar, legalizing Cath
olic churches and admitting Catholics to
certain offices. Grattan made bitter
fight against the Union by which Ireland
lost her Parliament in 1900, through the
most shameful bribery and corruption
ever recorded. The closing words Of his
speech against Union are memorable:
Yet I do no give up my country. Isee
her in q swoon, but she is not dead.
Though IN her tomb she lies helpless and
motionless, still there is on her lips 9
spirit ofs life and on her cheeks . glow Of
beauty. g will remain anchored here
with fidelity to the fortunes Of my coun-
Try, faithful to her freedom, faithful g
her fall. Liberty was outraged, the
peoples 1ight wer@ sold for gold and Of
hce, but the Poop hoped md Y a PRAYED & g