The Irish standard., 1896-01-25
STILL FIGHTING.

Irishmen are fighting each other iii
| this country as vigorously as they are
doing it in the land which they left be
hind them. If the truth must be spoken,
Irishmen do not seem to have the faculty
Of getting together. They point to the
heroes OF the race and they tell us what
splendid fighting they have done. Their
names are emblazoned upon every page
of warli!ze history. In al the countries
of the world they have left magnificent
record behind them. In England and
Spain and France and even in Russia
they have shown their ability to cope
with the world in warlike affairs. Proud
they are; happy in their achievements in
foreign lands; but the sad thought comes
that they are not able to lift finger
TO help themselves. Their orators and
us about Ireiands wrongs and the iniq-
ui,y that has been heaped upon that I'M
happy country, but not one Of them has
proposed scheme, or devised an idea;
by which the land can be benefited. 1t
may be truthfully said that an freshman
can do nothing to help those he left be-
hind him, whether he lives in the United
States or Australia, Canada Or elsewhere.
We have still the fervor of our fore
fathers, and like all other nations, we
know our rights but nothing can we do
to help the land we left Scattered as
Irishmen are in all portions of the globe
lin all the islands OF the sea-making
a nationality in numbers that is appal-
ling in its strength, the greater Ireland
outside of Ireland, is it NOT a sad and
sorry thing that they cannot do some
thing for themselves?
What about the thought that was con-
ceived in the brain of Archbishop Walsh,
of Toronto? Is it not depressing
thought that people in Ireland oppose
the idea? Men over there, thoughtful,
brilliant and well-intentioned, cast re-
Elections upon the movement. They
wrap themselves up in their own conceit
and say they are capable of managing
their own affairs and do not ask nor will
not brock interference from the outside
world. And yet it is the outside word
that has kept the wrongs of Ireland to
the full view of the nations of the earth.
There is, a greater Ireland in the United
States, in Australia, and Canada, and
even in india than there is in the land of
our forefathers, and it is the sons of that
little isle, separated and scattered as
they are, who are the elements Of
strength in keeping up the thought OF ma
tiOnal unity. Let call be extended to
all the children of the little green island
to come to her aid and would not the sons
of that little island flock to the succor of
the land they love so we'll? And yet
while this is true and the land Of the fore
fathers is revered by all, how comes it
Moses not wanted? Which man can we
piont to today that will lead the people2
Has anyone proven himself to be pos
sessed of the genius of Parnell--a map
who had the faculty Of keeping the OPP
posing Clements together opposing
without his controlling mind. but an ab-
solute unity under his management.
1t was thought that Edward Blake
would do something in the advancement
of Ireland's affairs, and yet no sooner
did he place his foot upon Irish soil than
he was bitterly assailed. His motives
were those of the purest patriotism. An
eminent chancery lawyer, leader of his
party in parliament, man highly re-
spected byAll parties-this man gave up
all he possessed in Canada for the purpose
of advancing the interests of the land of
his forefathers. AS yet he has accom-
plished nothing, simply because the
Irishmen are fighting among themselves
With Mccarthy and Healy and Redmond
and Dillon cutting each others threats
what can the outside world think of the
spectacle?
If Irishmen must fight let them do it,
but not at the expense of the nation.
The world laughs at the antics of a
Donnybrook fair, but it often signs when
it sees an ardent people fighting among
themselves. .'' 81