The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-08-01

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mans, Assyrians, and Phoenic:ans were o.
the c1ums;est aud rudest sort, and Wnlie
they possessed certain qualities that gave
them value, there was sombreness aDoilt
them that rendered them unfit for appil.
cation TO the ordianry uses OF everyday are
1t is to the Get, In great measure, that we
owe many OF our best patterns in textile
fabrics, carpets, rugs, wall papers and orna-
mental metal work.
According to Berington and other very
reliable authorities during the seventh,
eighth. ninth and tenth centuries, Celtic
designers and Celtic artisans were In great
demand at court in Europe, and Charlie
magne welcomed, along with the renowned
Alcuin, large number Of Celtic Workmen
who taught his people the arts of working
in god, silver, clay and other similar mate
rials. They also taught the arts of max
ing fine textile fabrics. working embro.der-
les and illuminating books.
The celebrated crown of Charlemagne
was, no doubt, the work of Celtic artists,
whose associations with Byzantine artists
had it's influence upon their work. The
crown shows A strong Celtic motive in all
its details, and, as we know number OF
Irish artists IN god were employed by the
great emperor it is reasonable to suppose
they wrought at this crown. This vaiua-
be relic of Celtic skill is still preserved
amongst the regalia in Vienna.
Perhaps the most skillfully finished work
of the Celt in decoration is the wonderful
book of Saint Ke;ls. The celebrated Eng
lsh artist Wyatt went to Dublin, purposely
some of the designs He attempted the
toy b,,+I Ind tn sriv r. IN 6c-poir
examined the pages for hours together
without detecting a false line or irregular
inter.acement. In the space Of one-fourth
of an :nch square, he counted with mag
nifying glass no less than one hundred and
eight interlacements of a slender ribbon
pattern of white, edged with black.
1t IS no wonder that tradition alleges that
these lines were traced by some superhu-
man agency. According to an authority on
this subject Celtic ornament originated
with the race, and was the common prop
erty of the earliest inhabitants of Scotland
Scandinavia and Ireland"
Recent Legi station and Individual Rig
hts.
All legislation in some way, directly or
Indirectly, affects individual rights. This
being conceded fact. it ought to follow
as logical sequence that the least legisla-
ton is generally for all the people, the best
legislation. This is SO, especially, when
legislation seeks to curtail and infringe
upon the liberties, privileges, rights and
immunities of the individual.
There is undoubtedly too much legisla-
ton today. It's trend against individual
rights seems to be increasing with alarm
ing rapidity and amazing facility. 1t takes
within its scope about everything conceiv-
able, and if it goes on much longer, it will
make the American citizen mere statu-
tory automaton. 1t will surprise any stu
dent of passing events to glance over the
session laws Of the different state legisla-
lures during the past few years. super
fetal examination will, l think, fully con-
vince him that there is much legislation
today that Is useless and foolish as it Is OBJ
noxious and dangerous.
Within few weeks the legislature of
Ohio treated the world to ser;o-comic
enactment against high hats in theaters.
Another state legislature has been amusing
itself, and adding to the satisfaction of
cranks, by solemnly debating bill to
make it misdemeanor to ask any one to
take drink of spirituous or malt liquor.
The Illinois legislature has just made itself
ridiculous by enacting f1ag-rais:ng law,
and incidentally casting odium on the good
name of IT'S state by indicting the governor
as the first offended. New York's repre-
sentat;ves have just passed the odious and
discriminating Raines law, and another
state, c1rfew law for bad little children
and scolding women; and so on and on ad
infnitum in all the state legislatures, ex-
Editions of experimental legislative pater-
nalism run mad,-a veritable epidemic of
extrayagant farce comedy and opera bouffe.
All of this perniciors legislation affects
the rights of individuals to an alarming
extent. Half of it should never be on the
statute books, and more than half is never
enforced by the constituted authorities.
Besides too much unnecessary legislation,
there is too much legislative officiousness.
Many of these useless statutes are uncon-
stitutional, but as they are never enforced,
their constitutionality IS never tested by
the courts. Many are void because unin-
telligible, and hasty investigation demon
strates their utter absl1rd:ty and inefh-