The times., 1897-04-05
IRISH PATRIOTS APPEAL
The Kin of Erin Asked TO Aid a
Centennial Celebration.
Urged to Assist in the Celebration
of the Struggle Inaugurated
One Hundred Years Ago.

New York, April 4.-The "Ninety Eight
Centennial Association OF Irish Patriots
has issued an address to all persons OF
Irish descent appealing for funds to aid
in the celebration OF the centenary OF Ire
lands struggle for freedom. This cele-
brdtton is To take place in Ireland next
year, and it is proposed To make it a
memorable event, in the hope that the Irish
race throughout the world will turn their
eyes to their native land with hope re-
newed for the establishment Of a distinct
nation. The address, which is signed by
Edward o O'Flaherty, president, and John
B. Kelly, secretary, and many Others, is
in part a follows:
"Ninety-nine years ago the people OF
IreanIrose eagainstintolerabl tyranny and
made gallant effort tO restore their cOun-
try to place among the nations. Folio w
ing the example OF the Thirteen Colonies.
they sought to obtain by force the rights
denied TO peaceful appeals. Ireland was
held by foreign government, which ruled
through an alien oIigarchy, disfraChsed
and plundered the ma jority OF the people,
crushed their industries, stifled their in
teHectual growth and made such rights
of citizenship as it allowed dependent on
religious belief. In place of this odious
system, the united Irishmen proposed TO
establish a government ''Of the people, for
the people and by the people, under which
all men, irrespective OF creed or class,
should have equal rights and duties. Eng
land fomented religious strife the united
Irtshnen brought the warning sects to-
gethcr and buried the feudS or centuries
1.-The blood of 1000 patriots killed in
battle or slaughtered after the fighting
was over, attested their faith il the
principles of civil and religious liberty,
while the loss Of 10000 British soldiers
gave proof OF Irish yalor on the battle
field. No more heroic struggle is recorded
in history and EngIand's success was due
more to the elements, which deprived
Ireland of that foreign aid which enabled
America to win, than the prOwess OF her
soldiers or the skill of her generals.
1.-The leaders of the united IriShmen
came from every class and every creed
represented in the popuia ton, and were
men of high character. great attainments,
and heroic devotion to principle.
They and the gallant rank and file who
alike, prevented the extinction Of the Irish
cause, and handed 1t down, living, burn
ing issue.
ITO aid the people of Ireland to fittingly
celebrate that heroic struggle, and honor
the men who took part in it, the Ninety
eight Centennial Association has been
formed.
I'VE propose to aid the work by
contributing to the success of the demon
stratious, and in making the monument a
great work of Irish art, worthy of the Men
of '98, and worthy of the race. Compara-
lively few Irish men or women in America
can attend the demonstration in Ireland,
but all can contribute to the monument.
Let us close the nineteenth century
with becoming tribute to the men whose
work enabled us to stand together as q
distinct people, so that we may be ready
in the early days of the coming century
to take the place that belongs to us among
the nations of the world"