The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-10-23
THE MEMORY OF NlNETY-EIGHr.

the control and management of the 90
celebration to the exclusion of all par
liamentary representatives designated
as "anti-Parnellite," it would be we'll
for Irish-Americans contemplating a
trip to Ireland next year to refrain
from participating in fractional demon
strations. They can witness the ceie-
bration as mere spectators and visit the
historic scenes of the rebellion, but on
no account should they ally themselves
with any clique or faction Of politicians
who desire to make capital out of a
celebration ostensibly intended to COM
memorate the achievements Of the
brave men Of 9S who united solidly
against the common enemy for liberty
or death.
The men Of Massachusetts who will
arrive in Ireland next May have set
an example which Irish Americans
from other parts of this country should
initiate. w. J. Walsh, chairman Of the
Boston committee, has Informed a rep
resentative Of the Cork Examined tina.
the men Of New England will not aliy
themselves with any political party in
Ireland until the Irish factionlsts unite.
1--WE have made it perfectly cleal,' lie
says. that we will not be asso dated
with any one except ne has unity OF,
his tOpmast." If the self-constitlted
managers Of the centennial celebration
OF memorable '3S are actuated by the
true spirit Of patriotism they will give
representation on their committees to
men OF all creeds and parties who love
Ireland and honor the memories Of
the heroes OF the Irish rebellion. II
they Obstinately refuse to do so and
persist in boycotting those who will not
give their sanction 20 the policy Of
John Redmond. the irish-Americans
should take an attitude Of neutrality
and celebrate the event in any way
they deem proper II they take sides,
II is better for them to remain at home.
Referring to the celebration, the Dublin
Freeman's Journal makes the following
pertinent and patriotic remarks:
"The Society Of United Irlshmcn
aimed first of all at the union OF all
lrishmen who believed that British
rule in Ireland wa, bad and hateful
thing. The Centennial celebration OF
their gallant effort should be no less
broadly comprehensive Of the Nation
alist elements Of today than were the
forces that they called into being. But
whatever the reason. ana whoever Is
responsible. the preparations so far
made for next years celebrations have
proceeded upon exclusive ard sectional
lines. The excursion Of the IRISH par
liamentary representatives If all sec
tons from the committee and its exc
cutivc is too complete to be accidental,
and If deliberate must cover design
to discredit them ana Tie forces an(,
methods that they represent. In many
places the patriotic m micipal Lodles
have been similarly hoycottcd. and the
local representatives of the people de-
nike a place in 'he organizations.
condition of things can hardly have ex-
pectcd that the Centennial celebration
would be of tlc national character that
it should assume. if it be worthy of the
of the great mass Of Irish Nationulis,s
were thus banned. AS ID The question
who is responsible We prefer Just ;lOw
not to raise it. But IN THIS connection
we are glad to ncte that the president
of the Centenary committee, Mr.. John
0I-cary. is in practical agreement with
those who have been ,;lvccating IA
celebration upon national lines. In
an interview with the representative OF
the New Sunday Worll Mr.. ULcar:
is represented as expressing substantial
agreement with MIR. O'l1ricr'; view
that Irish members OF Parliament
should have the same rights and rliv-
ilcgcs in the celebration as other risi,
nationalist" In reply to the question
Mr.. O'Lcary is reported TO have said
that "tllc Centenary of '?S shoull be
celebration by all the nationalia,s o:
Ireland Of every class. party and creeG."
That being so. we may reasonably con-
clude that Mr.. O'Lcary is in no way
responsible for the policy that threatens
to ROD the Centenary of so much force
and representative character. He may,
we trust, be counted upon to assist in
giving the movement such a scope and
direction as will make it repro scntative
CT every class of patriotic Irislmcn.
AT present there is great DANCE: that
thousands Of Irish Nationalists " i'll be
forced. out Of respect for themselves
and their principles. either to abstain
from all participation in the movement,
or honor the memories md Gae,ls they
remember and revere by celebration
upon their own lines and under their
own leaders. Such a result would be
most lamentable. and would provide in
stead Of an impressive demonstration
OF the indestructibilty of our national
aspirations, a new and contemplate
exhibition of Irish dissenson."
The John O'Lcary spoken of by the
Freeman's Journal is one of the Fcnians
Of 1866 who was sentenced with O'Don-