The Irish standard., 1897-12-11

|
lighting against acknowledged it. (Hear,
hcar.) Mr.. Monsons remarks about
their soldiers would not hold water at
the spresent day. because the Duke OF
Wellington lapplause). was an Irsaman.
| They had at present Lord Wolseley, Lord
/ Roberts. Sir Richard Kitchener, and Sir
George White in India. He would also
point out the very gallant action Of
the Gordon Highlanders, which came
under their notice recently. He always
took interest in any fight to see if any
OF his countrymen were in
1t. He had asked for the
names Of those killed or wounded
in the battle. which the Gordon High
| landers fought the other day, and he
found among them the names Patrick
| Hogan, Timothy Mcguire, Denis Hickey,
Michael Rooney, an officer called Uni
acke. ana last, but not least, there was
the gallant piper. who, after both his
legs had been shot and broken, stationed
himself against a boulder and encourag-
ed his fellows to fight His name was
Patrick Findlater. (Appause.) He be-
lieved the man had been recommended
for the Victorian Cross. He hoped he
| would get it, so that it would be an
honor and credit to that great Scotch
regiment, and an honor and credit to the
lrlshmen serving in it. (Applause).
AS regards Monsons remarks that
the people were not good at agriculture
there was very good cause for this.
He was an Irish landlord himself and he
said that up to the 1870 act is was i'm
possible for any tenant ever to take an
interest i'll the agriculture of the land
AS the president had said, a man would
have been more or less insane to have
taken an interest in the land before the
passing of the act. He did not believe
that any good landlord ever did object
to the act of 1870. (Hear, hear.) He
was not going to enter into a political
controversy, but there was no doubt that
III recent years there was distinct
change for the better in ireland. Their
people were better fed, better clothed,
and better housed than formerly. With
IN the last ten years the deposits in
hanks had increased by G9,50OOO0, and
they should remember that those moneys
were put in banks by the producing
classes. However they might lind fault,
he believed that their country was turn
ing the corner, and they We're going to
see brighter days.
The president referred to their un
happy divisions and disunions He, did
nope That they day was coming when
they would all join together. Do not
let them have North and South or the
violence of political feelings. If tile
Irish would only stick Together they
would be perfectly irresistible. They al
ways managed to rule every country but
their own. When they did get all to-
gether he was sure that the best points
OF Irish character would always he to
the front. There were only two nation
al countries in the world-Ireland and
America. and America was only nation
al because there were so many Irish
there. ULaughter)
The Irish had always been their own
worst enemies, and their Irish cause was
always lost by the Irish. Let them pull
together; let them overcome those fatal
rows, and they should be very much
greater nation than over before He did
see bright future if things went on
as they were at present. and lie would
conclude with the words of Moore
ERIN. thy silent tear never shall cease,
Erin that languid smile ue'er shall ir-
crease,
Till like the rainbow's light,
Thy various tinLs unite
And form in heavens sight,
One arch of peace"
(Applause.)