The Irish standard., 1897-10-16
HE ARRAlGNs BRITISH hhlSRULE
"lreland's Liberty Springs From
Her Martyrs Blood"
THE TITLE OF HIS ADDRESS.
Reasons Given Why Columbia Does
Sympathize With Erin.

The following is synopsis Of the
Grafton recently delivered by Rev. Geo.
w. Pepper, the eloquent and patriotic
Irish Methodist minister, ut the Nash
vile auditorium in the Centennial EX-
position grounds, on "Irlsh-American
Day"
Rev. Dr. Peppers subject was "lre-
lands Liberty Springs From Her Mar
tyrs' Blood" He began his address by
n brief sketch of Ireland and tho Irish
people. lie dwelt upon Ireland's scen-
cry, antiquities and her oppression by
an alien power. He ridiculed tho
"Scotch-Irish" shibboleth 30 frequently
heard nowadays and showed how, in
the north of Ireland, a large number
of Protestant ministers had gone to tho
scafrold and laid down their lives for
Irish freedom. lie then continued sub
stantially Ms follows:
What are the grievances OF Ireland?
We will not travel back to the remote
past for causes of Irish discomfort. The
Irish arraign the English government
for the destruction OF millions
OF the population. Since the Great
Redeemer died on Calvary there
has been no such de lation within the
period OF forty years. The mighty ruth
less warriors. Caesar, Mohammed, II
muir and Napoleon. fought no such bat
ties to win the empire of the world
as 1t has cost England to misgovern
Ireland | remember when the popula-
tion was 100000; now it is only
100000. The black flag OF famine
floating over Ireland in the terrible
years of 1846-47 was but symbol of
the rcmorscless government OF Ireland
by Britain. The Irish arraign the Brit
ish government with the revolving and
barbarous treatment of political pris-
oners. The world has been Mortified
at tho cruelties prlcticed upon such
men az Gallagher, Whitehead and
scores of others.
Americans were shocked when they
heard OF the annihilntion OF the brave
Gen. Custer and his 300 soldiers: but
there was something honorable attend
Ing the circumstances in which the
savage Indians dispatched their victims,
because they met them as open and
avoWcd enemies Not so the British
thugs treated their unfortunate lrisn-
American prisoners. Who can read of
the studied torture OF those gallant
men, who can behold them, now raving
mad men In the asylum on New York,
without feeling his blood scething with
indignation7 Applausc) The Irish
people arlaign England for the dcstruc-
tion of their manufactures. At the
time OF the union between the two
countries, out OF a population OF G,OOO,.
600 there were 1,45O,OOO engaged In
manufacturers or one out OF every five
OF the population; in 1S4O there were
only 10000. This chm ge was the re.
suit of the :lbOlishment of the protec.
tive duties established by the Irish par
Lament. Protection, at the time 1t was
in England, and the Irish people, beat
Ell out of their industries, were COM
PEELED to fall back upon the land. The
Irish, although they rely upon the
power, the ncver-failing power, of truth
to dissolve the union, yet are no cow
ards; they are ready to lay down their
lives for their country's independence.
Though the blood in the heart of Iro-
land was low and the sinews In her
arm shrunkcn. yet If she had fajr
chance she would spring at the throat
OF her ancient foe. (Great applause)
Let England be engaged in war, tho
sabres of Irish soldiers will shine along
the ramparts of Limerick, and the me-
tions will hear the ringing Of 1901 900
mnskets beyond the banks of tho
Doyne. (Applause.) The 1rishanan pas.
nionatoly desires war; there arc fiery
spirits tossing in their beds at night
impatient for the sound of the first
gun, War between England and some
other nation is inevitable, Let it come
In the rcd blaze that spreads from ths
fret flash Of powder the future opens
TO my view. Amid the tumuit of the
s1adiators hear the breaking of chains
that have CALLED the Irish slaves,
Above the hot dust of the arena where
the fight goes on ! see the spirit ef
liberty ascending the clouds opening
and the crewn ct victory replacing that
of martyrdom upon the head of the
emancipated and expanding spirit, Let
it come! tOheers.) Peace is enly
profitable to tyfaats: Peace in ireland