The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-09-10

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the Mater Dolorosa Of Christian natioxs
lifted UP her head and led by Us gallant
a band Of patriots as ever loved coun-
try made desperate effort for freedom.
All the South American people moved,
and one by one awaited the inevitable
hour to sound the note Of liberation. and
even the far East felt the effect of lib
erty's new birth in the world.
When Caius Cassius stood over the
dead body Of the mightiest man that
ever appeared in the tide Of time he
lifted his sword. smoking still with the
richest blood Of all the world, and
touched by the sublime nature of the
work he had done. exclaimed:
How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
III states unborn and accents yet unknown.
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot Of us be called,
We men that gave their country liberty.
And so, indeed, might the founders Of
this nation, coming out of that memoir
able convention in Philadelphia, have
been moved with the work they had
done, when they declared all men to be
created free and equal and gave to all
the inalienable rights to life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness, so they, touch
ed by the sublime business they had in
hand, might have exclaimed, How
many times shall this, our lofty scene,
be acted over in states unborn and ac-
cents yet unknown Aye, truly, and as
often as that shall be so often shall the
knot of us be called the men who gave
the world liberty.
But foundation is not all, nor, per-
haps, is it the most difficult work. To
perpetuate is no less important-no less
difficult. "Of equal honor with him who
writes a grand poem," says the poet,
Longfellow, is he who reads it grand
ly." OF equal honor with him who
founds a great work Is he who perpetu-
ates It; Of equal honor with him who
gives his country liberty is he who de-
fends 1t bravely. This is our duty and
our privilege. Woe to us if we forget
1t! Monarchies may count on force,
but republics must rely on virtue
tyrannies may use fear rs an instru-
mentality. but the only thing that can
save republic is the love Of all its peo-
pie. Who SO loves the republic perpetu-
ates its liberty; whose instills the love
of it into the hearts of others increases
its strength; whose teaches the young
the glorious deeds Of our fathers safe
guards it's future, and whose in the
hour Of trial leaves home, wife and
in his heart goes forth to battle. and. i.
child and mother, and with his country
need be, to death, he is freedoms cham
pion. and does a work not less glorious
than those who under the inspiration
of heaven first laid down deep and broad
the sure foundations Of liberty. Such
work have the gallant boys done who are
now coming home and it is meet that
all who honor liberty and all who love
their country should honor them.
Moreover, they and we have been
making history, and teaching the world
lessons. In the beginning all Europe
foretold disaster. We were a nation of
shop keepers not prepared for war. There
was no discipline in our navy. The
press Of Europe spoke of us with con-
tempt. the English not less than the
continental. The London papers said the
Maine was lost because OF a lack of dis
cipline on board, and the army, all raw
recruits, would not stand before fire.
The most sanguine among us could not
but expect some reverses. Well, they
have not come. From the unparalleled
victory Of Dewey at Manila to the no
less glorious achievement of Schley at
Santiago, coupled with the superb work
of our men at the same pace-one Sc
RIGS Of victories-the nation of shop
keepers has become a nation Of heroes.
Europe worships power and they realize
for the first time the might of that
young giant who begins to move.
All honor to the men who have
brought us victory. But let us not mis-
use the fruits Of that victory. May that
God direct our councils who has blessed
our arms. Let us have friendship with
all the world, fear of none and alliance
with none. We are able to manage our
own affairs. Our mission is singular,
unique No one can share it with us.
Let us substitute no spurious race pa
triotism for the love of our own coun- .
try. Our country is large enough to flll
our hearts.
Tho future is before us-a future to
the glory Of which these gallant men in
degree contributed. How great it is to
be no one but God knows. know there
are perils. difficulties. and dangers, but
I believe in that future and l see the
ship Of state enter thesstorm without
any missgivings. She starts OH new
voyage, all sails set, every rope taut.
gallant men on board, VINO fears the
storm? All hail to the ship of state!
Thou. too, sail on, o ship of state!
Sail on, o union. strong and great!
Humanity. with all its fears.
With all the hopeA OF future years
Is hanging brcathless on thy fate!
We know what master laid thy keel;
What workman wrought thy ribs of steel;
Who made each mast and sail and rope:
What anvils rang, what hammers beat;
In what Il forge and what n heat
Who shaped the anchors OF thy hope!