The Irish standard., 1898-04-16

which then drove honorable and con-
scientious men into opposition to the
projects OF tho government, and some
times. alas, into desperate courses in
those troublous and disastrous times.
Hear, hear.) But Of one thing, at all
events, they might be proud. Even dur
ing the period of Ireland's troubled days
the men of the North proved them
selves strong and vigorous champions of
whatever cause they espoused, and were
undoubtedly inspired by a sincere and
deep religious spirit. Happily those
names of which they were chiefly proud,
those whose names were 30 familiar to
them all, were able to win their laurels
in fields outside the narrow limits of
party or provincial strife, Of hateful
racial antagonism, or equally hateful
polemical warfare. They were good
ulstermen every one OF them; but this
belonged as much to ireland as to us
ter, and as much to the Empire as to
Ireland. Their names We're such
cherished memory amongst them-such
ample Justice was done to their fame
and their exploits by Lord Russell In his
generous appreciation OF their services
that he need not go over the roll-call
OF these gallant soldiers, and great
divines, and wise statemen, and able ad-
! ministrators and fnanciers, who not only
| Illuminated the annals OF their province,
and whose names were O word of power
| and a subject with which to conture
throughout the length and breadth Of
the British Empire. lCheers.) He was
happy to think that England, whatever
| might have been her shortcomings in
former days, had long since learned to
welcome with enthusiasm Irish talent,
| Irish bravery, Irish capacity wherever
| it appeared, and had opened the highest
offices of the state, the greatest conf
mands in the army, the most coveted
prizes at the bar, and the highest par
liamentary honors to those Of their coun-
trymen who proved themselves worthy
OF them (Cheers.)
l
vate soldier carried marsllals baton in
his knapsack. He thought that might be
said in regard to ireland, and not only
tho baton of a field marshal, but the
commission of commander chief.
the warrant Of a colonial governor
nay, the sceptre of a viceroy. (Cheers.)
AS witness the career of Lord Welles-
ley, Lord Moira, Lord Canning, Lord
! Mayo, Lord Lawrence and Lord Lans-
| doWne. cloud cheers and cries of Lord
Duferin.D Under those circumstances
he thought it was no exaggeration to
| say that the prizes were within easy
| reach-he would also say within easier
| reach OF his countlymen than they wore
OF their English and Scotch competitors.
(Cheers and laughtcr) AS to the scnti-
ment which brought them together that
night, no dare say many persons were
not OF tho same mind in regard to po-
litical questions, but those political diff
ferences would not prevent them from
associating together in friendly inter-
course. Hear hear.) 1t was Il sigh of a
desire on the part Of all Irishmcn to
bridge over and obliterato the breaches
and assures surviving from past convul-
sons and unite their efforts for some pat
riotic object. Tho recess Commission
which was composed of gentlemen of very
various views, was an auspicious in
stance of this feeling, and he was happy
to think that their efforts had been at
tended with satisfactory results, and hc
had been told that at the moment til,
pale Chancellor Of tho Exchequor was
sitting trembling upon his money bags
because rumor had reached him that
combination or orange and green was
sitting in tho corner Of tho Houses o
Parliament with very ncfarious designs
upon his treasures. daughter anG
cheers.) But there was yet another stage
In tho development of these auspicous
incidents to which he could not help re
expressly forbidden to mako any allu
!, sion at these gatherings to any contro
verted political questions. but when the.
, had seen the government Of the day sub
: NIT to tho consideration of parliamen
proposals for one Of the most cxtcnsiv,
. far-reaching and portentous adminstra
; tive changes which had ever been ai'
| before any legislature and when Tie fount
those proposals.. welcomed not only b,
} tho regular parliamentary opposition
with enthusiasm, but by the spokesmel
} OF every shade OF political opinion IL
5 Ireland with what, in regard to thei
; general features might bo regarded IL
) practical unanimity, peace and good will
) amongst all Irishmen, might congratll
) late themselves upon so unprccedente
and unexpected a result. (Cheers.)
The council of the Amcrican-Ir Irisl
ic{0 t.,