Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-09-03

future, but he knew that the proceedings
showed that the Irishmen had not lost
their nationality. After what they had
witnessed nothing could conceal from the
world that it was their unanimous wish
to govern themselves.
Mr.. John O'Leary, who was received
with applause, in responding said that in
speaking of Ireland a nation they meant
Ireland under its own laws, and not those
of England. To him it was matter of
Indifference whether Ireland nation
meant Ireland under a republic, limited
monarchy or an absolute monarchy. He
was, above all things, an Irish National
list, and he wanted to get as much sepa-
ration from England as possible. He
was not an altogether impracticable man,
still he could not conceive of any recon-
citation between Ireland and England
short of the repeal of the Union. He
had, however, no difficulty in responding
to this toast. He wanted Ireland a ma
ton in the fullest sense possible, if posi-
BILE, but he wanted it at least in the sense
Of a self-governed nation, as it was before
the union.
Mr.. John Redmond, NJ. p, i'll propos-
ing Memory of the Dead" said: My
Lord Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, sup
pose no more difficult task was ever cast
upon any man than to propose this toast
difficult in this sense, not that it is not
toast full of inspiration for every Irish
man, but it is toast to which full justice
can not be done. On an occasion such
as this, indeed, we would be wanting in
our duty if this toast were not honored.
But 1 confess to you that when l was
asked first few moments ago to propose
this toast ventured humbly to make the
suggestion that the toast ought to be pro-
posed without any speech and ought to
be drunk in silence. However, other
views have prevailed, and the duty has
been cast upon me of proposing this toast
THE Memory of the Dead" What
does it mean? 1t means not merely the
memory of those who died in '9S, whom
we are celebrating, but it means the
memory of every Irishman, great or hum
BILE, Who during the centuries that have
passed, has died in defense of Ireland.
Gentlemen, in the public life of Ireland
today we often hear men repining and
grumbiing at the delays and difficulties
and disappointments that they have to
endure and the sacrifices that they have
to make. If they knew anything of the
past history of Ireland-if they knew any
thing of the past history of their own
forefathers-theyo ought to be ashamed to
complain of any dangers, or difficulties,
or sacrifices, that they may be compelled
to make. How easy it is for us to cham
pion the cause of Ireland; how pleasant
and full of honor and credit. But con-
slider what it was a hundred years ago.
Why, It's impossible for us, living in these
times of comparative liberty, to realize
the lot which our forefathers had to face
i'll '98. Our forefathers had to take the
field when there was but little chance of
success. They took the field because
they were impelled by desire to make
an effort for Irish liberty; and, although,
in the vulgar acceptation of the word,
they failed, yet we know in our hearts
that they did not fail-because the spirit
that they have Dequeathed to us hveth
today, and whether it comes in our day
or whether we will have to wait for an
other generation, we are convinced in
out hearts that the day must inevitably
come when the triumph of Irish liberty
will be assured. Gentlemen, was par
ticularly interested in the speech which
fell from perhaps the one man i'll this
room who in his own person represents
the traditions of '9S. He spoke to you
of Ireland nation, and he told youwhat
he meant BY it, and / think that every
man who heard him agreed with his def
milton. When people speak of Ireland a
nation-when we toast Ireland nation,
we do not mean that we desire Ireland to
become a nation, because all say that she
is and always was a nation. What is the
meaning of a nation? ireland by geo
graphical position, by race, by national
characteristics is an isolated and distinct
country, so she has been all through, anc
nothing that can be done by English
laws or English power can deprive Ire
land of her attribute of nation. Wher
we toast ireland a nation" what W.
mean is not only that she shall become
nation because she is one already, blu
what we mean is that the day will come
when hel separate and distinct national
ity and nationhood will come to be recog
nized by the nations of the world. AnC
certainly so long as a country has TIL
, history that Ireland has, so long as Irish
men are able to look back to the sacrifice
and sufferings of their motherland, 81
, long will it be impossible for them t.
abandon the high ideals of the nation
, hood of their land. The toast of 9Th
= Memory of the Dead" is, indeed,
solemn one. 1t recalls to us gloriou
memories connected with our history
Other nations which have prospered an
. been powerful in the plentitude of thei
: power toast their victorious ancestors
but doubt if they ever can, with tn
! same feeling of tenderness and of dove
t;or racai1 the eucceeses of their fore