The Irish standard., 1898-12-31

HAL ScItlcluculS, lie DItCUuldu COUe Ill
+ the penal enactments of Elizabeth and
William, led the British government to
f1atter themselves that the humiliation
of the Irish would result from such legis-
>lation; but the Irish, despite persecution,
have risen into the power and glory of
the western world.
Though the church had contributed to
the discovery and early colonization of
this country, though the new France,
with all the traditions of the old France,
was planted near our DOORS though Lord
Baltimore laid the foundations of civil
and religious liberty in the statutes of
the Maryland colony, though Gov. Don
gan, the son of an Irish Catholic, first
yet the Catholic church 100 years ago
was practically an alien, barely reeogniz-
ed, hardly tolerated In fact penal
statutes existed against it.
while credit must be given to the
Catholics of other nationalities, notably
French and German. who will deny the
influence of the Irish in the building up
of the church into it's present strength
and beauty?
"If the future of the world be with the
English srealiing races the Irish who
have been driven by English misrule
from their native land, will be found to
bring salvation through the maintenance
of their religious ideals
Monsignor Conaty passed from the
religious influence of the Irish to their
educational influence, and spoke of the
history of Ireland in education, showing
the beauty and strength of the Celtic lit
erature which gave of its spirit Of Eng
lish letters "This influence" he said,
came through the Celtic missionaries
and schools, which was the source of the
Christianity of the Anglo-Saxons. All
the characteristics Of the Celt-hls i'm
imagination, wit, sentiment, spirituality,
faith-were shared by those who came
in contact with him.
1.-THE third feature of the influence of
the Irish is found in his love for liberty.
Prosecuted by kings and mobiles, he be-
came an intense lover OF democratic in
situations. AS Celt he was a clan
man, and the clan system developed a
spirit of independence and freedom.
With the English came the feudal system
and in the clash of systems the fcudal
prevailed. The English king to him per-
sonified tyranny, and he hated him for
what he personficd. He loves equality
he has respect for law and order, when
law and order mean justice and right.
Oppression sanctificd his ideas of free
dom. and rather than be a slave he
abandoned the land of hi; love.
He has an undying love for mother
land, and yet motherland was to him but
the soul Of his ancestors. their hopes and
SORROWS, for he had no state in which it
was eXempified. Hence it was in his
heart and mind, and everywhere he went
he carried it enthusiastically with him.
He loved the new land in which he
found a home. Dit re also loved the old
land whence lie came His country to
him was localized. 1t was his Tirnan
Og--a land Of perpetual youth-in which
are enshrined the highest ideals Of hoi-
ness, beauty and Justice The Irish
easily assimilate, but nowhere more than
in America because here the ideals of
country are nearer. TO their hearts
ideals"
Monsignor Conaty quoted from Senator
Hoar In his address at the 250th ami
versary Of Worcester: But see what
the lrishman brings also as Il dowry to
his marriage which the centuries are to
weld. The Irish race is conspicuous
among great races for great traits. No
people that possess them ever failed to
achieve Il high rank among nations on a
fair field. These are: The capacity to
produce great men under the most adj
verse conditions; the capacity for rapid
elevation when conditions are favorable;
courage. soldierly qualities the gift of
eloquence, the power of severe and pa
tient labor. the passion for owning land.
strong domestic affection, chastity,
deep religious feeling
Noble words from the best type of
American in public life said Monsignor
Conaty.
"The Irish have brought to the build
ing this nation their strength of char
acter as Il race, which seven centuries of
persecution have not been able to weak
en-. There is viriity which is peculiar
ly its own, Il reverence for home, Il de-
votion to all that men hold dear. a bon
hommic which is as the salt Of life-and
these characteristics the lrishman brings
with him everywhere. Their deep seat
ed love OF country encourages and
strengthens patriotism"
Monsignor Conaty then passed to dis
cussion of the question of numbers as
to the Irish emigrants. and spoke at
length upon their relation to the revolu-
ton and to their assimilation to Ameri-
can life. Speaking on their faults, he
said: "They could all be traced to the
influence of>anti-Irish legislation in Ire
land, to the prohbitive laws hinderlng
industrial development. to the iniquitous
taxes which promoted lmprovdence, and
to the penal laws which developed IL
literacy."
Def k<, ANA A al