The Irish standard., 1899-09-09

guage is not like that, and there is no
Irisl1-speaking man whose language is
arrayed in borrowed feathers. Gap
plause.) The Irish language comes,
down from the earliest ages, and for
that reason, if for no other l think our
grand old tongue is worthy OF being
preserved, and that it is worthy OF all
labor bestowed on the work by those
ladies and gentlemen who are endeav-
oring to preserve it. (Cheers)
II have shown that our language is
worthy of being preserved Now, is it
possible to preserve it? Some time ago
I was despairing of it, but l have
changed my mind, and let lne give you
some reasons for it. The other day a
very interesting paragraph in the news
paper caught my eye. 1t was state
ment to the effect that in Bohemia
some years ago, there were four gentle
men gathered in room, and one OF
them said if the ceiling should fall and
kill the four of them, the Czech Ian
guage would disappear forever. What
was the case now? The Czech is crush
ing out the German in Bohemia, and
Germans are threatening to leave the
Austrian Empire and join Germany, be-
cause their language is being crushed
out. If they worked with the same de-
termination as the Bohemians, the time
might come in ireland when the En-
glish people and their friends might
find the English crushed out, as the
Czech crushed out the German in Bo-
hemia (applause,) and they might be
threatening to separate from us alto
gether; and I am sure you would be all
sorry to see them going. Uaughter.)
That is one proof of what can be done
to preserve language.
But we have stronger proof in the
case OF Wales. The Irish language was
never as far gone in ireland as the
Welch in Wales; and now it is univer-
sally spoken through the principality
They have magnificent literature in
Welch, and they have their newspapers
and magazines" "A Voice: "And their
music"
His Eminence: "And their music;
but no such music as we have in Ire
land. 1t was different with our Ian
guage; but we stuck to our music
(Applause.) The WEIGH was nearly
completely gone, but bythrqwing them
selves into the struggle to preserve it,
in the true spirit of nationality, and
exercising little zeal and /, great deal
of labor, they brought the language to
the splendid position which it occupies
to-day. (Applause.) We need not de-
spair, therefore, Of our grand old
tongue. 1t is sure to live. (Cheers.)
AS written language, it was, of course,
bound to live; but it would live also, as
spoken language among the people,
and l think we have reason to be thank
full to Providence that the hour OF dan
ger is now passed. (Chccrs.)
II was asked simply 10 write letter
to this meeting; but l said I would not
write letter, but that I would come
here and do all could to encourage
this great work, and tell the people
what I thought OF its Importance. Gap
plause.) 1t is most important, OF
course, because the language is beauti-
full; but there is another and higher
reason, and that is, if the Irish dies, the
spirit OF nationality goes along with it,
and the simple faith OF the people goes
with it, too. Let the Irish die, and that
purity OF morals for which ireland is
remarkable, may go aiding with it. It
is not, therefore, for the sake of the Ian
guage, as language, that wish to see
Irish preserved, but in order that it
may in the future, be principal in
,f1uence in sustaining the national spirit
OF the people, and powerful influence
in keeping up that simplicity OF char
acter and magnificent purity of heart
which has ever been Characteristic Of
the people of Ireland. (Cheers)
"These are some OF the reasons
which made it pleasure for me to
come here to-day, and I think it is
quite sufficient for me to say these few
words in recommending to you the
great work in which you are engaged,
and l am sure, from the spirit of at
tachment which you bear to the grand
old language, and especially for the zeal
for its preservation shown by the men,
bers of the Gaelic Society, you will
have before long fourishing branch
of the society here in Omeath." loud
cheers.)