The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-03-24

cruelty and outrage, this unremittine
struggle to steal nations creed ant
grind people into scridom, the ".Sog
garth Aroon' was trus to his trust
Ireland's religion remained, and Ire
lands nationality was not lost
Other nations have conquered op-
preston and gained their political in
dependence, at the cost, however, OF
ruined affairs and the Dissertation. OF
| religion. Too often has the cross been
lowered when liberty's standard was
raised. Ireland presents to the admir-
ing world the grand spectacle OF a peo-
pie securing their political rights by
constitutional means, and in the flush
and enthusiasm Of victory, as loyal to
their faith and its ministers, as in the
darkest days OF their bondage. This
extraordinary fact in the history OF po-
litical agitation can be accounted for
only through the loyal and unsclhsE de-
votion OF lreland's priesthood to the in
tercsts OF her people in all her sorrow
iul history.
The Irish priest never deserted, but
always followed his scattered flock. He
championed without fear. or hope Of
favor, the cause OF the poor and the
oppressed. With price on his head,
he fled with his flock to the wilds OF the
mountains comfortcd them in their
SORROWS, and lightencd their burden OF
grief. Under the shelter OF midnight
darkness, he brought religious consola-
ton to the dying and gave Christian
burial to the dead He shared will,
them the crust their poverty could offer,
dispclled despair when their hearts were
breaking, and led them to look from the
inhumanity OF man to the eternal JUS
tce OF God
The fidelity OF the Irish priest to his
oppressed and povcrtystricllcn people
continued from generation to genera
ton, cnlivenng their hopes through all
their wrongs, until to-day. priests and
people, united together in closest affcc
ton and confidence, are moving on
ward to the full realization OF all their.
dreams.
No wonder that the Irish people are
loyal to their priesthood for Ireland S
priesthood has been their best and tru-
est friend. The worthy Irisllman, the
lrislln,an who is an honor to his race,
OF whom his country has no reason to
be ashamed, is provcrbial the world
over, for his manly respect and rever
cncc for the priesthood, because the
devoted priesthood OF Ireland has won
his undying gratitude and love for gen
crous service given to the sacred cause
oil civil liberty and religious freedom.
The people OF Ireland arc loyal to their
priesthood, for the priesthood of Ire
land has been their best and truest
friend
AS might we'll be expected, however,
the priests and prclates of Ireland have
not escaped the shafts OF censure and
blame. They have been censured for
slow and dilatory action, and they have
been blamed for at all cspousing the
cause Of their country.
The first is no matter of surprise
when we remember the character and
temperament OF the people among
whom their lot was cast The rash and
impatient could see no wisdom in delay.
when their hearts were on fire with in
dignation at the memory OF their coun-
try's wrongs.
Designing men, whose insncerity be
came unveiled, or whose selfish schemes
were thwartcd, did not admire the dis
intcrcstcdness OF the Irish priest in the
affairs OF his country.
Prudence and conservative caution
were Irclands only hope when battling
with all implacablc enemy, and the wis
dom OF Ircland's priesthood has won
the worlds approval