The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-01-20
BANEFUL EFFECTS OF ALIEN LAWS
Record of Tyranny and Plunder
is Simply Appalling.
THE DEPsPULA1loN OF TIE ISLAND
Despite All, the National Spirit
is not Extinguished.

The year which is now rapidly draw
ing to an end writes ]. C. in the last is
sue OF 1899 OF the Belfast Irish Weekly,
will mark the death OF a century that
has been i'll many respects interesting
historical and calamitous, so far as Ire.
land has been concerned. A hundred
years CT strangers rule, administered
according to act OF union laws, and in
Huenced by cunning, barbarous and bru-
tai methods, have left an indclble mark
on the characteristics which designate
the Celtic race. English laws have
Eeen the curse OF our country for many
hundred years. At one time they were
administered by Strongbow, at ar
other by an Elizabeth, each in turn car
rying out in the strictest sense the Sax
on method, ever and always meaning
the extrpation and destruction OF the
native Irish. Bravely against the enc.
mics OF our land the struggle for sepa-
rate lie, original customs and national
characteristics has been maintained
Every page OF Irish history is illumin.
ated with stories OF wonderful deeds and
heroic accomplishments. Against war
famine, and cruelties unheard OF oul
race has striven. Now and again, afte,
undergoing the awful sacrifices entailed
by fierce, relentless conquests, Rosa
leen, weary, sick to death, wounded to
the heart, and bleeding from every
pore, bowed her proud head. and
clothed with nothing save emblems o
poverty and the wounds and bruises OF
the opprcssor, slept for time, but only
for time. A patriot son awakcns the
land will, his sharp, sl,rill cry, For Ire.
land, for Vengeance Slowly, yet sure.
ly, the pulse beat returns to Rosalccn
her cheeks, furrowcd with the streak.
Of suffering, become enkindlcd as the
holy spirit OF nationalism casts its radi-
ant glow across her pale face, life re-
turns, and by her side in battle array
stand forth again the warrior sons o
freedom.
On Jan. 4, 1900, ireland will have the
knowledge of understanding the banc
full effects Of 100 years OF laws admins
tered according to the articles of tho
act OF union. The disastrous results o
the rule OF century, when totalled, arc
simply appalling. Dublin boastcd o
90 wooden factories in 1900, employing
5000 hands, $500 silk loom wcavcrs, be
sides many other industries. Cork CAV,
employment to 1000 braid wcavcrs
1000 worstcd weavcrs, 5000 hosicrs
1000 cotton weavers, Goo linen cllecl
weavcrs; Wicklow, 1000 handloon
wcavers; Kilkenny, 60 blanket factories
Ralbriggan, $500 calico looms. One
hundred years OF strangers laws have
ruined all these Irish industries. Ma
tional prosperity has been paralyzcd, az
the ruined mills and factories on tho
banks of many an Irish river prove
Natural resources, richness in mincra
and water supply, ingenious minds, tc
naciors qualities typical OF the Cclt
have not been able to chcckmatc tho
efforts of the imperial English, who
drove the state Juggernaut OF misgov
crnmcnt over the body and soul OF Ire
land. An eminent French statesman
visiting Ireland in 1924. said he hat
seen the Indian in his wigwam and tho
negro in his chains, but that the condi
ton Of the Irish was worse than that o
the savage or the slave.
During the administration OF the act
OF union there have been eleven acts ioi
the direct relief OF exceptional distress
otherwise than by the ordinary poor
law, ten for indirect relief OF poverty by
public works, four for giving the poor
employment at the public expense, foul
for saving from starvation the thou
sands OF children deserted through tho
poverty oi their parents. Railways
struggling banks and cncumbercd cs
tatcs have sought assistance. Pitt who
expended f22,ooo,o 900 i'll destroying the
friends OF democracy in '98, the mar
who sacrificed 900 lives in freedoms
cause, declared that the act OF unio,
would bring boundless prosperity to tho
country.
The foregoing facts, with others, will
prove that the game OF Pitt was to i'm
pose upon the country burden suffi
GENTLY heavy to reduce the nation t.
abject poverty and slavery. The rob
sbers, in the persons of the accursee
s. 2 u.