The Irish standard., 1900-04-07
BRrTONS LAUD HIBERNIANs.
Tho Shamrock OF Erin IS Now an
Imperial Emblem.

Sil vi llle OlllCaSO NHrOnlCic, mas TIC
following to say anent Irish affairs in
his weekly letter of March %:
St. Patrick is now. or at least was or
Saturday last, the patron saint OF the
Nnited Kingdom. In comparison
with him St. George of England, St
Andrew of Scotland and St. David OF
Wales are, to use an Americanism, but
mine spots" They may have per
formed extraordinary things, but all
their wonders put together do not ap-
proach the miracle OF converting the
stolid and self-suficient Briton to an
acknowledgment OF the superiority OF
the Irish race. They may be sorry here
after for this apologizing of the Irisl,
kelt as a reflection on themselves, but
as the English are today the most emo
tional and hysterical people in Europe,
they will bow down to him again, when
the 1nniskillings, Dublin fusilicrs or
Connaught rangers saves the day for
them with their reckless valor. ST.
Patrck's day, in this year OF grace 1000
will be memorable forever in the bag
iology OF England. The queen and the
people OF the country have made his
anniversary an international holiday
which is more than any OF the popes
ever did, although they are continually
talking about the Irish as their always
and everywhere faithful children This
glorihcation of our saint by the Briton
was manifested by the wearing OF the
green little shamrock OF Ireland.
And it was not across the channe!
alone that THE chosen leaf of bard and
chief was sportcd; wherever the Br-
fish flag flew the shamrock, or its best
attainable substitute, was proudly worn.
And all this happened because Irish
regiments fought like Irisllmcn! This
royal and racial acknowledgment OF
their courage and merit might have
been made long, long years ago, but,
although we here are not particularly
grateful for the compliment it is pos
slbly better late than never. 1t is not
all unpleasing thing to see the whole
British empire going wild over the
heroism OF the Irish soldier OF the
queen and to hear OF the shamrock
being drowned jubilantly and proudly
wherever the union jack tloatcd 1t
has been the custom OF English writers
to Is ~, al. 49,: I
race ever since Henry II planted his
invading foot in Wexford. over 700
years ago; can they do it any more,
after their present cbulliton of cnthusi-
asn and praise, without being branded
as towards and ialsihcrs? What
should we be without our Irisl?" asks
the London Chronicle, and its own re-
ply is: Let the soldiers answer, from
Wellington to 'Bobs.' that heroic Sue
ccssor OF the simple great ones gone.
whose only son won the cross of valor
at the cost OF his life Could there be
a more suggestive confession OF Eng
lands military impotence ii our Irish
the right when proves and victory
were needed? Who now should be
the predominant partner" in the ma
tional and political firm called the
United Kingdom? Lord Roscbcry, |
think il was. who said some time ago
that England held that position In
the light oi what her majesty has said.
and Of the cxubtrancc OF her worship
ing subjects. Ireland plainly is entitled
to that distinction; for what would Eng
land be without our Irish?" Possibly
the time is not lar distant when the
present junior and silent partner will
become head OF the house, and do the
directing as we'll as the fighting for the
imperial combination.
Never before was there sucl, a de
mand Tor shanrocks as on Saturday
last and the two or three preceding
days, and when St Patrlck's day in the
morning dawncd upon London they
could scarcely be had for love or
money The immense consignmcnts to
the flower shops OF Covcnt Garden had
either been "bcspokc." or the limited
quantities on hand were held at prices
prohibitive to the ordinary lingo. For
a little sprig 81 was not too much to
ask 1t was true what London paper
sung:
Oh, Paddy, dear, and did We hear the
news that's goin round,
More shamrocks will be worn this year
than grows on Irish ground
And that is a mild statement OF the
demand for the emblem Great bales,
containing masses OF the dear little
plant were being continually received
at Covent Garden and still, according
to the London Daily Mail. "stallholders
there are shaking their heads gloom
ingly, for in spite OF the fact that spc
cial commissioners have been dis.
patched to Ireland with orders to bring
back all the shamrock they can lay
hands on there is no doubt that there
will be great shortage OF the little
green plant Every kind OF trefoi
was, OF course, sold for shamrock. and
at a, price, too, which put to shame the
choice bouttoniers of the greenhouse
Common clover, which hitherto had