The Irish standard., 1901-01-05
A CENTURY OF IRISH HISTORY.

1t would require volumes to relate
the sad story of Ireland for the hun
dred years that elapsed between Jan
uary, 1901, and January, 19O1-a pc
riod embracing what is known as the
nineteenth century. On the very first
day of the century just ended Ireland
ceased to be a kingdom and became a
province, by being linked with Eng
land and Scotland as an integral part
of the United Kingdom of Great Brit
ain and Ireland. Some writer's claim
that Ireland lost her nationality as
soon as the act of legislative union
Went into operation on the opening of
the last century, While others con-
tend that she is still nation, despite
the fact that she has no parliament of
her own nor a flag that is recognized
by the Independent nations of the
earth. Be that as it may, RETROSPECT
tive glance ut Ireland during the past
hundred years may be interesting at
the beginning of the new century.
Everyone knows that the union was
brought about by bribery and intimi-
dation and against the wishes of the
vast majority of the Irish people who
were DISTINGUISHED ut the time and
without representation in their own
parliament. No sooner was the act
noScal t1ou non;nl O.rn,,nou ,,o,,v, -.
eously spoke against it, in the pres
ence OF armed troops. on behalf Of
his countrymen. and until his death he
never ceased from demanding IL repeal
of the odious measure. After he pass
ed away others sprang up from time
to time to demand restoration of
the Irish parliament, until celebrated
English statesman, w. Il. Gladstone
was forced by Il united Ireland under
the leadership of Charles Stewart Par
nell to pass Il Home Rule bill for Ire
land in the British House of Commons.
to be rejected by a majority of ten
to one in the British House of Lords.
The. legislative union has been Al
bane to Ireland, and she will never
be contented, prosperous nor happy
While it lasts. During the century
just passed Ireland became tile Niobe
of nations in reality. The prediction
of DR.. Johnson was literally fulfilled.
IF you unite with us. we will rob
YOU" Great Britain violated most
flagrlntly the solemn obligations ell
tered into with Ireland in the act of
union, and reduced the Green Isle to
beggary and starvation. Under George
Ill, George w and Victoria the coun-
try has suffered as no other country
on earth has suffered under alien rule,
with the sole exception of India.
The population of Ireland in 1901
was as large as it is in 1901. Instead
of being 15,O0O,OOO to-day it is only
100000. Poverty increased as the
population disappeared. Manufactures
and commerce have been destroyed by
the blighting laws of London, and the
bold peasantry, their country's PRIDE"
have been eXterminated to make room
for fat cattle for the British market.
Artificial famines have been produced
ny British legislation and millions
have fed the country With vengeance
in their hearts against their rascally
tyrants.
During the century some reforms
were reluctantly made by the alien
parliament After IN agitation of
over thirty years Catholic emanripa-
ton WAS granted to avert civil war;
the monstrous Anglican church in Ire
land has disestablished through terror
inspired by Fenianism; land laws were
passed through the efforts of parnell
and his party; but whatever was done
was done grudgingly by British states
men.
The United Irish League, inaugural
ed by VIM. O'Brien, has consolidated
the Irish nation into Il phalanx which
will Danish landlordism from the Isle
and restore the soil to the cultivators
thereof. The new century opens aus
piciously for Ireland and before it's
first quarter is over the Irish people
will be practically the rulers of their
own country. From the bottom of
our heart we wish Ireland happy
New Year, and hope to see her soon
take her proper place among the free
nations of the globe.