The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-03-09
1t is a crying shame that the Irish

1t is crying shame that the Irish
men in this country should have thus
far withheld their sympathy and sup
port from work in which they all
believe. Among the young wealthy
lrishmen or Irish-Americans in this
country, can we not find a few who
arc ready and willing to act as spon-
sors for their nations tongue? l be-
lieve we can. Will not some one an
proach these gentlemen with the prop-
oSition? l am confident that there are
in our midst Irishmen who, if thew
knew of this work and all the facts
connected with it, would willingly give
OF their abundance sufficient sum
to keep all the branches of the league
i'll healthy and active condition. A
greater service they cannot render to
Ireland. \ grander, better or more
lasting and glorious monument cannot
be erected to the memory of any Irish
man. Nor can a more fitting epitaph
be inscribed on his tomb than this:
He loved and helped to save his
mother tongue"
Fifty thousand dollars would suf-
flee to save Ireland's last and greatest
treasure. Half that amount would 90
far to establish the Irish language in
every home in Erin and thus make of
the dear old tongue rich and living
actually. l do not ask the question,
Can we give it? Rather, Shall we
give it? Kind reader, what shall be
your answer? Remember that YOU
are one of the many from whom some
little support is expected, If you are
an 1rishman these words have been
written for you, and the stirring ap-
peal made by the Gaelic League has
been addressed to you. This is your op-
portunity. 1t is now your turn to act.
Let your act speak louder than the
words you now read, and thus your
action will be manifestation of your
belief in the power and purity and
worth of the treasure which the league
is so heroically struggling to save
Yes, let your deed be an rmmistaken
evidence of your hearty approval of
the Leagues thanEless, unceasing and
lnrequited endeavors. Do not fear to
lead in such work. Much, if not ALL
will depend upon individual action.
Have the courage Of your convictions.
Fear no man, and do not let ridicule
rob you of your patriotism. Help the
league in it's great work. Get others
to aid: do something towards making
Ireland Irish.
Surely the society to whom this and
the accompanying appeal are now ad-
dressed will not allow them to pass
uiheeded. If the 40. H. is all that
believe it to be, it will stand by it's an
cient tongue and thus enable the men
of the Gaelic League to reap in
abundance the legitimate fruit of
their years of arduous and unselfish
labor
The feast day Of Ireland's Apostle
would be very proper time to begin
such work. Why not begin?
An Irishman.
The following is the Leagues appeal,
issued from Dublin, which speaks for
itself:
At n 1o,nofinnr hn1 IN,
House on May 25th, 1898, under the
presidency of the Lord Mayor, it was
resolved to issue an Appeal on behalf
of the Language movement to the Irish
race, and representative committee
was appointed to take charge of the
matter.
AS result of the action taken over
Fl $50 was subscribed
For years the League, with very lin
tied means at it's disposal, has been do
ing a national work. It has been en-
deavoring--not without considerable
successful save Ireland the disgrace
Of allowing her national language and
literature to perish. 1t has evoked a
widespread literary activity; it has set
itself to counteract, as far as possible,
4 system Of teaching which for two
generations has been robbing the peo-
pie of their self-respect by studiously
bringing them up in ignoranc of their
own country. It has already succeed
ed in lifting the national language into
prominent place in the public life of
the island, but it is painfully conscious
of how very much yet remains to be
done, and it now appeals with conf
dcnce to the Irish race to enable it to
carry the vitality important work upon
which it is engaged to a successful is
sue.
DOUGLAS HYDE,
President Gaelic League.
JAMES CASEY,
General Secretary.
Remittances should be sent to s. J.
Barrett, Hon. Treasurer of the Gaelic
League, "a Upper O'Connell street,
Dublin, or to the Irish Standard,
Minneapolis, MINI.