The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-05-11
A pAN-1R1sH CONGRESS.

lucEe ought 10 Ue fdu-lFlSu UeLu-
onstration at the worlds fair of 1903
in st. Louis. Such seems to be the
opinion Of observant, thoughtful Irish
men with whom we have spoken on
the subject.
The exact purpose of such gather
ing cannot now be defined. Two full
years will elapse before st. Louis
holds the proposed exhibition to COM
memorate that great real estate trans
action known as "The Louisiana Pur-
chase" In that time much may occur
to affect the position and prospects Of
the Irish race. They may be, as at
present, hopeful and resolute, hiding
their time for the moment when ENG,
lands difficulty" may be, as it was
in 1882, "Ireland's opportunity" The
Irish people may, on the other hand,
be seething with indignation at some
British outrage, committed by Tory
government intent on provoking dis
turbance in Ireland in order to make
political capital in England. The gov
eminent which devastates the Trans
vaal, which declares that the Boer
shall not be left "shred of indepen-
dence," would act in like manner to-
ward Ireland if it dare to do so with
out provoking prompt retaliation.
But apart from the revolutionary or
the political aspects Of the case, it is
proper and expedient that there should
be grand gathering of the Irish race,
composed of representative men from
the old land herself and from every
country on the earth's surface in
which the "sea-divided Gaels" have
found foothold. 1t would be an i'm
pressive sight, when assembled be-
meath the starry banner, Irishmen
from Minneapolis would grasp hands
with 1rishmen from Melbourne, and
the entire race, MS there fully repre-
sented. would "form in heavens
sight an arch of peace" With what
fervor would all sing in chorus, "Who
Fears to Speak of 1882" and how
heartily would all declare, with reso-
luton akin to that of the Polish
patriots, that Ireland is not dead yet!
1t might be said that the proposed
assemblage would resemble those
councils that throughout the centuries
have done so much to guide the polity
Of the Catholic church and maintain
it's unity and vigor. Like them. this
council or convention might be full of
inspiration and beneficent in it's eff
fects. 1t would demonstrate to all ma
tons the power, the unity and the
vitality Of the Irish race, which Is now
a leading factor in the worlds prog
ress.
We simply draw attention to the
propriety Of holding a demonstration
of the kind Indicated. A widely scat
tered race like the Irish would make
It's influence felt IL its representatives
came together on such a memorable
occasion. The American-Irish Histori-
NuA LASooSlhIlOAs laC &AuClcuL oluCl VI
Hibernians and similar organizations
in the United States, composed exclus-
lively Of Irishmen and their descend
ants, should take the matter into con-
sideration, and If deemed advisable
by the remnant of the race in the Old
Land, these societies should encourage
the scheme suggested and advocate it
in the columns of the Irish-American
press. Leading men Of the race in
Ireland, the Australian colonies, Eng
land and Scotland, and the Dominion
of Canada would be certain to come
thousands of miles over sea and land
to forward the claims of Ireland to
parliamentary or national indepen-
dence.