The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-03-09
and who had the manhood and decencv


to admit it. These men are to be con-
graduated for having acted in accord
ance with their convictions.
The press, too, TOOK swords against the
Gaelic League, and so the move to re-
store to Ireland her native speech met
with malicious opposition. Ignorance
and a false shame, rank i'll their ori
gin, are now the chief obstacles low
crng over the minds of many of our
people Shame is blushing at her own
folly, whilst ignorance is tottcring
upon her crumbling throne. They cam
not possibly exist much longer under
the shifting darts of 'The Sword of
Light guided by the unerring and
fearless ''leader." Ignorance has done
more to impede the work of the Gaelic
League than has the united OPPOSE
ton of all other agencies, including the
notorious school board and the no less
notorious doctors Of Trinity college.
No doubt the members of the Gaelic
League will see to it that this ignor-
ance receives proper treatment during
it's last hours, and that it will not
be separated in death from it's worthy
predecessors. Thus shall it be shown,
notwithstanding the assertion of So
called doctor of Trinity college, that
the Irish language is not "a Dismal
Swamp"
Yes, bitter opposition was met, not
only from the enemies of Ireland, but
even from the larger bulk Of the Irish
people at home and abroad. With the
honorable exception of the A. o. H,
what have the millions of Irish in this
country done for the Gaelic League?
The attempt to brighten the Gaelic
League was failure. Quietly, sys-
tematically, and perseveringly, these
men have kept to their work. They
have proved themselves equal to the
eNigency Of the circumstances.
True courage is never demonstrative.
Like still waters, it runs deep, and
needs but the occasion to manifest it's
power. 10 man the organizers of
this campaign have remained true to
their great undertaking. The Gaelic
League is doing much-needed nation
nj work and it is the bolrnden duty of
the Irish race to give it the necessary
support.
The Leagues appeal to the Irish race
tor the financial aid required to car
ry on the work has been responded to
by few. The amount collected is not
sufficiently adequate to enable the
league to carry OH the work in keep
ing with it's program The language
movement is daily extending and, con-
scquently, it's expenditures are ever in
crcasing. The editor of the Irish
World, and branch of the league in
Buenos Ayres, South America, have
been for long time and still are, the
chief stay and support of the league.
l may not be wrong in stating here
that more money has come from these
two sources than from all others. A
few determined Irishmen in South
America have contributed more than
have the millions in the United States.
The A. o. II. excepted, Irishmen of the
United States cannot grow proud over
that statement. We have vet to learn
how to fight our own battles. AS
people, we have not vet grasped the
inspiration of the hour. We are shame
fully slow in this matter because we
have through our own fault grown
sceptical and apathetic. A few Irish
men, it is true, have shown their es-
TEEN for their tongue by liberal do
nations. But why, may ask, is the
good done limited to few individuals,
since the cause is one of the greatest,
most important, most sacred that ever
occupied the attention of our people in
the old land? Is it not the truest and
best that ever winged its way to the
Irish race? That something more en-
couraging was expected is shown in
recent letter Of one of the vice pres
idents Of the league DR.. O'Hickey, to
the editor of the Claideam. He says:
''The language movement has now
reached stage where it cannot possi-
bly, be carried on without considerable
funds. Hard work, self sacrifice, I'M
wearying devotion, concentrated and
organized effort have built up the
movement, and made it what it is to-
day. 1t is the creation of humble but
trieless workers, struggling incessant-
ly without fee or reward, devoting to
the language propaganda every mo-
ment they could from the task of earn
in a livelihood, and sustained through
all difficulties, reverses and discour-
agemcnts by the ideal of an Irish Ire
land. A great and widespread move
ment, one that is bound to have far
reaching consequences, to profoundly
influence the future of the nation, has
been built up with little or no
funds. But although move
mcnt may be begun and car
ried on in small way by voluntary
workers, Il great movement such as
the language movement now is cannot
be so carried on, no matter what en-