Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1901-04-06
Hibernians of Alabama Enthu-
siastic Over His Great
Tribute.
Does Not Doubt That the Cause
of Freedom Will Ever
Prevail.
CLASSMATE OF OUR JUDGE TOEEY

Hon. Alex Troy, who is noted as one of
the most eminent and able members of
the Alabama bar, and was classmate
and warm friend of Judge Sterling B.
Toney and the late Alpheus Baker, deliv-
cred an address at the St. Patrick's day
celebration and banquet of the Hibernian
societies of Montgomery that burned
with eloquence and patriotism. "The
Irish Race in the Sunny South" was his
subject, and so enthusiastic were those
who heard him, and prompted by the
fact that such an able effort should not
go unrecorded, many of those present
joined in request for the manuscript of
the address. Copies were received here
by Pat Bannon and Judge Toney, and by
them given to the Kentucky Irish Ameri-
lean. Believing that our readers will all
appreciate the lofty sentiments expressed,
we therefore publish Mr.. Troy's grand
speech in full:
A land without ruins is land without
memories, land without memories is
land without history. The triumphs of
might are transient; they pass and are
forgotten. The deepest sufferings of right
are craven deepest on the chronicle of
nations. 1t is commendable virtue to
take pride in the glorious achievements
of our ancestors. Let the work be noble;
let the exertion be for the uplifting and
freedom of the human race, and be it
crowned with success or blighted by fall
ure, the actors will live in history. What
rich legacy has been given us of the
Irish race in the immortal names of the
patriots who lived and died that ireland
might take its place among the nations
of the earthl The battles that she fought
have been battles of freedom, and do
not doubt that ultimately the cause of
freedom will prevail,
For freedoms battle once begun,
Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son,
Though baffled oft, is ever won.
After the rude "blast of war; had
blown in our ears, our Southland lay
PROSTATE and desolate. 1t was a land of
ruins and a land of memories, ruined
homes where had dwelt the Southern
gentlemen, dispensing hospitality, now
only memory. To this beautiful coun-
try, to this warm, sunshiny cline, as fair
as
The isles of Geece,
Where burning Sappho loved and sung,
Where grew the arts Of war and peace,
Where Delos rose and Phoebus sprung,
had come the Irish emigrant to cast
his fortune and to exercise that freedom
of thought and that liberty of action the
cruel laws of England denied him at
home. Here he could give vent to his
love of freedom and hatred of tyranny,
and thus, prior to the Revolution, we
find him aiding and abetting the cause of
the colonies against the unjust claims of
England. Some of them were present at
Charlotte on May 20, 1775, and took part
in the adoption of the Mecklenberg
declaration of independence. But before
we tell of their heroic conduct and that
of their descendants, let us pause for a
moment and turn to that country ''in the
lap of the ocean set" from which they
came,
The land where the ruins are spread
And the living tread light on the hearts
of the dead.
Heartless oppression, CALLING tyranny,
vindictive hate and relentless persecution
for centuries on the part of England to-
ward Ireland have caused the voluntary
exile of countless thousands of the chill
dren of Erin from the homes of their
fathers to seek asylums and shelter
among other peoples. Shut out at home
by law from places of honor, and denied
even t e poor privileges of carving out
destiny by study or toll, do you marvel
that, with all his love of country intense
fed, the exile fees to other lands to
enjoy that freedom and liberty denied
him at home, or that every generous
country opens its arms to give him well
conner
No separate people can claim, no one
country can appropriate him. On the con-
trary, he rapidly appropriates the coun-
try of others, assimilates himself with its
people and becomes part and parcel of
its Government, contributing to its gran
deur and its glory, its wise counsellor in
peace and its intrepid defender in war.
AS so truly and so beautifully said of the
Irish people by the eloquent Baker, "In
their native Emerald Isle of the Sea, de-
spoiled by con6scations, enthralled by
injustice and tormented by temptations,
they have, nevertheless, in cheerful pow
erty, showed the world how to live with
honor and to die with faith. And when
driven by oppression from the green
fields of their fathers they have also
taught mankind the pricelessness of
their fidelity to the land Of their adop-