The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-10-18

The following letter from the Hon. A.
l.. Morrison, of Santa Fe, N. NJ, re-
Gently appeared in one of our eX-
changes in reply to Father Henebry
OH the question of nationality and Ian
guage:
A few days ago clerical friend
kindly gave me a copy of the San
Francisco Leader, containing an al
legged reply to my letter to your excel
lent paper on Father Henebry's Nn-
called for and unjust animadversions
on the men of the Irish race who
through no fault Of theirs cannot
speak the language of their fathers.
The Father begins by saying:
''It will be necessary to establish the
true notion of nationality. contrast it
with some that are false, and then we
shall be in a position to discuss in a
clear light the differences separating
Mr.. Morrison and myself should such
a proceeding be necessary
My notion Of Irish nationality is
very simple and very brief. I desire
now, and have always desired, Free
independent Irish republic, ''of the
Irish people, by the Irish people, and
for the Irish people," and for them
alone without interference by any
power OH EARTH. Does Father Hene-
bry object to this? learned this doc
trine from the immortal Thomas Davis
long before 1 was of age when he gave
utterance to these immortal words:
Nationality is the summary name
for many things. 1t seeks literature
made by Irishmen and colored by our
scenery, manners, and character. 1t
would make our music sound in every
parish at twilight, our pictures sprinkle
the walls Of every house, and our poe
try and history sit at every hearth
stone 1t would thus create race of
men full of more intensely Irish char
acter and knowledge, and to that race
it would give Ireland. 1t would give
them the seas of Ireland to sweep with
their nets and launch ON with their
navy, the harbors of Ireland to receive
Il greater commerce than any island in
the world, the soil of Ireland to live
OH, by more millions than starve here
now, the fame of Ireland to enhance
by their genius and valor; their inde-
pendence and arms"
And if l might venture to add an
idea to this comprehensive view, l
would add the language which broke
like thunder over the shattered Saxon
ranks at the "Curlew Mountains" at
'the Yellow Ford" and at 'Benburb."
This kind of nationality would satisfy
me, but l do not know how it would
suit Father Henebry.
Father Henebry apparently objects
to my hatred Of England. Well, he has
a right to object, but that is matter Of
little consequence to me or my coun-
trymen, in whose hearts it is ruling
passion. Strange indeed, it would be
If it We're not. l have known thou
sands of patriotic Irishmen, but never
knew one in whose heart the deep, holy,
tender love of Ireland was not closely
intertwined with intense, undying ha-
tired Of her accursed oppressors. An
Irishman who merely loved Ireland
would have as little virility as a jelly
fish. l have not had the misfortune to
co-mingle with such creatures, but it
is conceivable" says the Father. that
England would grant us our indepen-
dence and so our hatred would die out
for want of a motive" Oh, no; it is
utterly inconceivable; it is neither
probable nor possible. In all our 700
years Of war, and truce, with England
she has never been aught but a trucu-
lent, cruel, savage eXterminator Of our
race. If her hellish intentions had been
carried out as she desired there would
not be one living soul of Irish blood on
earth today; therefore, l deny the pos
sibility of England ever granting our
independence.
But this all outside of Father Hene
bry's assertion that "When the tongue
is Irish the heart must needs lie lrisn