The Irish standard., 1902-06-28
FINED For SPEAKING IRISH.

FINED FOR SPEAKING IRISH.
From the earliest period of the Eng
lish invasion, the efforts of the alien
garrison in Ireland were directed to-
wards the extinction of the native
language and the substitution for it
of the foreign tongue. Enactments to
this end were passed and enforced
without stint, in pursuance Of which
all Irish books and manuscripts We're
ruthlessly destroyed, wherever found.
The English settlers were forbidden to
use the language, under the severest
penalties; the teaching of it to their
children was made an offence punish
able with fine and forfeiture of goods
ard liberty; while, by one of the STAT
utes of an Anglo-Irish parliament,
passed in the reign of Edward Ill,
the fact that any person understood
and used only the Irish language was
declared to be prima facie evidence
that such individual was a disorderly
person, and suspicious character,
whom any officer of the law was au-
thorized to arrest and imprison with
out requiring further proof, says the
Irish-American.
Let it not be imagined that these
enactncnts are now merely relics Of
the dark ages, which, in this advanced
twentieth century are allowed to rest,
obsolete and imperative on the pages
of the English statute books. That
they can be very quickly brought into
condition of "pernicious activity"
so far as Ireland is concerned, was
shown, few days ago, in Dublin,
where a respectable citizen, Mr.. Will
liam Shortall, residing at No. 30
Bachelors Walk, while conversing
with a friend, Mt the corner Of O'Con-
nell street, near his own residence, was
pcrcmptorily ordered by policeman to
"move on" because he and his friend
(both being members Of the Gaelic
League) were using exclusively the
Irish language in their interchange Of
ideas.
The "bobbie" probably suspected
that they might be couple of invad-
ing Beers: for on Mr.. Shortall's III
forming him, in the mildest Gaelic,
that, like the Bansha goat, they were
not intent on committing any crime,
"either petty or high treason" the
Jealous officer determined to take NJ
chances, promptly arrested the daring
speaker of the ''sweet tongue of bards
and sages," and hauled him before
Police Magistrate Wall, who, being
"K. c." and, therefore, bound to up
hold the supremacy of ''the English
crown and connection equal
celebrity fined him in the sum Of five
shillings, sterling coin Of the raalm'
for his daring use of a language 50
selitiOus.
Mr.. Shortall. not being disposed t.
give up the fight. at first blush, sued
out writ for assault and illegal ar
rest against the constable; but, on the
case being brought up before the re-
cor,ler of Dublin. that official Dandy
Informed the plaintiff that his case
was barred by the statute If Edward
III: and that-well. he had better not
do it again, as the next fine would
probably he heavier than the first.
After this. who will dare to say that
the Irish are not we'll and thoroughly
"roycrncu?" If the Castle" officials
represented by "l74 C" and Magls-
trate WalD should. by amy miscllance'
fail to .'raund up" any often l'r against
the style and dignity Of Edward OF
axc-Coburg. of the present day, ali
that is needed is to fall back on the
well-tilled arsenal Of penal enactmen;s
left by the Plantagenet Edward OF
seven centuries ago. ana. b!-the
quarry is bagged. with neatnsss ami
dispatch.
Among the Gaelic I.eaguers there
was some talk of bringing the affair
under the notice of parliament; but
the members would do we'll to reject
that such action would be like suing n
certain parsonage (who obj cts t. show
ing his feet before his own sulphurous
court. The Leaguers can employ their
time and efforts more protttably III
building up and perfecting their or
ganization, and laboring for the speed
Ter advent Of that good time coming,
when the bloody old British empire
will be so thoroughly smashed, that