The Washington times., 1902-12-08

ance as he stood before his auditors and
pleaded the Irish cause in words Of elo-
quence. He said.
ireland Is a country blessed with a
fertile soil. with water power unsur-
passed in any portion OF the world
1T has better harh9rs and more OF
them than any country OF equal area.
and yet the Irish people thrive In every
country except their own. Why is H.?
Why does the youth and flower OF the
Irish manhood emigrate as soon as he or
she can gather enough money to pay
their passage to America? Something
must be radically wrong, and so IL is.
II is the merciless and despotic govern
ment under which an Irish citizen be-
comes worse than a slave to the land
lords Of Great Britain.
EmigTate to America.
1t has been estimated that within the
last fifty years more thar 90 900 OF the
Irish peasantry have emigrated TO this
country. 1t IS only fair to presume that
their service is worth an average or
$LOOO per year. By their emigration Ire
land has lost $50 900 ,O00 annually ever
since their native land was forsaken for
the newer one, and in fifty years this
would amount TO the enormous sum OF
So OO0. 100000.
gun another example Of the so-caIIed
English justice is found in the recent
resurrection Of law passed in 1860 un-
der the regime Of King Edward III
which provides for the arrest and i'm
prlsonment Of petty lawbreakers. va
grants, and the like. BY recourse TO
ms tiIlS ancient DIT Of legislation. and its
oi ireland have incarcerated in their
prisons not only leaders OF the Home
hule party. but libere l-mfnded members
OF the press who have dared 10 voice
Ihelr opinions In the columns Of their
papers. There Is at present a noble wo-
man, the owner Of IL influential paper
VINO Is ianguishing in an Irish prison be.
cause she would not promise 10 convert
her mind TO an English way Of thinking
AGAIN, l ask you. is this justice?
Sees Success Ahead.
And now, after twenty-one years OF
this struggle. believe 1 can see success
ahead With home rule established and
parliament sitting In Dublin compcsed
OF Irish gentlemen competent and willing
10 deal honestly and fairly with the AZ
fairs OF the island, / see a bright and
brilliant future. see the neglected fields
becoming greener day by day: see new
cottages and well-ordered farms; I see
happier faces and a rapidly increasing
population The money received in taxes
viii be devoted to education at home and
to the uplifting ana Dettermant CT the
irish peasant. The ruins Of a thousand
castles viii be rebuilt, the country and
lts people viii take on a fresh impetus.
ana our banners shall fly as proudly and
as Sloriously as any in the world.
ireland would 30 happier and richer
and England would be no poorer if the
country she has willfully and Grim .naIlv
misgOverned for zoo year. were tomorrow
endowed again with the God-given right
OF liberty. Liberty is the greatest con-
serVauye force In the government OF mer
Plea for sympathy.
Mr. Blake and plead to you here to-
night to extend your sympathies across
the Atlantic 10 one Of the Oldest civilized
lands; to an ancient and once independ-
ent people. striving always and ever to
regain her national birthright Of free
dom; endeavoring today by moral means
TO obtain that which is hers by inherited
right; that which her children have never
abandoned and will never voluntarily
surrender; that without which she can
never freely and faithfully fulfu the
mission Of her destiny among civilized
mankind; that justice and nature have
made tne lOyeliest land on earth. the
home Of a peaceful. contented and pros
porous Irish nation"
As the speaker took bis seat. Terence
V. Powderly, in a brief speech, proposed
a resolution OF thanks TO senator Pat
tersOn for his services as chairman OF the /
meeting. He asked President William F.
Downey. OF the local branch, TO place the
resolution before the assembly. Il vas
adopted by unanimous vote.
After the audience was dismissed an /
impromptu reception was held by the |
ENJOYS Of the stage. over half the guests /
were introduced IL them.