The Irish standard., 1902-07-12

appeal to our countrymen here in the
United States, and our people respond
ed with a spontaneity so marvellous and
SO unsurpassed that even some of the
Oldest veterans of the Irish national
fight have declared that never in their
memory have they seen spring up such
splendid spirit of enthusiasm, based
on logical principles, than that which
has been displayed since Mr.. William
Redmond and myself came to America.
That in itself will be an encourage
ment to our countrymen when we go
back to them. We came to America to
tell our countrymen here that Ireland
is united from the center to the sea
(cheels); that today there existed
1900 splendid branches of the new OF.
ganization, Il mighty bulwark of de-
Tense for our people in the hour of
persecution; we declared to Irish
Americans that once more the spirit Of
fight had entered into Irish hearts, that
the memories of eight years of internal
strife had passed away, and our people
We're again inspired by a lofty desire
to look up with hope to the future;
and having delivered that message to
our countrymen here, we go back to
deliver the message of 1rish-4Americans
to the old race at home that the United
Irish League can now not only be rec
ogniZed as the organizat ton of the peo-
pie of Ireland in Ireland, but has been
absolutely accepted as the national Or
ganization of the Irish in America
(cheers).
Gentlemen, why was our mission a
success in America? 1t WAS because
we came here i'll no spirit Of antagon-
ism against any existing organization.
We came here to dislpprOve of no
principles which some men hold dear.
We came here to attack no section Of
our countrymen, no matter how we
might disagree with them as to policy
and method.
We came here to tell them honestly
and frankly the condition of the coun'
try at home, to put before them the
sound and sensible views of the Irish
race on Irish soil. We wished good
luck and Godspeed to all men and to
all classes of organizations working in
their own way and OH their own lines
for the good Of Ireland, and we asked
every man and all men to so apprcci-
ate our work and our motives and al
low the Irish people TO hear us for our
cause. The Irish people have heard us
for our cause, and their Judgment has
been given by the practical establish
ment in America of nearly $50 branch
es Of the United Irish League in the
short space of three months (applausc).
Gentlemen, l know that there are
many men in America who think that
tile means which we are operating to-
day for the good of Ireland are not suf
ficiently sharp and decisive. We do
not asperse the motives, nor do we at
tack the principles of the mon WIN
hold that view.
myself am of opinion that it is al
ways IL good thing in Ireland to have
not only what is known as the consti-
tutional movement. but to lave also in
existence Il physical force party, even
if that spirit is never concrctcd into
action. 1t is we'll to remember that
Henry Grattan maintained the indie
pendence of his parliament because he
was able to threaten England with or
ganizcd military rover of the Vol
unteers (chcers).
But, gentlemen, we in Ireland today
in the United Irish League have not
only to deal with the great question
of national liberty that must come
some time. but for Which we have to
wait. but we have to deal with grca.
social evils-tlc paramount one has
been mentioned tonight by Father Nc
Erlain. and that is tile great question
of emigration. We must do something
to staudcll this great social wounN
which is forcing the best bl, oil Of our
country to be drained out of the colllh
try year after year. We see the best
OF our youth cross the Atlantic yeRr
after year; we see the brain and the
sinew of our people being utilized in
the large industrial centcrs of England
and Scotland; we sec our country neg
lectcd and deserted year after year;
we sec our people becoming the heW-
ers OF wood and the drawers of water
in England and Scotland, and surely
no sensible man would ask us to sit
despair until the opportunity has been
given our peuple to strike that blow
which | trust in God it will be our for
tune to effectively strike in our day
and generation.
Let us do all we can and everything
we can while we may, let us 81
utilize the opportunities and take atl-
vantage of the circumstances that of,
fer themselves to us today and win
whatever concessions we may, pending
the time when Ireland will be able tC
relieve herself of the powerful despot
ism of English aggression CHEERS.
Gentlemen, Ireland is not able to
fight for her liberty today. 1t is q