The Irish standard., 1902-04-05
by the devil and registered in hell.
Irish Catholics We're downtrodden

by the devil and registered in hell.
Irish Catholics were downtrodden,
debased in every way, d they We're
considered unentitled to the right Of
living. Yet, in spite of this, English
men sometimes wonder at the depth of
Irish hate, the depth of Irish anger.
In such downtrodden country it was
practically impossible for son of the
country to live. He was excluded
from Parliament, the militia, law ana
minor offices. He could not own land
or inherit it. Rewards We're placed
OH the heads of the priests. monks and
school teachers. Prosecution and in
forming upon Catholics was an honor
able service under the Government.
ut was in 1897 that young O'Con-
nell returned from his studies on the
continent. He was filled with indig-
nation against the laws with which ne
was to come in contact. He vowed
to change the aspect of things in his
native land. He resolved to convince
his fellow countrymen that they had
the rights of free men,
Speaking of the rebellion of 1898
Father Fallon said: rebellion met
O'Connell's eyes. When the insurrec-
ton was crushed he saw his people
crushed to the earth. Is it any sur
prise that he placed himself before
them to follow him in one grand effort
to free his country? O'Connell made
an appeal to the people. 1t was a big
task, as the people were disheartened
and disorganized. They saw too mucn
bloody agitation which was unsuccess-
full in spite Of Irish courage and Irish
patriotism. Other great men who had
sought to free their country had lost.
But where that glorious galaxy Of
strength and eloquence fought and lost,
O'Connell fought and won. The clergy
looked with not too much favor on the
plans of the new liberator. To many
Ireland appeared dead, but O'Connell
Informed the world that ireland was
not dead but sleeping. He followed
plan new to Ireland as we'll as to all
other lands. In face of the torpid con-
dition Of Ireland, in spite of the lack of
interest of the people, he plunged into
his chosen profession of law, and the
hills of Ireland re-echoed to the tones
of voice that could not be hushed
Packed juries were fought and JUS
tees defied. 1t was surprise to
everyone, who expected to see him i'm
'prisoned. He did not know what It
was to falter or to weaken, and he
gained the point. He turned his at
tention to wider fields. He determined
to agitate and across the armament of
Ireland he wrote the words .agitate!
agitatev From that moment O'Con-
nell was the first in all the world to
define it's limits. He preached no
violence'-a strange doctrine to men
who had spent their lives in secret So
cieties and in caverns. The only true
leader for Ireland is Catholic leader.
We have had many Protestant lead
ers who did great work for Ireland,
but their good was temporary. A Cath
Ole leader is the only one to lead Irish
people to permanent happiness"
O'Connell succeeded in bringing an
Irish Catholic priest into Irish national
politics. Peasant and priest were
welded together in one unanimous
body. He formed societies, the Catho-
lie League, Catholic Board, Catholic
Association, the New Catholic Associa.
ton. When the Government decided
on suppression O'Connell gave instant
obedience, but had another society to
replace the old. O'Connell's difficulties
when obtaining entrance to the Brit
ish. House Of Commons were told by
the lecturer and how O'Connell refused
to take the oath. An oath by the way
said the lecturer against which lit
tie agitation is now going on.
He told of the meeting called for
Clontarf at which $4,000 We're ex-
pected to be present. This meeting
was prohibited by the Government,
who had poured troops into Ireland.
Wellington, a man whose glory at
Waterloo should have sufficed, pur-
posely delayed publication of the pro-
hibition until late in the afternoon Of
the day previous to the meeting. Men
were on their way from al over Ire
land. There were no telegraphs then
but O'Connell sent out messengers and
the men returned to their homes.
Wellington might have vanquished
Napoleon and crushed the French
power, but vanquishing O'Connell was
another matter. The English Govern
ment We're greatly disappointed, the
meeting did not take place.
Father Fallon gave a brief outline
of the closing days of O'Connell, Of