Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-13
Enthusiastic Meeting Held at A. o. H..
Hall Last Evening-Speaker of the
Evening Greeted in Most Cordial
Manner-The Address Delivered.

land and of the part played by them in
the history of the world. He spoke
with considerable emphasis upon the
devoutness of the Irishman manifest
ed in his great faithfulness to his re-
ligious belief. He also mentioned the
sturdiness of the sons of Erin in bat
tie and referred with pride to the fact
that throughout the long years of her
history these sons have never lifted
their hands to aid in waging an unjust
war. He referred in an eloquent man
ner to the teachings of the mother
country and urged that each son bear
himself at all times in such way as to
bring credit and honor to the name of
old Ireland.
Enthusiastic Meeting.
When Hugh q. Byrne, president Of
the A. O. H., called the meeting to or
der last evening the A. o. H. hall was
well filled and in a short time every
seat in the house was taken and
standing room was at a premium. Up
on the invitation of the chairman Rev.
Father James Foley with few appro-
pirate remarks introduced Father
O'Farrell, the speaker of the evening.
AS Father O'Farrell proceeded with
his address he was greeted from time
to time with most hearty applause
which betokened the great apprecia,
ton of the listeners and their belief
in the sentiments so ably and elo-
quently expressed throughout his en-
tire address. At the close of his re-
marks, upon the motion of Mr.. Byrne,
the chairman, vote OF thanks was ex-
tended to Father O'Farren by a unani-
nous vote of those present for his able
and instructive address and as token
of the appreciation of the members of
the A. o. H.
Father o'Farrell's Address.
Father O'Farrell said:
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies of the Auxil-
larry, members of the A. o. H., ladies
and gentlemen, am delighted to be
your guest and spokesman this even.
ing. The subject you have kindly as
signed me would loose the tongue of
the son of Erin. ireland and the Irish
People, is indeed an inspiring theme.
"The Emerald Isle is comparatively
a speck in the bosom of the Atlantic
ocean. Yet, she is a rich and rare
land, far famed in history, in story,
and in song. Her majestic rivers, ver-
dant hills, rich valleys, and mild eli
mate are the admiration of the world
and would they were all their own, af-
ford her people paradise Of pleasure.
Hence the Irishman sings to his ma
tive land, personifies her, land praising,
tells her,
"Old Ireland you're my jewel shore
My hearts delight, and glory.
Till time shall pass his empty glass
Your name shall live in story.
Sweet spot of earth that gave me
birth,
Deep in my soul l cherish
While life remains within these veins
A love that ne'er can perish
Motive is Blood.
"But after all the prime motive of
Irish love Is because of blood. The
race is the purest and Oldest in Eu.
rope, and from the dawn of history,
has ever been in the forefront of civili-
cation. Five hundred years before
Christ the Irish had a written code of
law, called the Brehon laws. Even
today these laws are acknowledged to
be the most perfect in ancient or
modern times. It is strange fact
that the constitution of the United
States is very similar to that of an
cient Ireland. Was that Irish consti-
tuition the model of our own American
charter of liberty? Ireland 1900 years
ago was real republic and flourished
under democratic form of govern
ment. There were then no lords,
dukes, or earls in Ireland. There was
no aristocracy but that of culture and
learning. Her historians and bards
were her only noblemen. All the peo-
pie were equal before the law and any
man was eligible to the highest office
of state.
Devcut in Belief.
"The paf,n priests kept the inhabi.
tants so de out in belief, and pure in
morals that cultured Greece called the
Ireland of tn day the Holy Isle.
And todey .a...o lnocker says, with a
sheer:
can Irish church member will. nav
but will not pray.
What SANDER! Why for the last
three thousands years Pat, God bless
him, has never missed his morning or
night prayers.
Eyes, the Irish could always be re-
lied on to pray and pay and fight in
the right way and at the right time.
AS nation they never have
been conquered. The empire
of pagan Rome spread ov-
er most of Europe and the east, hut
it could never find footing in Ireland.
In fact, the valiant clansmen of my
motherland, so harrassed the Romans,
in England and Scotland, that they
the Romans-built wall on the
Northumbrian coast to fence out the
resistless Irish.
Mo Unjust War.
"And best of all, our race, in it's long
history, has never engaged in any un.
just war, nor in war of mere con
quest. They never attempted with
battle-ax and speer benevolently to
assimilate' another people. Inc only
benevolent assimilation accomplished
by. our race, is performed by the
daughters of Erin. Queenly in mien