The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-18

In Belfast. Between Liverpool and Bel
fast you greet. or it greets you, the Isle
Of Man." situated in the North Sea. Many
are the legends told OF this famous
Isle. The most picturesque. and laUghable
Of these legends Is as follows: The Nsle
Of Man at one time was part of Ire
land, resting OH the shore OF Lingh
Neagh and 1t seems that at a certain
period In the worlds history the country
around Lingh Neagh was inhabited by
Irish giants. One OF them was married
to sweet little Irish girl who took to
her lord and master, her mother. as part
of the marriage portion. Soon the irish
giant and his mother-in-law had con
troversy over some domestic matter, and
he in his frenzy took up a portion of
his estate, cast 1t at the mother-1n-laW.
missed her. but it landed in the North
Sea. and is now known as the Isle Of
Man.
Ireland is a beautiful country Nature
has been most lavish; her mountains
her hills and her wales are the admira-
ton of everyone. From the north to the
south. from the east to the west, the
eye feasts on natures gifts, and mans
endeavors. TWO conditions of the Irish
people prevented themselves and re-
ccived some attention. First, the religious
condition of the Irish, and, secondly,
the material condition of tho Irish.
ISLE OF SAINTS.
ireland has been we'll called thA isle
of Saints" Her people are profoundly
religious, honest with their God, and
honest with their fellow man. The tenets
of Christianity which st. Patrick brought
to the Irish in the year 1872, took a deep
and firm root land to-day are full OF
life and youthful vigor. The Irish child
resting on its mothers bosom is taught
to adore Christ, to venerate His Blessed
Mother, and to initiate the lives of the
saints 1t Is a we'll known historic fact,
the faith planted by ST. Patrick was not
of a temporary nature but lasting. Where
can the students of religious history find
nation that has remained as firm IN
the Christian faith as the Irish nation
Prosecutions came. yet the faith re-
mained the same Schisms came. and the
faith Wavered not; starvation and death
itself came. but the faith OF the people
remained the same. Burning down the
temples, which had been erected in honor
of the living Cod removed 1t not; star
walton, the promise of gold and silver,
threats of the scaffold and the numbering
of Gods ministers removed not the
heaven born faith of the Irish people. The
humanity within US. prompts US admire
the heroic deed. no matter by whom
performed. Living up to and dying for,
If necessary, a Fundamental truth has
ever captivated. and held the admiration
of mankind. Then. l say, honor and
praise. and benediction. and the tcnderest
and purest gratitude of our hearts to
those our Catholic ancestors, who fought
the good fight and kept the faith; who
stood firmly and defended with their
hearts blood their holy faith IN the dark
days Of persecution. Who Is the free man
who can read unmoved those cruel and
tyrannlcal "penal laws; laws so dis
graceful and SO dishonorable to all legis-
lation laws SO detested by all civilized
mankind; laws so oppressive. so VIM
dictIve and 30 Internal as to prohibit
man from serving his God according to
the dictates of his conscience, Honor. ]
repeat. to the memory of the brave sons
and chaste daughters OF grand old Cath
ole Ireland, who maintained and upheld
and kept their magnificent faith.
throughout the terrible ordeal Of god
less persecution unparalleled In the an
mas of history, HOW glorlously they be-
queathed to us that inestimable legacy.
that divine inheritance sealed In their
agonies and their blood. But the morning
sun of civilization has expelled the ''penal
clouds" and to-day the Irish people ara
free In tho exercise of their religious
tenets If mistake not, King Edward
the Seventh will never sanction a law OPP
pressive or dlstasteful to Ireland's Cath
olicity. To-day we find churches and
schools and academies everywhere Tho
moral and mental training of the young
go hand In hand, and IN the future. as in
the past. Ireland will send out holy men
and women to expel tho darkness In other
lands, and who will preach Christ, and
Christ crucified.
MOST EXCELLENT CONDITION.
! am more than happy to be able to
state that the most material condition OF
ireland Is most excellent Her cities and
towns are otticered by men OF marked