The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-07-11

narrow i'll the range OF human effort:
Were once the Supplying influence of
foreign control removed, We're once
Ireland to take charge of her own ma
tional affairs. it would mean the start
ing up into sudden life of IL thousand
dormant energies, spiritual, intellec-
tual, artistic. social, economic. and
human.
The long history of oppression and
moderation in Ireland has not only
not cXtinyuished the flame of Irish
feeling and patriotism. but has served
to kindle it. to make it more glowing
to-day than ever before. Oppression
and injustice only intiame the spirit OF
nationality.
But the Irish race has survived this
black deluge of suffering and plumber
and it now energies from that long
eclipse with redoubled strength, with
renewed energy. and with undimmed
hope. 1t has survived the butcheries
of Elizabeth and Cromwell. the per-
fidy of William, the Punishment and
murder of it's leaders. the awful tor
trre of penal laws, the destruction
and plumber of its last chapel. and the
loss of its last acre of land. ever re-
sisting. until it has at last lived to see
the dawning of Il brighter day-a day
of release from the bonds of servitude
and of emancipation from the slavery
of unrequitted toll:
When we reflect for Il moment upon
the cruelty of this eternal curse of
financial bondge. our hearts so out in
sympathy for this oppressed and
down-trodden people. What might not
the unjust rent. the excessive tribute
wrung for many generations from a
needy and helpless people, have done,
through accumulation and the natural
law of increase and development to-
ward averting the famine-tragedy
and the widespread desOlation and
suffering which have SCARED Irish
all the changes of time-the plots and
instructions. the struggles and the
repression. the famine and the great
migration-the peasantry of Ireland
have chung fast to the one faith that
the land belongs to them.
And now this desire which has
been the object of all these centuries
of toll. endurance and perseverance is
at last to he realized. England has
her eyes open to the fact that her
Irish experiment has been and ever
will! be a failure. that the irrepressibe
Irish spirit is unconquerable. and that
not until she concludes lasting
peace with her neighbor will the
many things which now appear dark
to her and the many things which
now veX her politicians and states
men he made clear. Now an end is to
be put to the centuries-old story of
repression. coercion and suffering. and
the tiller of the soil is to become it's
owner. The Irish peasantry is vague
ly beginning to realize that the land
lord has no longer the power of
Jehovah. that it is now possible for
him to improve his patch and to have
Il cosy cabin. aud even to put shoes
on his daughters feet. without the
fear of Il rise in rent or an eviction
notice.
Contrast the broken-down and de-
spairing looks of the people twenty
five years ago with their beaming and
joyful countenances of to-day. The
fear of the unbridled power of the
landlord which has haunted every
PEASANTS door is rapidly passing
away and to-day the Irishman looks
out upon Il future full of new hopes
and promises The tradition of the
past is realized. it's the beginning of
a golden-hearted Irish nation the
land of song, wit. mirth, learning and
holiness.
But, i'll the words of Patrick A. Col
Inns. THE Irish question. like the
Irish man, has a soul as we'll as a
body, and the soul of the Irish ques-
ton is not land. but liberty. Three
acres and a cow and fellowship with
the earth may satisfy all the longings
of swinish men. but the Irish Celt,
next to God, loves liberty-for himself
and for all men-and next to God he
loves his country" The idea of ma
tiOnality lies in the hearts of all man
kind: it is not earth-born, but is of
divine origin. 1t is an inward crav-
ing of the heart which does not rest
until it is satisfied. 'Tis with this
spirit OF nationality that the IrisEnan
has fought during all these centuries.
And while he believes in Il God that
made him Crlt and not Saxon he will
not rest until this craving OF his heart
is satisfied. But the work of those
staunch champions of home rule fer
Ireland has not been in vain, and the
present generation Of lrishmcn lna-
yet live to see the re-cstabliShment a.
an Irish parliament ut College Green.
But in his great rejoicing let not thu
1rishman forget that he falls hut as
heir to the fruits of the wor; of thosa
champions who have fought with per,
and sword during all these dark ages
of 1reland's history. And may the
names of those championships o.