The Irish standard., 1904-04-16
THE IRISH LANGUAGE.

W y AAeA ~ oS ali itppeGl lEOIll Tile
Gaelic League of New York in behalf
of an Irish language fund. The move
ment in favor of the teaching of Irish
has been vitalized in the last few
years. 1t is more than a dream and
desire. 1t Is a natural result of the
continued strife for the preservation of
Irish nationality. Ii Il people are to
preserve their nationality It is neces-
sary that they preserve their language
and customs as well as their laws.
The Irish people deserve much credit
for their prolonged struggle through
seven centuries to preserve their ma
tional existence. Physical force brib-
cry, cajoling, persecution, poverty have
all failed to shake the spirit of the Irish
people, they have not only remained
true to their native land, to its identity
as separate nation, but they have re-
manned true to their religion. When
Englishmen deserted the church which
had led them out of Paganism into
Christianity the Irish refused to
change. Because they refused to
change they suffered persecution which
in these days seems incredible. When
England forced upon Ireland foreign
rule and offered to the Irish people
prosperity and then religious liberty
and still later political liberty the Irish
people steadfastly refused to turn their
faces away from the past glory of the
country. They refused to become
English. In only one respect have the
Irish yielded to England, and that is
in the surrender of their language
This was not freely done. 1t was a
result Of destructive wars of invasion
which destroyed Irish learning and
schools. AS matter of necessity the
language of the conquerors supplanted
that of the conquered. The day has
now arrived however when the Irish
people can and are demanding the re-
turn Of their own language. 1t was on
the question Of teaching the Irish Ian
guage that John Redmond recently OBJ
tanned an adverse vote against the Bal
four government. 1t is rather humili-
ating for Irishmen to reflect that the
best authorities on the Irish language
and literature at the present time are
Germans. If the Irish language and
literature are important enough for
distinguished German scholars to
spend a lifetime of study on, it is GER
tainly worthy Of the efforts of Irish
scholars. The movement now IN
augurated is not mere academic
question, it is practical question with
an important bearing upon the struggle
for the preservation of Irish national
ity. The appeal made by the league of
which John D. Crimmins is treasurer
contains the following language:
MANY of our people, unfortunately
are vet unmindful of the dangers
which threaten our nationality and
think that mere antagonism to England
| will suffice to preserve it. We would
remind such that there was time
when the English who went to Ireland
became more Irish than the Irish
themselves" This happened because
they spoke the Irish language and
adopted Irish customs. The English
settlers were influenced by them to
such an extent that not even rigorous
English laws could prevent them from
becoming Irish. Today the reverse is
occurring, and we ask the question
- the Irish people permit their native
language and customs to pass away
and adopt those Of England, what is
to prevent them from becoming as
English, if not more so, than the Eng.
fish themselves?
will we, who claim to be patriotic
members Of the Irish race. be content
to calmly look on at this fight which
is being waged for the preservation of
our national characteristics in the
cradle-land Of our race and not render
some assistance to those who are bear.
ing the brunt Of me battle? will we
leave our fellow Irishmen in the old