The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-10-01
IRISH RACE NOT DYING OUT.

"
IRISH RACE NOT DYING OUT.
Mr.. John E. Redmond is reported as
saying that the Irish race is dying out
This is perhaps not fair construction
of his words, as may be inferred from
the other statement that, if Irishmen
are passive, Ireland will cease to be
the home of the Celt. This obviously
relates rather to the population of Ire
land than to the race generally, says
the Louisville Courrier-Journal.
1t would be very strange if the Irish
race were dying out. Decadence is
largely the result of vice, and the de-
cay of the domestic virtues. Now, it
is precisely for these virtues that the
Irish race is most noted. AS rule,
and barring cases of extreme poverty,
the Irish marry early and have large
families. The domestic affections find
in them their most pronounced express
sion. 1t is a matter of common knowl-
edge how the Irish immigrant in
America has saved his or her scanty
earnings to bring over father and
mother, sister or brother, or to con-
tribute to relieve their wants in their
old home, thus showing capacity for
self-sacrfice in the interests of family
which is praiseworthy and admirable.
\ race like this must change radically
before it can die out.
1t is true that there has been great
decrease in the population of Ireland
in sixty years. In 1911 it was $780,
Sol. In 1901 it was 4,45S, S.3. Thus
in sixty years there WAS IL decrease of
nearly half. This is all the more
noticeable because it was directly the
opposite of what had been taking place
previously. The first complete census
of Ireland was i'll 1921. Note these
figures from that and the three CEN
suses next succeeding:
1911 ....... ........... .6.SOl ,S2I
lSil .......... 40, 4O1
ISt ..... ..................S .l00,S5
| 1901 .................. .G.514, 473
Thus from 1921 to 1881 the popla-
ton increased by we'll nigh million,
and from 1921 to 1871 by 1898, 92G.
In the decade from 1871 to 1851 there
was loss of 1.GS5.3SO. This was the
result of the great potato famine and
of the immense emigration caused by
it and some other circumstances.
From 1851 to 1872 the emigration
amounted to 2.157.257. These figures
suggest that the loss Of population
sustained by Ireland is no evidence
that the race is dying out.
There are other suggestive figures
as to the Irish race to be had in the
census reports of the United States.
From 1921 to 1900, inclusive, the i'm
migrants into the United States from
Ireland numbered 1871 ,253, or, say,
100000 up to the present time Be-
sides these. there were in 1900 4,9S1,-
OF in the United States. one or both
Of whose parents We're born in Ireland,
and Of these more than 100000 We're
the offspring of parents both of whom
We're born there These by no means
measure the number of the people of
the United States that belong to the
Irish race. The count only goes back
to parents. and does not include grand
parents or more remote ancestors born
In Ireland. If the descendants of
these. and of those who We're here in
1920 or before be taken into account.
we shall find that there are more of
| the Irish race in the United States
than there are in Ireland. There are
also more of the Irish race in Ireland
and the United States than there We're
| In 1911. This leaves out of the ac-
count the Irish in other countries, and
they are found all over the world.
There is small reason, then, to con-
clude that the Irish race is dying out
There is now a pronounced move
ment in Ireland to reduce the number
of emigrants. Improved conditions of
living and the strong hope that is en-
tertained of independence afford
great deal of encouragement to these
endeavors. 1t is. therefore, apparent
that what Mr.. Redmond says of decay
has more immediate If not exclusive,
reference to the race in Ireland.
The Gaelic league has done wonders
| toward the reSuscitation of the Irish
language, but it is so rich in honor
properly belonging to it that it need
not appropriate what properly belongs