The San Francisco call., 1905-03-18

with the Poles the Jews, the Finns the Beers
or other nationalities that striving to de-
mand their right freemen. Years ago as I
stood by the grave Of the great Edmund Burke
at Beaconsneid, England. L asked myself why
this great Irishman. the friend of America.
the greatest man in literature since Shakes
ton OF his great talents. The answer came to
me ike stone from a acknowledgements he
was an irlshinan and because England could
not Dear the idea that a mere Irishman
should dictate her policy. Yet out of Edmund
Burke in the opinion of Rufus Choate, could
be cut % MackIntoshes, It's Macaulays, 40
Jeffreys, $50 Robert Peels, and still leave him
greater than Pitt and Fox together. This
great mans brogue" 70 the day of his death
NE IN Connaught and is evidence OF the fact
that in him the Gaelic tongue lost a great
pupil ana ireland great patriotic national
leader yet the English call Burke an English
man.
GREAT MEN.
Whatever prepossessions 1 had in favor of
Ireland were intensified by the speeches OF
William E Gladstone. John Bright and Wen
dell Phillips. IL was my provilege to hear
these great orators on ireland" l naturally
said II such men as Gladstone and Bright de-
nounce the past and present conduct of Eng
land, l do not see why / should not agree
with them. To me il has always been mat
{ ter OF surprise how Ireland has retained her
nationality, especially when, as Macaulay re-
marks, England prosecuted her because Ire
happiness 1 presume for England's happi-
ness. after 700 years of conquest il Is neces-
SdAe 10 keep n standing army ana q strong
PoIlce force among a people absolutely with
out criminal instincts, and make them pay for
the expense and then call this free govern
ment. The Eastern empires and those of
Greece and Rome live for in the narrative
I Of the chroniclers only Their glory and pow
er have passed away. Their are re-
Ininder OF the transitory nature Of human
grandeur
History tells US that nations are subject TO
! the universal law OF decay The shores Of
time are strewn with the wrecks of empires
Not only does the outward structure of gov
eInlheht disappear put the living pillars OF the
edihce-the people-fal never to rise again.
Some Kingdoms perish through inherent weak
ness others from conflict with a stronger
power " hen an exception to this apparently
unrelenting Law is found: when an ancient ma
ton presents itself which has never felt the
breath OF decay but exhibits to-day the same
vitality, energy and undying power that Il dis
played centuries ago, il is truly cause OF pro-
found establishment TO the historian and Of de-
light 10 him who can call such q nation his
own. me greatness OF country is often
traced IN the monuments Of past ages Is ii
not wonderful TO behold a race which refuses
20 De yudged py its architectural wonders
alone. but raising aloft its voice excIairns
Study not the inscription my ruins. Behold
me IN the bloom OF youth; the glow OF health
is on my cheek and the sparkle in my eve"
california is not forgetful of her debts TO
me ehlicren Of Erin. Know. Ireland that
thy sons and their descendants in this golden
land love with undying devotion thy cause
; thy name and thy history and offer up nm
VIII Ireland be independent with all the at
tributes OF nationality It needs not the
the dying wish Of the patriot VIII soon be
Iuinlled- Darkness still enshrouds Ireland
Dut the day star is even now trembling on
/ the horizons verge I look into the future.
and what do behold? Erin's sky begins to
show signs Of the coming day of freedom
Streaked at first with grayish lines IL glovs
ana gieams with the golden flashes of the
dawn. Crimson clouds appear in every dlrec-
ton- suddenly silver rays dart from the
heavens. Then slowly rising as from a pur-
PIE throne. the god Of day and liberty to
Erin is seen. His golden arrows wing their
! ne -{fl
hills and valleys Of the dear old land
ana now at last scene of unsurpassed
grandeur and loveliness strikes my eve AS
the sun whose light had been SO long hidden
py tne clouds OF tyranny ascends the meridian
IN an the glory Of supreme and unequaled
sovereignty and casts his lustrous light upon
once more happy and contented people Ire
land springs to her feet. and casting off the
ietters OF ages. in the fullness of her ioy ex-
claims Behold, 1 am free"
When the applause following the
maj outburst of eloquence subsided.
Edward P. Hogan, secretary of the
Cnlted Irish Societies, was introduced
and warmly greeted He read the
memorial and resolutions of sympathy
ahd encouragement that are to be for
Haroed TO the patriots in the Emerald
Isle. The resolutions are as follows:
Assembled to celebrate the national festival
OF the lrlsh race, we send greetings in tho
name CT the Irish people Of San Francisco to
our brethren in the motherland and to the
yvOr1
We congratulate the Irish people at home and
abroad on their answering devotion to the
principles ana Ideals Tor which the Gaelic race
mas stocd ana we appeal to them in the name
OF the patriots and martyrs of Erin to carry
on the hight until these principles shall tri.
umph.
We renew our claim that ireland is enti.
tied to her place among the nations of the
eartE; and our national aspirations can never
De satsned until that claim has been realized
While congratulating the people of ireland ON
the grand struggle they have made for rellg-
ious ana political rights, we assert that moth
ing less than complete independence can sat
isfy US. We remind ali lovers of liberty that
Ireland. enlincnty capable OF working cut her
own national salvation. and entitled by all the
laws OF the nations TO self government Ia,
been held n subJection by British bayonets: :
las been plundered by unjust taxation and by
absentee landiordism and that higher edlca
ton is denied the vast majority of her people
because of their religion. We stigmatize Eng
land. which parades as the friend Of liberty, as
a canting hypocrite as long il continues to
deprive the Irish people of their national and
political rights. we appeal to Irishmen AT
home and abroad 10 make the independence of
the motherland the aspiration of their
lives, and to rebuke, by every means in their
power, the insolence and the pride and the de-
signs Of the historical enemy of the Irish ma
ton. We warn our fellow citizens of the
Vaccinations of England. and we rejoice that
dom and patriotism to reject any entangling
treaty with the perhdious nation that made
treaties only to break them.
We rejoice at the new life that has
INTO Erin through the revival OF the Gaelic
eoHsue ana Gaelic literature, tradition and
Story, music and song. dance and games. These
are the emblems Of Gaelic nationality. These
nave preserved Ireland Gaelic land and srs-
talned the Gaelic spirit. They are our most
patriotic national heritage and their revival
Is the most patriotic work that Ireland can
oertake The Gaelic language should hold the
piace OF honor in every school of Ireland,
ngious ana governmental and appeal to the
priests ana people of ireland to restore II to
thst place Every child should be given an
opportunity 70 speak the language OF HIS faith
ers AND TO know the history and literature of
MS country We appeal TO the Irish people in
the United States 10 that their children
are taught In school the splendid story of their
fathers land-the bravest and most inspiring
story OF any nation. A knowledge of Irish
history would be the best antidote against the
SANDERS and misrepresentation which have
oeen spread against by our enemies We
demand that full justice be done to the his
tory OF ireland In our schools and that an op-
portunity be given to the children of Irish mar
ents 10 learn the story of their ancestors
We call upon Congressman and sena-
tors to provide for worthy monument to the
father OF the American navy Jack barry
The nation owes a debt of gratitude 10 the
memory Of this gallant Irish sailor and the
time has come when that debt should be in
some measure paid.
Be II resolved, That the above declaration
Of principles are accepted as the expression of
the feelings OF this convention, with regard