The Irish standard., 1905-07-08
Wherever the People of Ireland Have Gone
They Have Carried the Teaching Of
the Catholic Church.
The Most Sacred Interest of Their Religion
as Well as of Country, is the Freedom
of Their Nation.

The affectionate esteem in which
Mr.. John Dillon, N. P, and Mrs. Dillon
are held by the Nationalists of Belfast
found renewed expression recently in
the enthusiastic ovation which was ex-
tended to them in the United National
Club in Berry street, says the Dublin
Freeman's Journal. Mrs. Dillon had
kindly consented to open the Bazaar,
which was organized there under the
auspices of the Ladies' Branch of the
United Irish League, with the view Of
devoting the proceeds to the further
.ance of the National cause in the city.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dillon proceeded from
the Linenhall Hotel to the club where,
on their arrival, they were cheered en-
Enthusiastically by the crowded assem-
bly, of ladies and gentlemen. They
were conducted to the platform, and
the presentation of a number of ad.
dresses to Mr.. Dillon was proceeded
with. On the motion of Mr.. ]. T.
Joseph Devlin, M. P.
Mr.. J. T. Donovan then read an ad-
dress from the Belfast Divisional Elk
ecutive of the United Irish League. An
address was presented from the Bel.
fast Literary Society. An address
was presented from the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, and also from the
United National Club.
Mr.. Dillon, who was enthusiastically
-applauded, then replied to the address
es. He said: return my most hearty
thanks to the Executive of the United
Irish League for the beautiful address
which you have listened to, and to the
Belfast National Literary Society and
the National Club and the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians for the addresses
which have just been presented to me-
It is now six years since had the
privilege of opening this club for the
Nationalists of Belfast, at time when
they were involved in great Difficult.
ties, and when they literally almost
had not roof under which to put
their heads.
That was time when they were in
volved in struggle in which at least
thought great principles were at stake,
and have come here at the invitation
of the Nationalists of Belfast to con-
graduate them upon the conclusion of
that struggle under circumstances so
favorable that could hardly have an
-ticipated so happy an ending, for while
the principles for which you have
fought have been completely estab.
glished and vindicated, the struggle has
been brought to termination in such
fashion that confidently hope that
1T will leave no root of bitterness be.
hind it, and that in the future, as in
the past, the Catholics of this great
city will be united in hearty and most
brotherly union for the good of Ire
Land.
We have, think, every reason to
rejoice and be glad. Mr.. Devlin wa
rejoice and be glad. Mr.. Devlin was
kind enough to say I had earned some
right to be looked upon as cham
.pion of Catholic interests in Ireland.
Well, can say this, at all events, that
according to the best of my judgment.
from my earliest years to this day /
have endeavored to champion Catholic
interests. But I have tried to look
at this question of of Catholic inter.
ests from broad and comprehensive
point of view, and I say here, what I
have said on many platform all over
the world, that in my deliberate judg.
ment the highest and greatest of Cath.
olic interests is the restoration to this
old Catholic nation of its National
rights.
believe that it is not generally appre.
ciated or known how great an element
of strength to the universal Catholic
Church or world is the Irish race.
do not believe that exaggerate in
the slightest degree when claim that
there is at present no national force
in the whole world so powerful for the
maintenance of the Catholic church