The Irish standard., 1905-09-02

the people, and then get rid of the
Irish priests, and all will be easy"
Well, the parliamentary party that rep.
resent Irish opinion think it is a great
deal better to emigrate the landlords,
and give blessing to that reunion of
the priests and the people of Ireland,
the source of 1reland's strength, and
the hope of it's brilliant future.
And may l not say that the British
parliament has indorsed that opinion
of the Irish parliamentary party, for
twenty years ago, it would have been
put down as a test of disloyalty The
British parliament has indorsed that
opinion, and has declared that land
lordism in Ireland is of base principle,
from which not only ruin and desola
tion, but even famine, were spread
over the land, and as far as they could
have voted that such landlordism
should be eXiled from the country
Then, again, the parliamentary party
advocate that they should manage
Irish affairs who have the interest of
the country at heart, and now the
business in which they are engaged.
What was the statement of the pres
ent prime minister of England only a
very short time ago when discussing
some Irish matter? He declared that
in regard to Ireland the predominant
sentiment in England was one based
on passion. Is it disloyal for the Irish
party TO say we do not want our Irish
affairs to be administered by ignorance,
prejudice and passion? We desire to
have our affairs administered by those
who have the interests of the country
at heart, and know precisely how to
amend our grievances. And may not
take an instance from our own fair
land of Australia?
We are proud of the triumphs of
democracy amongst us, and I trust
that those triumphs will go on every
day completing their course until per-
feet democracy prevails amongst us.
But say, what is the principle that un.
derlies that democracy? 1t is that
the government is to be a government
of the people, by the people and for
the people. And surely it is no act of
disloyalty in Australia. ..... ...
On the contrary, when opportunity
arises l am sure there is no people OF
any colony in the empire more truly
loyal at heart than our Australian
people. And is it to be considered
disloyal when the Irish representatives
claim the same privilege for Ireland
government of the people, by the peo
pie and for the people? They have
declared that this is their aim, anG
they will be satisfied with nothing else
and wish them, from my heart, Gods
blessing to obtain that purpose Qout
applause).
There is another statement which
have seen made repeatedly these pas
few months since there was the ques
tion of that generous support which the
Hibernians decided to devote to the
aid of Irish representatives, and it i:
that charity should begin at home
Well, nothing is more true than tina
great maxim, and l trust that charit.
will never be wanting at home
amongst us, and every matter in which
true charity can be- engaged, that i
will be employed in it's vastest spheres
in spreading it's blessings amongst us
and think, in a humble way, 1 ma!
say for the Hibernians, and for oul
own people, that we are true to tina
maxim, and that we are doing our bes
to alleviate those burdens which tn,
miseries, distress and poverty arount
us may entail.
But then there is something in tina
name of motherland that brings Ire
land within the sphere of home. Whe1
we speak of home, and the affections
of home, they are entwined around {
mothers love, and when we seek tt
aid the parliamentary party in redress
ing Ireland's grievances, it is to ait
that mother whom we love. 1t is aid
ing Ireland and motherland. Ant
surely there can be no estrangemen
from the work of charity when WI
extend aid to that country which w
love. Recently I read short poem
| one of the verses of which struck mi
as embodying those sentiments which
are familiar to you all. l read:
20! island of sorrow! o, holy isle
OF tenderest memories!
Let caitiffs wait upon fortunes smile
But thy sons and daughters in lon'
exile,
And scattered mid all the seas,
Shall cling to thee, love thee, revere
thee while
There's song in the Irish trees"
Now, will not detain you with fur
ther remarks, except one only, and i
is this, that we are asked what, then
is it we are aiming at when we ait
the parliamentary party at home, ant