The Washington times., 1906-05-21
IRELAND AWAKENS
TO NEW ACTIVITY
DR.. Hyde Tells of Gaelic
Leagues Work.
DISSENSIoN DISAPPEARS
All Glasses and CTeeds Line Up for
Purpose o. Perpetuating Gaelic
Customs.

With all the enthusiasm and optimism
OF his race, DR. Douglas HYDE, OF County
Sligo. Ireland. the "CraOibhin Aoibhinn'
of Erin, as he is best known 10 his people
and their kith and kin scattered
over the globe. lectured last night at
the National Theater on the Gaelic
Revival"
The picture he sketched for his hear
ers, who crowded the auditorium, was
one Of hope. in which were blended the
best national traditions. All the charm
and beauty of his native land. all that
is enchanting in its past. all that is
best in the ideal to be hoped
for IN its future, he told of. and in an
intense manner that deeply impressed
all
This scholar, who has striven so hard
10 lay broad and deep foundations OF
an Irish Ireland. talked for two hours
on the work of the Gaelic League and
what It was still doing.
Speaker Cannon Listens.
In the audience were a number prom
inent in national life. Speaker Cannon
listened aJtentively and applauded many
OF the sentiments expressed.
Vividly DR.. Hyde, who IS on a visit
to this country In the interest OF the
Gaelic League. told OF the apathetic
spirit Of ireland when the Gaelic League
organized to spread the language
throughout the island, began its work
twelve years ago; how the country
which was being vulgarized was brought
TO realize it's position and TO a sense Of
shame that has awakened the wonderful
movement
With especial emphasis Dr. Hyde de-
clsred that the league had forever wiped
out the spirit Of dissension and bigotry,
and that today Unionist and National
ist. Catholic and Protestant. stood to-
gether for the preservation Of the Ian
guage. the customs, and ideals of the
people.
He declared that ireland would yet
take its place among the nations Of the
earth, once again occupS the position
IL did when it carried Christianity 10
Europe-eVen when England was a na-
ton OF savages.
Just how far the movement has ad-
vanced is told by the scholar himself.
He pointed out that the Gaelic Ian
guage. which was hut seldom heard
twelve years ago, Is now being taught
in over 5000 schools, and IS fast being
made a part of the life Of the people.
This same activity. the lecturer went
on TO say was DeluE LCll IN lno lnuuS-
tries Of Ireland, which had long been
under the same ban as its language
Now, he declared, the people of the
isle are wearing Irish-made clothes
patronizing Irish stores, and using ma
terial for every grade Of work that
bears only the trademark, Made in
Ireland"
DIR. Hyde's wonderful sketch Of the
beauties Of the race, its ancient history
and of its kings was most entertaining
lie sent a mid thrill Of laughter over
In #rnNnH - T-Ha
America who had dropped the Nc
and "O' from their names. he mention
ed the name OF Carter, descendants OF
the kings Of Munster. Senator Garter
Of Montana. who was presiding Off
Ger, COlored deeply as II in admission
of the impeachment
Ihe brlIHancy, plthlness, and humoI
OF the lecturers efforts was enhanced
by voice Of fine quality, accent. and
gesture, that one rarely meets with ex-
cept in the old country.
In concluding. Dr. Hyde tried to i'm
press upon his hearers the need OF
hearty support for the movement, he
said which aims for the rebirth of
the imaginative and esthetic life OF
ireland. the molding anew of Irish ma
tional ideals, and the stamping out OF
all that is vulgar.
Irish Melodies Sung.
Prof. McCarthy's Orchestra furnished
Irish melodies preceding the lecture. A
number Of solos were rendered by
Richard S. Burke anc Mrs. Esther
Gumprecht.
Joseph Drnn, Ph. d, was the chair
man. He presented United States Sen
atOr Carter of Montana, who made the
Introductory address. The Senator
showed a wide acquaintance with the
history of the Irish people, and maid
a glowing tribute TO DR. Hyde and to
the race
Closing remarks We're made in Irish
Al.
Ireland and THE Star-SpangIed
Banner"