The Irish standard., 1906-05-12


OF the curriculum i'll the public schools
OF Boston, says the Boston Republic.
The decision OF the school board
making Irish history supplementary
reading in the grammar schools end
an elective study in the high schools
Of the city is to be commended.
No study OF American history is in
telligible without reference to the
conttibtftory strains that have enter
ed and formed the character and tenn
permanent of the American people.
If English history be necessary to Il
preparation for a deeper insight into
the foundation of the structure and
spirit of the United States. no less is
the Irish history as Il corrective of
prejudiced views, sided impress
sions, and a defective vision of facts.
{ This is not the. only reason upon
which the demand for the introduce
ton Of Irish history is based.
NO real knowledge of American his
tory. Of the new type of man that
has arisen as a result of our national
genius, is possible without reference
to the Irish character as it reveals
itself in Irish history.
in Boston it is unjust that a people
barking back to racial strain that
has sung the music Of its daring into
American ears from the foundation of
the Union should have their children
denied the knowledge which would
make the race in its historic growth
intslligible to them.
1t Is due the scions of Irish stock
iii this community to make easy of
approach the sources OF American
civilization. And American civili2a-
uon cannot be understood without In
sight into the fund Of ideas and SYM
pathies, and points of view which the
men and women Of Irish blood have
contributed to the many-sided civil
ization We have built up here.
That civilization is not the WORK. OF
one race. 1t is the resultant Of the
energies Of many races blended into
the unity Of composite result.
TO. teach child that American
ciuAlza+ion is merely: English ciyiliza-
ton with a Whit Of nervous energy
added is an outrage. Irish birthmarks
are found on many of our national
characteristics. To our institutions
opulent in promise for the future
our national ideals. III which are
rooted the most. fervent hopes OF
humanity, the Irish temperament has
had the high honor Of giving the most
powerful and decisive impulses.
All enlightened Americans should
welcome the placing Of Irish history
in the curriculum of the public schools
because Ireland has bequeathed tc
modern thought and life and political
forms an impulse toward spiritual
ideals-the ideals which American
civilization needs as a corrective anG
a shaping power.
Unless we match modern industrial
miracles by great characters ou,
civilization is one-sided, dangerous
po:tentous.
Irish history-which is history o.
saints and sages. of hope deferred, o.
so high spirituality, that the mer
and women whom it produced have
chung to the most precious elements
in the Irish character when those ele-
ments might we'll have been barter.
ed for mess of pottage. is worthy O.
careful study.
By standing for principle the Irist
people have changed the course Of thu
worlds history.
That spirit which Irish history EN-
bodies helped to make the American
Revolution a success.
1t has forged the strongest ant
most supple weapon for engraftint
spiritual ideals upon commercial ant
material civilization.
1t has been a strong factor in every
decade of our political life, for it ha.
given to American political opinion I;
determination, an old historical back
ground, in the light Of which tn,
torches of liberty have been lighted
throughout the world.
1.'ish history has brought out of tn,