The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-19
FAIRBANKS KEEPS
LIME LIGHT BUSY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE IL


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and rapidly advanced from the lower to
the higher forms of employment They
have become workers in every field OF
activity. They are found among the lead
ers in every avenue where genius, energy
and high intelligence are required. The
Irish may even be found in American
politics. Having been denied full meas
IRE of participation in the affairs of the
government of their native land they
have awaited themselves of the chance
of running things in the land of their
adoption, and we may say that they have
done pretty well on the whole. They have
been apt students. They have been law
| abiding, high-minded and patriotic. They
have been thoroughly enamored of our
institutions and have desired only TO add
to our strength and to increase our glory.
Self.Government,
when we witness the capacity of the
irish for sef-government in America, we
can see no good reason why they are not
capable of self-government in Ireland.
They possess the capacity to the course
of good government and regard for the
constituted authority. The jewel of Amer
lean freedom is in no danger in their
hands. We cannot believe that the cause
of good government would be imperialed
by them anywhere upon the globe
Many Irish names enrich the history of
the United States In every important
epoch in American history the Irish have
contributed their full share to safeguard
our institutions and to advance the wei
fare, the good name and the honor and
the glory of the United States. In the
dark hours of the American revolution
| many Irshmen dedicated themselves 10
the cause of liberty upon this continent
| They drew their swords upon the side OF
| the brave contnentals who perilled all
| that this land might be dedicated forever
and forever to the sublime cause or re-
publican government. To name some ana
not all who threw themselves into the
struggle for independence would alnosu
seem ungenerous. but | cannot forego re-
calling some of their names There We're
Mad Anthony Wayne, Gen. Walter Stew
art Maj Gen. Edward Hand. Stephen
Moylan, the first president of the frelnd-
! ly Sons. and there was John Barry, the
first commodore of our Maya navy
which has never failed to add honor to
the American name.
Declaration Of independence.
Irish names grace the immortal Declar-
alton of independence They are forever
associated with that mighty protest
against monarchial rule upon this con-
tinent.
During the war of the rebellion thous-
ands of Irishmen tended their services to
the mperilled republic Thousands oil
them went down to the battle fields in or
der that the nation might live Upon
hundreds of battle fields they gave the
highest proof which men can give OF
their devotion to this land of liberty, and
when the end came, one of the three
foremost generals in all our victorious
army, was the gallant Irishman, Gen.
Philip II. Sheridan.
Hieh-Spirited and Loyal.
"There is no student of our national
life, there is no attentive observer. of our
progress who does not know that the
Irish in America have been high-spiritec
and loyal. Loyalty to American institu-
tons is one of their overmustering pas
sions. The great warm Irish heart does
not have in it the seeds of treachery. II
national peril shall in Gods providence
again come to us, there will he no one
who will step to the country's defense
more quickly than the patriotic sons oil
old Ireland.
my friends, there is much in the past
10 stimulate our pride we read the
story with thrilling interest. There Is
much in the present to awaken in us
sense of profound gratitude There is
much in thefuture to III us with confi-
dent hope The future Will be future
of opportunity opportunity Tor the as
play of the genius, the thrift, the enter
prise and the patriotism OF all our peo-
pie Our feet v'i1 ~ Guided through the
future by the lamp of past experience
The problem which shall engage our at
teneion will be solved in the light of the
pest traditions of the republic. We must
listen to no false prophets. We must ad-
here to the principles of justice ana risht.
eousness if we would achieve our high
est national destiny. Let - have faith
in each other. Let us have confidence In
the virtue of our institutions. Let us CO.
operate. Let us fellowship together and
go forward in the work of making our
country what our fathers intended IL
should be-the master republic of all the
ages"
At the conclusion of his address the
Vice President was presented with pot
of Shamrocks of the royal purple type
that were said to have been brought
from Tara Hill ia Ireland.