Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-19

Last evening at the Sacred Heart
church, Rev. Father Foley delivered
an eloquent lecture on "the Trials
and Triumphs of the Irish Race" to a
very large and appreciative audience,
including citizens Of all denominations
and members Of all the Catholic par
ishes Of this city. 1t was estimated
that fully eight hundred people were
In attendance. The spacious church
was crowded to its utmost capacity,
all being anxious to hear the gifted
speaker on the favorite theme.
In his opening remarks Father
Foley told of the conditions existing
In ireland centuries ago, Of the habits
and customs OF the people of that
time
He gave graphic description Of
the labor Of the great st. Patrick and
the glorious results of his mission
among the Irish people. Four centur-
les Of happiness was the heritage he
left behind him in Ireland. The holy
cross and missionaries traversed the
plains where formerly banners waved
and clansmen conquered. The schools
and colleges Of Ireland became the
nurseries of learning for every coun-
try. Hitner came persons in search
OF education from distant Bavaria,
from the foot Of the Alps and the
Pyrenees and the banks of the Rhine.
He dwelt on the labors of the Irish
monks, remembering that their names
are still recorded from Royal Madrid
to Imperial Vienna, from the highlands
OF Scotland to the confines OF Ger
many, even to the seven hills Of
Rome. A beautiful poem entitled,
1.-THE Irish Monks" was then recited
In a manner worthy Of the gifted
speaker, and he declared that the in
telluctual supremacy OF Europe belong
ed to ireland from the fifth to the
ninth century.
Denounees English Rule.
He passed quickly to the English in
vasion and gave graphic description
of several hundreds Of years OF Eng
lish misrute in ireland in manner
that clearly showed his intimate know
ledge OF English and Irish history. He
alphabetically denied that he had any
personal dislike to the individual Eng
lishrnar. On the contrary he admired
many Of their excellent traits of char
acter but declared his contention was
against the barbarous treatment met
ed out to Ireland by the English gov
He described the many penal laws
enacted In different reigns against the
Irish Catholics, selecting about six OF
the most diabolical ones from list
of thirty five, so villainous as to de-
serve to be condemned by Edmund
Burke, as worthy to. be devised in the
lowest pits of hell The system known
as Irish land lordism, was there adj
nnirably explained and defined by the
reverend speaker as cruel and unjust
land system, established by the Eng
lish government, having for its .pri-
mary, the total destruction of the IrisE
race. This was perhaps the most in
teresting part Of his lecture and was
listened to throughout by the vast au-
dience with GREATNESS attention. 1t
must be heard from the speakers lips
in order to fully appreciate the long
continued rnisrule of the alien land
lords Of Ireland.
He scored the British literature IN
which the Irish people have been for
centuries caricatured and belied In
the English possessions and America
He boldly took issue with the lying
Misrepresentation against his race
and answered the various charges IN
manner that must have delighted
his audience.
Virtues Of the Irish Race.
He then spoke Of the virtues of his
people, their love for chastity, their