The Irish standard., 1907-03-23

and become Americans. They left their
native isle because they loved free
| dom's blessed air, because they want
ed opportunity, because they yearned
| for chance to have habitation and
a home and become something in the
affairs of their country and factors in
their day and generation. They sought
| our shores as the swallow seeks the
land of sunshine. They came for no
temporary convenience but thoroughly
to incorporate themselves into the body
polite, to raise their families and to
| live and die Americans. They did not
come to be mere deadheads. but to be
active, vital factors in building up up
on the western content the best civili-
cation the world has ever known.
"They were eager and ready to engage
in the great work of building railroads
and digging canals. They willingly put
| their hands to the work of converting
the wilderness into industrial centers,
establishing the busy marts and Great
ing the great highways Of commerce.
| They readily went into the avenues
| where severe toll was required. They
performed whatever tasks were honor
able. confident that they We're laying
the sure foundations upon which to
rise 20 ultimate influence and power.
They have steadily and rapidly adj
vanced from the lower to the higher
forms of employment. They have be-
come workers in every field of activity.
They are found among the leaders in
every avenue where genius, energy and
l;jgh intelligence are required.
1.-The Irish may even be found in
American politics. Having been denied
a full measure of participation in the
affairs of the government of their ma
tive land they have availed themselves
of the chance of running things in the
land of their adoption, and we may say
that they have done pretty we'll on the
whole They have been apt students
| They have been law-abiding, nigh
minded and patriotic. They have been
thoroughly enamored of our institutions
and have desired only to add to ur
strength and to increase our glory.
when we witness the capacity Of
the Irish for self government in Amer
lea we can see no good reason why
they are not capable of self-govern-
ment in Ireland. They possess the ca
pacity to the cause Of good govern
ment and regard for the constituted
authority. The Jewel Of American free.
dom is in no danger in their hands.
We can believe that the cause of good
government would be imperiled by
them anywhere upon the globe.
MANY Irish names enrich the history
of the United States. In every impor-
tant epoch in American history tine
Irish have contributed their full share
to safeguard our institutions and to
advance the welfare, the good name
and the honor and glory of the United
States. In the dark hours of the Amer
ted themselves to the cause of liberty
upon this continent. They drew their
swords upon the side of the brave con-
tinentals who periled all that this land
might be dedicated forever and forever
to the sublime cause of republican gov
ernment. To name some and not all
who threw themselves into the strug-
gle for independence would almost
seem ungenerous, but can not fore
go recalling some of their names There
were Mad Anthony Wayne, General
Walter Stewart, Major General Edward
Hand, Stephen Moylan, the first presi-
dent of the Friendly Sons, and there
was John Barry, the first commodore
Of our navy-a navy which has never
failed to add honor to the American
name. 80.
Irish names grace the immortal dec
laration of independence. They are for.
ever. dSSOCldlcu WIN tIldL HlSHLy DfO.
test against monarchial rule upon this
continent. b.
During the war Of the rebellion
thousands of Irishmen rendered, their
services to the imperiled republic.
Thousands of them went down to the
battle fields in order 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, General Philip H.
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.
spirited and loyal. Loyalty to American