The Irish standard., 1908-01-25

sacrificing, his ardent patriotic convic-
tions wer always apparent, but never
distastefully obtrusive towards those
of different political learnings. For
several years he also presided amongst
the Gaels of the county, and it may be
truly remarked that though his mind
was ever laboring for the spiritual
| material and social elevation of the
people as a whole, his heart, next to
the faithful fulflment of the sacred
duties of his office, was with the young
blood, as he used to call them, the
Gaels Of the country. With them his
in critical moments, on the hurting and
football field. than all other influences
combined. To be amongst them made
him young again: their victories heart
with boyish enthusiasm, but none of
his selection ever felt more despondent
than he did, il fortune smiled the 9TH
er way.
A fluent Gaelic speaker, he took a
keen interest in the Language move
ment, was president of the Limerick
Coisde Ceauntair, and the most prom
inent figure at all the aeridheachtas.
His local brass band, Of which he felt
proud, was always accorded an hon
ored place at all the great provincial
demonstrations OF the early Land
League: but as temperance REFORM
er his good work was incalculable. The
local Temperance Hall was his Gre
alton, and amongst its members most
OF his hours of relaxation, and they
were few, were always spent. No
more prominent leader voiced the
feelings of the people at the National
Conventions, and few met with a
warmer reception at the great pro-
vincial demonstrations he attended.
parishioners burned to the ground, it
made him a relentless opponent thence
forward of tyrannic landlordisnl, but
twenty years later he saw their claims
vindicated, and half their original
rents accepted. His old friend. the
late Michael Davitt, knowing the cir
we'll he appreciated tho loyalty of
Father Casey to those subjected to the
same heartless treatment which shad-
owed his early manhood for he has
tened to write on the occasion from
Dalkey OH Dec. 6, 1901:
"My dear Father Casey-Just a line
to heartily congratulate you on the
settlement effected on the O'Grady es-
tate. 1t must be Il great satisfaction
to you to have the tenants restored
to their old holdings on such favorable
terms, and to see peace also restored
by this act Of justice to the district.
You have stood loyalty and nobly by
those poor people in their struggle for
their homesteads, and they will owe
you Il debt OF endless gratitude for the
successful fight you have lVade TOR
them.'
AS a prominent Nationalist leader
and advocate of the peoples rights,
the general public knew and appreci-
ated his work, but the jealous, self
denying manner in which he per-
formed his missionary labors was
known only to his Divine Master, his
parishioners, and those Immediately
associated with his flock. He never
permitted a. public obligation, and they
were many and pressing, to detract him
from his sacred duties. Ever ready
for sacrifice, lie did Gods work as he
would have his devoted people do it,
extraordinarily WE'LL" and for the rest
his philanthropy became proverbial.
1t is questionable whether Father Ca
/ seys patriotism exceeded his charity.
Both have become inseparably we'd
ded with his name.
Twenty years ago no royal prince
could feel more highly honored than
in the treasured greeting he received
from his devoted people on his return
| ~ AASc1IIi - Cu Years ago his SILVER
Jubilee afforded his grateful parish
toner's an opportunity of acknowledge
ing the deep debt of gratitude they
owed him for his unselfish devotion to
how rejoiced he was to know how
pleased his kindness made them, but
gently he declined the purse Of $1,000
which accompanied their loyal con-
gratulations. At last the blow has fall
en-. the patriot pastor, the only Father
their interests. Feelingly he told them
Casey his people knew, their stalwart
breastwork, and their friend is gone
In many an Irish home, whose roof
tree he upheld, the silent tear will fall
and the fervent prayer ascend for the
noble heart who drove the rent thief
like the wolf to lowlier lands: who
truly fed the poor and solaced those
in pain. who dared the prison for his