The Irish standard., 1908-07-18

The period Of 1reland's history that
the above name recalls is period tnat
lends to the speaker or writer rare
opportunity of showing our motherland
in every phase, and of portraying the
life of Ireland's greatest hero, the life
of one who won the proudest title ever
given by people to their leader, "The
Liberator of his Country" The name of
the great Irish Tribune is written on
every Irish heart, writes Rev. w. F.
Ellis in Donahoe's Magazine for July.
It is known to all men. have seen
the Genoese as they passed the house
where the Irish Liberator's earthly lie
closed, in reverence raise their hats.
Pilgrims from the four quarters of the
earth, hailing to Rome. after a visi.
to the tomb of the apostles direct their
steps down the narrow street to tn:
church Of st. Agatha, to kneel before
the marble slab that hides from their
view the heart Of Daniel o'Connel;.
loVV 1ICldIlu was d6dAI W1CuOuL d.
parliament-robbed Of her freedom.
The act of Union was passed, and to
this may we attribute all the suffer-
ings and injustice that Ireland has had
to endure from that day to this. Ire
land had again to begin war, but
her courage was unconquerable. She
was now in the most abject position,
nearly eight millions of her people
crushed to the earth owing to the un-
just measures of England, afraid to lift
their voice in their own land At this
time a little band of men assembled
in Dublin with Grattan at their head
to agitate for Catholic emancipation.
Grattan was a non-Catholic, but he,
with many others of his creed, was
heart and soul in the Irish cause. This
assembly, had too few members; they
were unable to enkindle the spirit Of
their countrymen, and their efforts
would not have availed had not the
God Of Justice given to Ireland a man
who put new life into the hearts Of
his countrymen, and into the heart OF
the nation.
There is proverb that the child is
father Of theman. .Letusthen etoish
father Of the man. Let US then review
the childhood Of the Irish chief. DAN
tel o'connell was born in. the year
1775, in small village in Kerry. His
early education was received from one
of the old schoolmasters, who under
the penal code taught beneath the
shade of some hedge or ditch. Later
he was Observation-Disclosures mfwyp
he was sent to a college in England,
and from there to France. One Of
the principals Of the college, in a let
ter to Daniels father, said: II have
but one sentence to write, was never
so much mistaken in my life as I shall
be If he be not destined to make re-
markable figure in society" I shall
close this reference to his school days,
by quoting a passage from a letter
written by him to his uncle: II have,
indeed, glowing, and-if. may use
the expression-an enthusiastic ambi-
tion which converts every toll inro a
pleasure. and every study into. an
amusement. Though nature may have
given me subordinate talents. will
never be satisfied with a subordinate
situation in my profession"
His profession was the bar. The
penal laws were 50 far relaxed that a
"Papist," as the government termed 4
Catholic. could then practise law in
ireland. In 1898 young o'connel!. ,-ss
called to the bar. From tho commence
ment he was successful lawyer; in
his first case he received from the
bench the encouraging commsndstion.
You'll do, young gentleman, you'll
do
What carried o'connell into politics i:
His sympathetic heart Listen to his
own words. TT WAS the union" he