The Irish standard., 1908-07-18
Won the Proudest Title Ever Given by a
People to Leader, 1.-THE Liberator
of His Country"
A Review Of the Early Life and Events in
the Career of Erin's Great Chief, by
Rev. w. F. Ellis.

said, (which stirred me up to come
forward in politics.. 1 was maidcned
when I heard the bells of st. Patrick's
Cathedral ringing out joyful peal for
Irelands degradation-as If it We're a
glorious national festival. My b.ood
boiled, and I vowed on that morning
that the dishonor should not lesr if I
could put an end to It," That vow
O'Connell lived up to. He believed
that the cornerstone Of slavery was
the servitude of the soul, and his first
battle therefore was for liberty of wor-
ship for his fellow countrymen. He
cast himself, heart and soul, into the
fight. His brilliant mind discerned
what he needed-the support Of every
man in Ireland; not their physical
support-for the Irish were not allow
ed to bear arms-but their moral sup
port. To this end he sacrificed his lu-
crative profession and went all through
Ireland agitating. He organized the
Catholic Association in every town,
hamlet. and parish, every member con-
trihuting a penny month towards the
general fund. From 1910 O'Conncll
was known to every peasant in ire
land, and from that year he grew day
by day. in the confidence of the pco-
pie.
E.nplor,d
the power of o'Connell grow, and real
lied that the day would come when
ION followers would hang up.
on his word. She tried every measure
to entrap him, but his genius was
above her; his eloquence she could not
Withstand. What change O'Conneli
wrought! He put a new spirit into
his countrymen, and preached to them
the gospel Of Ireland's nationality. He
made them all soldiers of the great
war, and the Catholic Association grew
with .O'Connell at its head, until in
1928 he could truly say that he was
the leader of his people-eight MIL
lions waiting for his voice-ready to
obey his word.
England recognized this power. and
in 1898 wellington. after estimating
o'Conneil's strength, said to the worth
less king: IT you will not emancipats
the Catholics without any condition
and give them freedom, you will have
a revolution on your hands. In other
words, o gracious King, hear the voice
Of O'Connell."
Naturally there was a sentiment
among the Irish against Wellington
They said: 1--WE will not have one rep
resent us in the parliament who holds
ONCE under him. This left vacancy
for Glare. The Irish had to select
member. They never dreamed Of a
Catholic No Catholic could enter Par
Lament because Of the oath that a
Catholic could not take. Notwithstand-
ing this barrier O'connell came for
ward and announced himself a candi-
date, saying that If he was elected he
would sit In parliament-a Catholic
member for Clare. All the powers Of
corruption were moved to defeat him,
but he was elected by sweeping n,a-
jority.
AS he entered the House of Com
mons to take his seat he was handed
the book in which was written the oath
he was to swear to. The oath runs
thus: Il, do solemnly and sincerely
in the presence Of God profess, testify
and declare that do believe that in
the sacrament Of the Lords Supper
there is not any transubstantiation Of
the elements Of bread and wine into
the body and blood Of Christ, or after
the conservation thereof by any per-
son whatsoevsr, end that the invoca. ).
ton or adoretion oS the Virgin Mary
or any other saint ana the sacrifice Of
the Mas. as they are now used in the
Church Of Rome, are s.perstitious and
idolatrous." This was the oath to -
administered to members reprsssutins