The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-04-10
ever seeks to divert our government
from tn" standard Of liberaity that be-
fits free mon in free republic.
THE ANCIENT IRISH.
An Enlightened People Before ST
Patrick's Advent.

At Sioux City. Iowa, on ST. Patrick's
Day. m. Rev. Bishop C;arrigan deliv-
cred Il magnificent address. in the
course of Which hc referred to the
high state Of civilization of thc Pagan
celt. before the arrival of ST. Patrick
MS follows:
When st. Patrick came to ireland
as It's apostle about tho year l3D Of
the Christian ora, he found tho in
habiants of that island Il cnmpara-
lively free. enlightened and religious
people. No barharians had swept
over their land to blight its civiliza-
tion; no tyrants ruled them will, IL
rod OF iron; no human sacrifices
stained their religious practices; no
prevailed among them. They were
Il free people, living in tribes, gov
crned by provincial councils. and Ivy
their grcl; trienniaI congress ~ Tara,
presided over by tho grand monarch
OF ireland. They had their Brclou
laws even at this period. their priests,
heir historians and hnr,ls, all of which,
boar testimony to- tho freedom, Gu
liEItcrnI"nt and religious character ot
he race. They wcrc acquainted with
he use of precious metals, with the
fond Of music ana song. Loving liter
allure ana books, often disturbed by
party contentious and feuts. no doubt,
but on tn" whole, living happily un-
der the ru" of the tribal system. The
ruins that have been explored, tho
relies that have been discovered. the
manuscripts that have been preserved.
the implements and utensils recovered-
| by the artuuarans. show Il high state
-; civilization. and PROVE th"t the
dwellings OF the ancient irish were
rnbclIisIIcd with objects Of art, prob
ably before the foundations cf Rome
wore laid, and perhaps while Greece
was emerging from n. rude state 0f =
bnrharisn. "rhe ancient Irish" says
~
most importance to the accuracy OF
their histcriraI compositions. and that
for social reasons. Their whole civil
system, questions as to the right of
property. the precedence and power Of
rulers. indeed the whole social organ
ization, was based upon tho descent
of families aud tho ties Of c!ansllp:
therefore,, mere fables would not be
tolerated, instead Of facts. in their
histories: there WAS to-, much Involved.
since every evil and social claim must
he determined or, tho authority of
these facts as recorded"
Upon the Introduction of Christianity
into Ireland il WAS found that their
ancient annals stood the test of veri-
tication by science With 4, success
whicl, not only established tl1ei1 char
Hcter for truthfulness at that period.
but vindicated the records OF preced-
ing dates involved in the test. The
archaeology is. that Ireland enjoyed
unlisputed testimony Of history and
8, i1;g', degree of civilization AMI ci,l-l
t,irc centuries before her conversion
| to Christianity: her civil laws and her
| religious rites. her kings and princes
ruling tn, land. her provincial parlia..
! ncnts and her national congress, her
priests, roets and historians, are all
evidences Of civilization never yet
| found even among semi barbarous
peoples. Therefore they were q cfvil-
lied and an enlightened people bfore
| ST Patrick's advent. f IN