The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-10-08
The Language Week Celebration in
Dublin Attended by Enthu-
siastic Crowds.
Forty Thousand People Gathered
From the Four Provinces
in the Parade.
Lord Mayor, High Sheriff and Many
Other Officials Attend
in State.

On Sunday, Sept. II, the Gaelic
League and people Of Dublin-in fact
of all Ireland-made public profession
of their sincerity and determination in
language and industries. There could
not have been a more remarkable
proof afforded of the fact that the
Language Week has come to stay, and
to be great annual incident in the
public life of the country. The magni-
ficent demonstration which marched
triumphantly along the streets Of Dub
lin, bordered by tens of thousands of
it's populace represented not only all
districts but practically all classes in
the city.
A few years ago His Grace, the
Archbishop of Dublin, paid a char
acteristic tribute to the fine demeanor
and impressiveness of the sections that
then made up the assemblage. His
Grace then said: "You have won for
yourselves high and an horoned place
in one of the greatest movements of
our time-you have a special reason to
. be proud Of what you have done to-
day in furtherance both Of the Ian
guage and Of the industries Of the
country"
Those who Joined in the demonstra-
ton, every man, woman and child,
seemed determined to prove worthy of
that kindly testimony from so great
source. It bore every outward sign Of
those moral and mental qualities which
every observer has credited the Gaelic
League with, developing wherever it
has won a foothold. This was shown
in all the ranks Of the procession-in
the contingents Of the League and
their sturdy allies Of the Gaelic Ath-
letic Association, in the thousands of
pupils of the schools and colleges, in
the numbers Of the artisans of the
city, Of the Temperance and Friendly
Societies, and other bodies that made
up the grand total Of an eventful oc-
casion. Too much praise cannot be
given to the members Of the commit
tee and their helpers who planned the
program, to the marshals who so mar
velously kept in hand the multitudes.
AS was well pointed out in the admir-
ably prepared program and guide to
the demonstration: "The Gaelic League
the salvation of Ireland. It insists that
Irishmen must speak their own Ian
guage and support and live by the
industries Of their own country. The
Irish language was on the point of
death until the Gaelic League COM
menced to preach its saving doctrine;
there was scarcely one manufacturing
industry worth the name in Ireland un-
til the Gaelic League reused the peo-
ole to a sense of their manliness and
to the fact that they must depend on
themselves.
To-day the Irish language Is In full
=. and vigorous life, and the hum Of in
dustry is heard in towns, villages and
countrysides, where but few years
ago illeness and want and discomfort
reigned supreme. It is no small boast
to make that the Irish nation at the
eleventh hour was saved from self de-
struction, but it is boast that the
Gaelic League can fairly make, and
is honestly entitled to-"
Love of country and pride Of race
have never been wanting in the Irish
character, and it is only necessary to
say that in contributing to the Irish
language collection Irishmen are help
ing to safeguard that which is the
most characteristic feature of the
Irish nation-its national language.
The Irish language procession and
demonstration annually mark the in
auguration of Seachtmhain ma Gaed-
hilge-1rish Language Week-during
which week the members Of the Gaelic
League ask their fellow countrymen
to give generous help to the Irish Ian
guage fund.
A feature Of the demonstration was