The Irish standard., 1911-10-21
John E. Redmond Gives Resume of
Stirring Times at Unveiling
of Memorial.
Says Ireland Today is Just Whers
it was When the Great Leader
Was Most Hopeful.
Bids his Countrymen Take to Heart
the Lesson to be Learned From
Parnell's Life,

The unveilng of the Parnell monu-
ment in Dublin on October list was
the occasion for a. patriotic demon
stration in Ireland which has seldom
sented there and all hearts were in
one accord in rendering the profound
est and sincerest respect to one who,
to quote Mr.. John Redmond's own
words. was the greatest son Of Iro.
land since the days Of Hugh ONeill.
Mr.. Redmonds address was a noble
appeal to his fellow countrymen to
heed tho advice Of the great Parnell
in the present political crisis. In part
MIR. Redmond spoke as follows:
Fellow countrymen. we have as
Nationalist demonstration ever held
since Parnelrs funeral in the City of
Dublin. We are assembled here today
to perform great and sacred Nation
al duty. Twenty years ago, this very
week, Parnell died. Twenty years-;l
generation! There may be young men.
listening to me at this moment WHO !
were only born in that tragic week!
1t seems a long time, or rather, to
those who do not understand the ten
acious memory Of the Irish people for
long time to have waited before rails
ing this monument in honor of our
Chief. But in truth, fellow-country-
men. is not this the inevitable mo-
ment for this solemn national duty?
Does it not seem chosen for us by the
inscrutable Hand which orders events
in the long run, no matter how we
may place them? For, in all the twen-
ty years which have passed, what mo-
mcnt more fitting for the Irish race
to assemble in gratitude and homage
present fateful hour in our history
this juncture between two eras at
which we stand today? We have got
back, at last. to the point to
which Parnell had led us, before he
and our cause were submerged in that
catastrophe Of twenty years ago.
There are some differences, no doubt,
between then and now. The twenty
years have not been wholly fruitless.
Some of the work he had already ac-
complished has borne results. But, in
fho To- },,s<
back at that stage to which he brought
it when. in the zenith of his power,
with the democracy Of Great Britain
sweeping to victory behind their own
mighty leader-sweeping to victory on
a spring tide of enthusiasm which no
obstacle could have withstood-it was
as certain as any human thing can
be that but for the bolt from the blue,
we should have had an Irish Parlia-
ment established in this Metropolis
within four twenty months. That
following the course which he planned
and pointed out to us.
With that past behind us, we are
looking again into an almost exactly
similar future. But, oh, with what a
difference! He was with US then. Now
we are bereft of his great heart, his
eagle vision, his iron will, his genius
for craftsmanship and rule, as we, les
ser men, with the burden of the great
nSss he has left us, enter upon what
lies before us with strained and anx-
ious minds. Fellow countrymen, it is
at such moment we gather round
this monument And I say, what could
be more fitting, even providential, than
that we should do so at this juncture?
For if we have not himself to inspire
and guide us, we have his memory.
So let us gather here-let all of us,
would beseech, all the elements Of the
Irish nation and race. gather here to-
day and obtain, at this solemn pass
in our history, fresh inspiration ana
fresh strength in honoring the men,
ory Of this mighty leader, whom God,
in His favor, vouchsafed to Ireland.
What are the chief thoughts that come
to us as we stand in this presence?S
Fellow countrymen, he would need to