The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-01-13
ABSTRACT OF ADDRESS
BY HON, D, v, LAWLER
The A. O. H. Essentially a Patriotic
and Philanthropic Order, Said
the Speaker.
Founded for the Purpose of Keeping
Alive Light of Faith in Dark
Night of Persecution.
Its Members Rejoicing Because
Home Rule is Inevitable in
a Few Years.

| L|>S"1Sh tlI liz IIlueIAluu DduuuCC IN
this city on New Years Day:
Mr.. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentle
audience, 1 shall say at the outset,
that l shall not detain you more than
Il very few moments.
| The subject has been so we'll COW
cred by the splendid addresses of our
Right Reverend Bishop and His Ex-
cellency, The Governor. that little re-
mains to be said. l presume as a
matter of fact that the only reason
why ! am called on is that the presid-
ing officers Of the Ancient Order Of
Hibernans have gotten into the habit
and would not consider the proceed
illgs regular without having some sort
OIL an address from me as a repre-
sentative of the rank and file of the
Order i'll this state. | occupy tonight
the unique distinction OF being the
only person at the head table who is
not embellished with Il title
AS l look around upon this gather
ing, ! am forcibly reminded of the
flight of years and of the fact that
more than a quarter of a century has
passed since ! had the honor Of be-
ing initiated into the Order of Ancient
Order of Hibernians at a state con-
venton held in the city OF Winona
Most OF the great leaders of that day
have passed to their reward but many
or them are with us tonight hale and
hearty and as enthusiastic in the
cause as they were when in the flush
OF youth and manhood, twenty five
years ago. 1t is a great consolation
and inspiration to behold the tremen-
dous growth and advancement Of our
Order in this state, as compared with
spring and encouraging to notice the
presence tonight of so many sons and
daughters representing the present
generation and wOrthily and well
wearing the honored names of those
who have gone before.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is
especially IL patriotic and philanthrop-
ic Order. 1t was founded in the stormy
and mournful period of the history of
our people for the purpose OF keeping
alive the light of religion and learn
ing, In the dark night of persecution
and oppression. We detract from the
just claims of no other race when we
say that no other people has sacri-
feed so much for the cause Of Christ
and the old historic religion as tho
race which Is represented here to-
night. And in the story Of the strug-
gle which man has made in the cause
of self government and constitutional
freedom, no other people has ven-
tured more or sacrificed more of blood
and treasure in the Cause of human
liberty.
!, 1t is equally our proud boast that
the alien rulers Of our people were
never able to succeed by Penal Law
or prison cell in preventing the gen.
erations that have gone before from
obtaining the highest mental develop
ment and education of the intellectual
dowed this people.
l have nothing but absolute con-
tempt and loathing for the West Brit
onism, especially when exhibited by
anyone of Irish ancestry, which con-
descendingly declares that Ireland
simply wants local government, such
should not have complete indepepd
ence.
1t is unnecessary to say to this gath
ering that the present is bright with
hope and that no earthly power car
defer more than a few years the at
tainment Of a large measure of free
dom and self-government in the old
land. Home rule, however, will be but
a step in the right direction. The
Irish people will never be satisfied
with any half way measure and the
Ancient Order Of Hibernians will new
err disband its splendid organization
until the Irish people shall have at
tanned to the full measure of indie.
!. pendence and separate nationality
which are the right of every people.
We shall take home rule and we
shall then take complete independence
and nationality If we desire it. An6
in so doing we shah simply be true
, to the most elementary and the most
{ precious American Political Doctrine
which the fathers wrote in the
Declaration of Independence wher
they announced that no nation and nc
man had the mower tn surrender life