Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-16
francis J.K1LKE:NNY

the shamrock. has at last shaken on
the shackles which more than a GEN.
fury of poverty and oppression had
forged upon her.
Within the last few years she has put
behind her the memories of black despair
and. with a new lease on life, is now STEP
ping forth fearlessly into the new era
the dawn of which has already burst
forth over her rugged hills and verdani
valleys in brilliant radiance Of rejuve-
mated patriotism and prosperity.
X x
Every integral part of her social and
political system is responding to the
magic touch Of progress. and from a
slough of despair she is rising reincar-
mated spirit of ancient Hibernia, which.
centuries before many of the now civil
Ezed nations of Europe were aught but
rowing tribes. was the seat of culture
and learning of the west of Europe.
With Greece alone does she snare the
unparalleled honor of having preserved
through the vicissitudes Of two thousand
years an unbroken language and Itera-
ture though herself suffering serious
decline
The little green isle has kept alive its
mother tongue and rendered undying
homage to the traditions of it's birth.
All Ireland ever may hope to attain she
owes to the unfailng devotion of her
patriotic sons, many of whom, like EN-
met, have given even their lives in her
behalf. Today they are working all over
the world. these Irishmen. to promote
her Industries. increase her prestige and
revive her national characteristics.
One of the most successful movements
TO renew patriotic zeal was that of the
-, f>4sz Oh, H. ~~<
season alone brought more than twenty
thousand Irishmen back to the "ould
sod at Queenstown.
The president of this association, Mr..
Francis j. Kilkenny of Washington, sec
rotary of the controller OF the Treasury.
IN a recent interview spoke Of the prog
ress OF his native land with convincing
authority and understanding. acquired
through recent tour OF the island. His
observations were all the more note
worthy because of the comparisons which
his ten years absence enabled him to
make To him, as to all other thinking
,rishmen. the paramount topic OF the
hour is the home rule bill, which IL
expected TO become law within a short
time.
In reference TO this bit of legislation,
which has been the political bone of con-
tentior in the English parliament for so
many. many years, Mr.. Kilkenny said
The recent action Of the British house
or commons in passing the Asquith bill
is great step toward securing home
rule for the Irish. and II now looks as
II home rule will become a fact in the
near future. The leaders OF the Irish
parliamentary party have worked untir-
fngly TO bring about the passage of this
bill, and John Redmond and his col.
leagues and their allies among the Eng
Esh democracy are entitled to an ever
lasting debt of gratitude from all lovers
OF liberty for their noble efforts in he
half OF the Irish nation
should this bill become law OUT
slce capital, heretofore tirnid about going
INTO enterprises in Ireland. Will un-
doubtedly he attracted there with horne
rule established. confidence win he re-
stored. the mills and factories will start
up aid every line of industry will take
on new life. BY thus developing the re-
sources Of Ireland and upbuildinr hsr
industries the tide of emigration re FOR.
eign shores Will be stemmed and her nan
PIE VII md employment and thus be
fa.ished to remain at home.
FROM the American poipf ~ ,,,>r
the outlook for the Irish is at nres.nt
nost encouraging. American snnti-
ment has always been In favor 81 ho,n.
rule for Ireland. and the opinion gen
orally entertained throughoIlt the conr
try is that with the advent of SELF
government there will dawn a new are
OF peace. happiness and prosperity FOR
lne Emerald Isle.
This opinion is mainly based on the
remarkable change that has come
about for the betterment of the Irish
people within the last ten years Leeis.
lation on land and labor passes
through the efforts of her members of
parliament. has contributed largely to
this greatly improved condition Of at
fairs
The mercantile mind of Ireland Is
awakening, and Irish business men will
be given an opportunity to extend their
commerce and make their wares known
In all the markets of the world. Pros
percus Irish Americans can do much
now and later to encourage commercial
ssla,ions between this country and Ire