The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-04-05
Best Are the Lovers and Friends
Who Shall Live, the Days of
Thy Glory to See"
Present Position of Ireland One of
Supreme Interest to the
Different Parties.
Future of Old Land, as Viewed by
Rev. John Dunphy, Vice Rector
of St. Thomas College.

On Tuesday evening. at the Japan
ese F'ete held in st. Stephens parish.
this city. Rev. John Dunphy, vice rec
tor OF ST. Thomas college, delivered tho
following address:
oh! blest are the lovers and friends
who shall live.
The days Of thy glory to see
More than a century has passed
since this noble sentiment thrilled tho
fcrvid and patriotic soul Of Thomas
Moore. Today that poetic vision OF
Erin's future glory is about to pass
from the realm of dreams and fond
aspirations to the initial stages OF
reality. Ireland is today full Of joy
ous expectancy. Her eyes are "dim
with glorious tears" expressive OF
that inward joy that mixes man with
heaven" For, today, she has almost
within her gentle grasp the golden
fruit OF long and glorious struggle.
IIGI llldilNh hIC uuS W utt NAltOuI sillu
patriotic SONS
''Who rowing hard against the stream,
saw distant gates of Eden gleam,
and did not dream it was IL dream"
Tl'f.- .lseseDt p2sitian1 OF Ireland on n,
the political chess board is one OF Sill
preme interest, not to Nationalists
merely. but to Unionists as well, and
to all political observers. When a,
last the sun of Emancipation rises in
full glory upon her verdant shores.
may the spirits of her ilustrous dead
guard and direct her destiny through
every contingency OF time. through
every vicissitude OF fortune. in the
words OF immortal lCmmet-"she takes
her place among the nations Of the
earth.'
1t is the laudable ambition OF all
the children Of the scattered Gael to
see ireland free and independents II
is the divine right Of every nation 10
control her own national interests. 10
enjoy her own distinctive charactcris-
tics. and to pursue unmolested and
unconlincd her own national ideals.
II is the divine right and duty of ev-
cry nation to Nicld the sword against
the dcspot who would wrench from
her grasp the heritage Of freedom and
nationality. For centuries ireland l1a.
suffered great political wrong at the
hands Of her ambitious and powerful
sister. She has been tlisinhertcd and
treated with contumely: forbidden to
make her own laws: forbidden to
raise her own flag over her own ma
tona Capitol. III the face OF black
discouragement and despair she has
for centuries maintained hcr persist
cnt struggle for justice. until the sun
dawn upon her political horizon. Let
us hope that when the emblem Of her
freedom floats over historic College
Green she will labor to surpass even
the fame OF her ancient glory.
Some few weeks ago the British
House Of Commons witnessed one of
the most memorable scenes. Political
rivalry had filled the spacious CALLER
les to their utmost capacity. Intense
excitement prevailed, intense interest
was visible ON every countenance.
After several months OF tempestuous
debate and ultra violent resistance
and hostility the Asquith Home Rule
bill passed it's third reading. A wild
scene OF indescribable tumult follow
ed, in which shouts Of triumphant
juloilation were mingled with the an
cry Kisses and derisive cheers of de-
! fcated opposition. 1t was a moment
not unlike that which saw the birth
Of the new American Republic. when
her valiant sons burst asunder the
arbitrary chains with which a foreign
and misguided despotism would have
bound them.
No wonder, then, that Ireland's IL
lustrious leader, who for thirty years
has batt,ed in her sacred cause, ex-
claimed: For my colleagues and my
self this is a very serious and solemn
y moment. We have met with disaster
defeat and encouragement. but. 5nev-