The Irish standard., 1913-03-15

midst of many difficulties.
But the work in it's darkest days
did not lack inspiration. The editors
had confidence in the principles for
which the paper stood. They believed
its object was high and worthy and
that final triumph was inevitable.
With this spirit behind it and the de-
termination of it's managers that it
would not fail, it was saved from the
fate that has befallen so many VEN
lures in the field of journalism from
that day to the present time.
In our initial announcements we
stated that the paper had for its main
purpose to support the cause for
which Charles Stewart Parnell was
then so gallantly fighting. The strug-
gle looked then as il 1t We're. all but
won. But it received sad setback.
Again at little later date fortune
seemed about to smile with the coun-
tenance of victory on the struggling
race, but again was the hope to fade,
but, thank God, not to vanish. For
never has there been time when the
hope OF victory vanished from the
true Irish heart.
We gave what support we could to
Parnell and his successors. Through
dark days and bright we gave what
little impetus we could to a move
ment we believed, and vet believe,
has justice and right for its founda-
ton and inspiration. Today the
weight Of the influence of the party
which has cherished the cause for
which Parnell fought is fitting the
scale back to it's rightful position. To-
day the outlook is brighter than it
ever was before in the long and
changeful struggle. Today the gall
liant army of Home Rulers, reinforced
In numbers and determination, is
storming the heights. The enemy is
retreating. The last blow is about to
be struck. Tomorrow Home Rule will
be Won!
And while the cause in Ireland is
meeting the success that it Justly
merits, the Irish in America are meet
ing with no less encouraging success.
Wonderful have been the changes in
the last quarter of a century. From
mental positions of drudgery our peo-
pie have advanced step by step until
they are no longer the "hewers OF
wood and carriers of water" Their
names are to be found in the honor
lists of all the professions, their influ-
ence is felt in every quarter and in
every industry worthy of note and
positions of honor and trust are
opened to them and filed by them as
in no other country in the world.
Twenty-seven years have passed
since We took up the task which, with
this issue, we transfer to other hands.
The years have passed quickly. 1t
does not seem SO long. 1t is a short
period in the life Of a nation, but a
long period in the life of a man. What
changes, could we but note~them, have
transpired since then! What vicissi-
tudes in the lives Of those who have
read these pages! Even in the his
tory Of the nation itself great changes
have been chronicled in these COL
ulnns. The Dakotas, Montana, Idaho
and Washington, states in which The
Irish Standard has enjoyed Il good
circulation and excellent support,
were territories when the first issue
was published. The Irish Standard
has seen the population shift west
ward, territories opened up and set
tied, cities spring into existencc-all
this while it has remained under the
same management. Where is there a
parallel to be found?
But we must draw this reminis.
cence to close. And in closing we
would be false to the support we have
received from SO many quarters and
SO many generous hands were we not
to extend heartfelt thanks to every
one who, during the period which we
nave briefly reviewed, helped us in
our struggle to maintain a class pa
per in the Northwest. For the kindly
encouragement Of the A. O. II. and
the Ladies' Auxiliary We extend
thanks that We can but feebly ex-
press. For every letter Of encourage
ment from our readers and our con-
temporaries. for every word of kindly
criticism we extend the same heart
felt thanks. For the errors we made
and who has not erred? we beg a
kindly indulgence.
If We have been 50 fortunate as to
have brought ray Of hope or a
zephyr of cheer into any life we will
feel that we have not labored in vain
And now with that reluctancy tina,