The Irish standard., 1914-03-21
Irish The World Over Recount Deeds of eands Sons Daue-
at Home and Abroad
Prospect Of Home Rule Adds Cheerful Tone Festivities Honor
of Ireland's Patron Saint
ans Contribution America" Subject of Eloquent Grafton by
JF. 7. OConnor at Minneapolis Auditorium

the judge, "is the 18th of March and
is not legal holiday by virtue of the
statutes of this state made and pro-
vided." "Well," replied the Judge, "in
this court it 'tis.'
The Irish people are quick to forgive
an injury, but slow to forget a favor.
We would be ungrateful indeed should
we forget the services of st. Patrick.
Yes, the civilized world owes debt
to this man. His work resulted in a
spiritual and intellectual awakening.
A nation staggering under the retro
gressive influences of pageant ideas
seems suddenly to be instilled with
new life. churches and schools were
built and Irish hospitality threw open
its doors and made welcome the stu
dent from Gaul, Brittany, Germany and
from the wide domain of Charlemagne.
Thousands came and drank at the
fountains Of learning inspired by
new teaching which emphasized the
brotherhood Of man and the father.
hood of God. What a picture to con-
template-1reland,-happy free Ireland
with the fire Of learning burning from
every hill top, with prayer and sacri-
flee rising from her Christian affairs.
Welcoming the fullness of her gener-
GUS heart, the people of every land;
hill, field and village responding to the
new life, while the play of untrameled
genius displayed itself in song and in
story. Peace, prosperity and happi-
ness marked the island for centuries.
l shall not picture the invading armies
from other lands which came by in
vitation and violating every obligation
of guest, forgot to leave. Suffice it
to say that the two most powerful in
fluences to drive an 1rishman from his
home were at work in Ireland, name
ly: oppression and famine. An Irish
man refuses to submit to dictation and
would rather live in America than
starve in ireland. During the past
century, over four million Irishmen
came to the United States. Let us
sketch briefly some of the contribu-
tions to America by some of these
Irishmen and some of their sons.
Let me say that the Irish people are
not unconscious of the magnificent
contribution to American civilization
made by other races, in your own
splendid state and in mine. We would
indeed be ungrateful were we not to
recognize the valuable contributions to
the upbuilding of this great northwest
by the Scandinavian people. Not
alone as agriculturalists and business
men, but as statesmen as we learned
what craftsmanship was in that splen-
did Scandinavian-Americ prodigy
and fallen leader, the late John A.
Johnson.
1reland's contribution to America
commences with challenge to Eng
land, that taxation without representa-
ton was tyranny. On every battle
field where this principle was contest.
ed in the bitter conflict which followed
repudiating England's right to levy
and collect taxes, Irishmen laid down
their lives. We have it from no less
authority than the speaker Of the as
sembly of Pennsylvania, that one.half
the continental army was composed of
Irishmen, while but ne-fourth was ma
tive born Americans. Was there ever
more unequal conflict waged? Not
soldier, not an officer, not even q
centralized government, but notwith-
standing all this, hurling defiance at
the greatest physical power on earth.
The words Of Patrick Henry swept
over the land. The response to the
call to arms was as enthusiastic as 1t
was instantaneous. Compelled under
the cruel laws of James l to leave
their homes, one hundred thousand
Irishmen were banished from ireland
to America between 1649 and 1866;
and the flow Of immigration continued
under King George III. 1t is not
strange therefore that Irishmen took
an important part in that great strug.
gle. Americans have not forgotten the
splendid services Of Charles Thomson
and John Dunlop, the printer Of the
first American newspaper and their
condemnation of Lord Grenville's
Stamp Act, drawing their inspiration
for the celebrated work Of William
Monlyneaux published in Ireland.