Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-04-02

ST. PATRlck's DAY. !

From the a Francisco Call.
looay we unite in celebrating the natal
larger sense to express our appreciation a.
the Irish race. whose virtues excite our
Warmest admiration and whose faults
witgy t ne SO easily condoned. The green
WWasn me shamrock and harp will be worn
the world as q fitting tribute
OF respect. ~
The early history Of Ireland is buried
her pards and MINISTRIES have handed
aoWn IN ~fragmentary tale and song tho
emate Some esp 1ieht of Of her heroes and have
ancient days. The Iverni, from whom the
names Erin and Hibernia are said to be
Ne hertved. occupied the land Until displaced
SPAIN Inc w Theas M nona,lana from sythia and
thonaIchy az Tara, and Cormac, one Of
tnelr kings, Is said to nave been a patron
OF learning and the arts.
These poetic and prehistoric legends
nave had q profound and enduring influ-
ence over the Irish mind. The Sythian in
nauers - a ace to Justin. possessed
more modern Iris1man, holding health.
courage and liberty above worldly goods
an Ma, aabhorring Discrimination and deceit.
nv wl tsrst INC advent Of Saint Patrick came
Introduction of Christianity into ireland.
he Yves born the year 400 A. D., but his
birthplace Is a question OF dispute. BY
zeal. fortitude and a winning personality
ne planted the banner OF the cross on
the confines of this heather land. con-
YER me people to the faith and organs
metropolitan see at Armagh. After his
death Findean founded the monastery Of
Clonard with 5000 pupils. Many schools
t Wers st then established. and by the end Of
seat Of learning In western Europe.
The English invasion OF Ireland begins
2 perIod OF peTsecution. repression and
customs were abolished and the ancient
system OF laws almost eradicated. Tho
people We're deprived OF their lands, Of
OF their religion. The national spirit,
dormant. still fingered In the Irish
breast.
Land Of . said the warrior bard,
Though all the world betray thee.
One faithful harp b praise thee.
thousands OF Irishmen left their native
liberty and religious freedom. History Is
adorned with the deeds of these illus
trious sons Of Erin who won renown un-
der allen skies. The martial vigor OF tho
nation has been exempliied In many q
foreign cline. To the cry OF Remember
Limerick the Irish brigade swept down
face Of history on h bloody field Of
Fontenoy.
But this lark epoch has passed away.
litical and religious privileges have been
restored and the harp once more resouads
through Tara 8 halls. The dreams OF
Grattan, O.Connell and other patriots
have been fulfilled.
Thus. Erin, oh, Erin. thy winter is past,
And the hope that lived through It shall
blossom at last.
The world owes n debt Of gratitude to
Ireland, She. has given us the satires Of
Swift, the philosophy OF Molyneux. the
craftsmanship of Burke, the poems and
plays of Goldsmith and Sheridan. h ro-
nsances of Charles Levin and the immortal
melodies of Thomas Moore. The names OF
Davis. Williams, Mitchell, Reilly, Meagher
and O'Gorrnan are household words. Nor
should the daughters Of Erin be forgotten.
They are famed In song and story for a
loveliness and grace only exceeded by
their domestic virtues.
Here's to Erin in a drop &. the craythur
or the limpid waters Of the Lee, To the
land where the shamrock is forever green
sweetness OF the Shandon bells.