The Irish standard., 1914-01-03

The greatness and glory of a people
do not depend entirely upon national
achievement, says V. A. Parish, in the
Notre Dame Scholastic" There is a
difference between being great as a
people and being great as a nation.
The Greeks won their renown prin-
cipally as people, while of the Ro-
mans we may say that their chief glory
lies in what they achieved as nation.
The glory of Ireland lies in what its
people have accomplished.
The Irish are remarkable, because
for every walk of life, for every field
of human affairs, they have produced
men of the highest type, men of ex-
traordinary ability. In war, turning the
tide of battle; in peace, Strengthening
the councils of nations; in the realms
of the esthetic, adding to the riches of
literature and art; in the busy world,
turning the wheels of commerce and
moving the machinery of industry; in
fact, in every sphere of human activity,
may be found the sons of the Irish
race
They are remarkable, not only be.
cause of what they have accomplished,
but also because of the conditions un-
der which they have labored, the op-
preston of political institutions which
fate seems to have destined for them
.te sasAfsr.2 In short, this is the race
with which Nature has been most
prodigal, endowing it with a variety
of characteristics, with most remark
able versatility, and lavishing upon it's
country her choicest gifts, making it a
most congenial home for man.
Has Overcome NumberIess Adversities
It is, at the same time, a race that
has met with numberless adversities.
race that has had to contend with
innumerable difficulties. Nevertheless,
it has borne those difficulties nobly,
and it has distinguished itself in war
and in peace, in the affairs of govern
ments, in the pursuits of industry and
commerce, and in the world of litera-
ture and art.
Ireland with her fertile fields, green
meadows, beautiful woods, delightful
climate, and incompatible scenery of
all kinds, with her shore washed by
the warm waters of the Gulf stream,
with her natural resources, seems to
have been intended by Providence for
the home of happy people; but this
has been perverted. England mistook
her for slave; and that island, en-
dowed with all the necessary environ
ments for the home of a happy people,
has been subjected to the purblind
policy of nation that has seemingly
done all in her power to make it the
home of a wretched people. If brutal
treatment could make a people brutal,
the Irish would long ago have sunk to
the lowest depths of degradation.
All Races and Peoples Interested.
There is one characteristic in par
ticular inherent in the mental makeup
of this wonderful race, that has saved
them from such fate; they can always
see some rays of the star of hope even
through the darkest cloud of adver-
sity. The character of this people is
so remarkable that it has aroused the
interest of all races and peoples. They
are Industrious and home-loving; they
have learned to suffer with the stoic's
fortitude; they are characterized by a
sharpness of wit that cannot be sur.
passed; they possess shrewdness, a
subtlety sometimes concealed under
the semblance of dullness; they seem
to have an instructive knowledge of
the world, which others must acquire
by mingling in its societies. Hospital.
ity is a characteristic predominant to
a fault. Their love for their family is
equaled only by their patriotism.
One element of their nature which,
in some instances, is a failing, is their
SACSS61t0 1OVo VI WoAAoAc. III UdILAc
there is none more fearless. In fact,
their impetuous bravery often causes
them to rush into dangers which dis
erection should cause them to shun.
No people can boast of an equal
chastity among its women. The Irish
have in their breasts love of liberty
and justice which nothing can eradi-
cate.
Upon no people have more severe
methods for the suppression Of re.
ligious freedom been inflicted, and
in the hearts of no people does the de-
sire for that freedom burn more ard