The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-10-17

WE SsAAAASSSs ~AA~ esASV " SA0 H4o6ouC0
Of the Redeemer of the world ON
earth in human form during thirty
three years Of His reign
"Hy Fiachra" means descendants
of Fiachra. or ''the fair haired" Sec
cestry such as ours. extending, as it
does in many cases. down to the be-
of the Christian era." all
of which many leading families of
Ireland have ample and authentic
proofs. it should not be considered in
bad taste" for the writer to correct.
or further enlighten, those who may
be seeking more knowledge on the
ancient history and geneology Of
many Of our most ancient and highly
honored Irish families.
Without wishing to detract or take
away any of the honors won by our
kinsmen. the "scots" who went
from their native land. Scotia" to
"Alban" in the early centuries. It
should be fully understood by the
reader that these same Irishmen
were not the real leaders in their
own country; as. If they had been.
they would not have forsaken their
own native and more fertile land for
the barren heaths of what was after
wards called Scotland"
In the meantime ireland continued
Its own government, with a petty
king or governor over each of its
four provinces, and an Gard RICH"
(high king) over them all. quite
similar to our own state and national
government as it exists to-day. The
kings" of the provinces being 'in
line" for succession to the monarchy
when the throne become vacant, and
its late monarch leaving no son with
all his natural senses intact) to take
his place. for in their wisdom the
whole Irish nation decided, even in
these early centuries. that no half
witted or even manned" prince. who
had lost even but one eye. was fitted
to rule over their country; therefore,
instead Of crowning such, they pre-
ferred elevating one of their other
kings" to their highest office in
stead.
Seemingly we hear some one Of
our intellectual and unprejudiced
readers. after having read the above.
say to himself: eye gods, what an
ancestry, and what people those
ancient Scots were, and how proud
their present day Irish descendants
should be in that knowledge" to
which may be added the well-known
fact that. during the succeeding CEN
turies-even through the so-called
Dark Ages scholars went
forth from their own universities and
colleges and taught the more ignor-
ant continental nations the rudiment-
airy education which such nations
were then capable of receiving; the
result being that Germany, France.
Belgium. Hungary, Spain and Italy
can now produce or show more IAN
cient manuscript" than can Ireland
herself, and that is but a drop in the
bucket compared to the other. edu-
cational undertakings of those Irish
instructors. who have left behind
them so many priceless manuscript
messages to the present day people
of the whole world.
Coming down the centuries still
further up to and beyond the time
that ireland became an integral part
of Great Britain, whose new laws
initiated against the bone and sinew
of the land. causing its commerce, its
workshops and it's manufacturing in
dustries to decay, with the result that
during the ensuing centuries and up
to the present day the sons and
daughters of that unhappy land have
sought and found shelter and susten-
ance in nearly every country or spot
on the globe; for, be it known to the
reader that. go where you will, to
any part Of the compass. some son
or some daughter Of Erin will be
found pursuing his or her honest vo-
cation or occupation, but still long
ing or yearning for the home land.
the like of which they have never yet
found. and through it all the love Of
their own kin is ever uppermost in
their hearts, and, without question
or delay, their first hard-earned saw
ings are often sent to the dear ones
"at home"
And what a people they are to fer
tilize erstwhile barren places of the
soil. which soon begins to bring forth
fruitful results from their touch, and,
again, what indispensable workmen
they prove to be in restoring the old
or upbuilding the new temples Of
the EARTH" which to them is pleas
ure as well as profit. as it brings with
it an honest way of earning their
daily bread" And thus do we find
them always to the fore in every
great undertaking where the head
and the hand of man can plan and