The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-02-13
THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS.

sAAOu6AOut SAC SOuAJIy, 1AlSu LIoA True
and of undaunted and defying spirit
are asking themselves, are the Irish
volunteers merely . part of the Brit
ain program in offering an outlet for
national enthusiasm intended to cap
ture Irish zeal and when the time
comes to strike find that the influence
and effort Of the Organization is d.
rected in imperial channels. The
question is sane one to ask, but
whether or not it is altogether safe
depends upon the sincerity of those
who are working with the organization
or are able to keep it from being be-
trayed into subserviency into British
interest. England made certain that
the volunteers of 1856 were hopelessly
wrecked before she violated the
treaties Of Irish neutrality, and it will
be inconsistent with Englands his
tory If the genius zeal and enthusiasm
of the Irish voluntssEs as they exist
now will not be hope1essly divided, or
have distilled into their leaders such
notions of England's new-found love
and interest in Ireland as will destroy
their effectiveness. Sound records
and advice and warning on these very
points were recently uttered at a
meeting in Clogher Parochial hall in
County Tyrone, by a Mr.. Newman,
speaking, as he explained in a state
to repair the damage caused by the
Irish national party. The meeting
was held under the auspices of the
Irish volunteers. The chair was taken
by Rev. James O'Daly, G. c., who said
the Volunteers of that district had adj
hered to their original pledge, and un-
like certain party leaders, had pur-
chased real rifles, not gaspipes, of
Italy, made and used before he was
born, and only intended as playthings
for babies. The Volunteers were no
wheel in a party machine or in the
Imperial machine. They were an
Irish army pledged to secure and de-
fend the hopes of their own nation.
In the course Of his remarks the
lecturer explained that he had been
asked to address this and other meet.
ings throughout Ireland, in order, by
the use Of the human voice to repair
as much as possible the damage
caused by the destruction of our ma.
tional press.
When he first spoke from political
platform it was at the invitation of
the United Irish League. He had, in
those days, believed that words were
intended to convey a genuine meaning.
But rough experience had taught him
that in Ireland people used words in
most cases with a glorious disregard
for their meaning, and In some cases
to disguise their thoughts. That might
or might not be due to the fact that
the majority in Ireland spoke a for.
eign language. Here were few in
stances:
The United Irish League meant the
United with England League. Civil
and religious liberty meant Ito hi
with the Pope" A free gift of free
people meant Ireland sold again. The
one bright spot meant, in the mouth
of certain politician, Heaven knows
what those Irish will do now that they
are armed and drilled"
There was one exception: The Irish
Volunteers meant the one hope of Ire
land! He had come to urge them to
redouble their efforts, to arm, drill.
and equip their companies. And why!
Because the Volunteers Of 1885 had,
without firing shot, forced q treaty
with England treaty Of Irish neu.
trality, or Irish Independence. But
England proceeded to tear up that
scrap Of paper. Before she tore it up
she took care to wreck the Volunteers.
and after that Ireland became q pro-
vince inhabited by slaves. and lost half
her population. On the day that our
present Volunteers were disarmed
and disbanded. we were slost. But by
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