The Irish standard., 1916-03-11

In our day and.generation there has
not arisen such an emergency as now
demands that American citizens of
Irish birth or blood express themselves
in unmistakable language towards the
great struggle that is now convulsing
Europe, in SO far as the present or
future interests of Ireland are or may
be affected.
Because of the widespread misrepre-
sentation of our attitude and the falsi-
fication of the condition of Ireland, we
are called upon to speak in defense of
truth, for otherwise silence would i'm
ply acquiescence in what we know to
be false.
Therefore it is that we from all parts
of the country assemble in convention
for the purpose of removing by definite
declaration whatever of false impress
sion there may exist in America, and
of unequivocally conveying to the peo-
pie of Ireland our faith in their cour-
age and fortitude.
American Aid to the Irish Cause.
For over half century American
citizens of Irish birth or blood have
been contributing to what is generally
known as the Irish Cause. Whether
that cause was for the relief of the IA
mine-afflicted people, or to promote So
called constitutional agitation, or to
sustain the battle for national life, it
has been supported to degree beyond
generosity. To compute, even approxi-
mately, the money donated from every
source and for every purpose is be-
yond the bounds of practical accom-
plishment, but at all events it is of
such proportion as to demonstrate to
the world that the Irish in America
have made noble and prompt response
to every call for assistance from the
old land.
Putting aside the contributions for
purely benevolent purposes, and con-
sidering those for political purposes,
it must be admitted that the response
to all calls was not equally spontane-
Gus. The majority of people who left
Ireland carried with them an ideal, and
a sting of resentment, which became
intensified, when, by their experience
of life in America they had practical
illustration of what their native coun-
try could be under free institutions
and just administration of laws for
the protection and benefit of it's people,
But it was the ideal that attained
the character of permanence. 1t was
not conceived on the voyage over the
Atlantic. It was inherited from gen.
erations who contended for it through
centuries. It was hallowed by the
sufferings and martyrdom of people.
1t was preserved and has been carried
by the immigrant wherever human
activities were employed. With him
and his descendants it is today a
living force, and that ideal is an IRISH
NATION, governed by Irish laws, made
by and for the Irish people.
Support to ParneII and Davitt.
While this ideal was cherished, it
was not exclusive. Whatever method
or movement gave reasonable promise
of benefit to the people of Ireland,
met with generous support. Even
though scant faith was accorded in the
ultimate good of any measure that
fell short of Irish independence, yet
adherence was given to every meas.
ure for relief and while loyalty to the
ideal was religiously maintained, &C.
ceptance was given to every proposal
of merit as means to an end. Thus,
when Parnell and Davitt came to
solicit assistance in their patriotic
work, it was the men of the uncom.
promising type that gave them well
come, and throughout the country in
their respective localities formed the
nucleus Of the great organization that
developed into the Land League.
Its slogan was the land for the
people, and in good faith it was accept
ed as meaning that a people who
owned and cultivated the soil even.
tually owned and ruled the country.
In substance this was the doctrine
preached by every successive deleg-
alton of Irish members of the British
Parliament that annually visited
America, and who received moral and
generous substantial aid. We in
America deeply regret that these
periodic visits have ceased, for, since
them an annual stipend Of s400 we