The Irish standard., 1916-02-12
The Value of Irish Literature---Suq.
gestions for Irish Library by Penn
sylvania State Secretary---Feel-
ing of Hibernian Patriotism

1t is doubtful if ever our Order has
been so deeply stirred by all the feel
ings of patriotism as it is at present.
The strange events which have oc-
CURED in Ireland during the last sew
enteen months have aroused every
man and woman of our race to intense
and keen anxiety.
1t is useless for men going about
the country denouncing "hyphens" to
tell those of Irish blood to forget Ire
land and neglect her in this hour.
No Hibernian can forget that our Or
der was founded in Ireland, fought
and bled there for centuries, and that
we have given our treasure to aid the
cause Of Nationalism for generations.
If it were our duty in the past to
help the land where rests the bones
Of our ancestors, it is our duty now.
We need not hesitate from any fear
Of those who might say that we are
"Hyphenated Americans" Hibernians
have proved the quality of their Ameri-
canism in times when the forbears of
those who are now valiant in call
ing names hid in places far from the
bullets which were Staying 1rish-Amer-
leans defending the American flag, and
nothing has occurred since to make
us ashamed of our origin.
Those who may properly be re-
preached for "hyphenation" are those
members of our race who have neglect
ed to become naturalized citizens.
Does any man, worthy Of being called
an Irishman, prefer to remain Brit
ish subject? If so, he-and his type
may Justly be called "hyphenated" in
every invidious meaning of the word
as it has come to be used.
The process Of naturalization is sim
pie. Any man Of average intelligence
may secure papers Of citizenship. The
Courts, the Judges, the community in
which he lives, and above all, the
members Of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians, will welcome him to the
legal brotherhood of American citizen
ship.
Our duty to America will be better
done if we do also our duty to Ireland.
Surely we are nobler in character II,
we remember the land where nobility
of character is racial trait. It is
not possible to cease asking the his
toric question: "How is old Ireland
and how does she stand?" The con-
vulsion Of the world war has affected
the fate of the Irish race at home, and
we, who are far removed from the
havoc Of the strife, would be recreant
to the finer feelings of manhood were
we to ignore the call of patriotism.
To preserve this patriotism of race
we must encourage Irish literature
1t is one of the functions of Hiberni
anism to disseminate a. knowledge OF
our achievements and of our contribu
tions to civilization. This knowledge
is most efficiently and permanently
secured through good books. Among
the books recently published, which
appeal with powerful logic to the mem
bers of the A. o. H. and the Ladies
Auxiliary, is the book entitled "The
Glories of Ireland" published by the
Phoenix Company, Limited, The To
ronto Hotel, Washington, D. c. This
book was compiled by Doctors Dunr
and Lennox, of the Catholic Univer
sity. It contains essays from the pens
of recognized authorities on Irish sub
jects. AS the preface of the bool
states: 1T is glorious thing for us
who are proud of Irish birth or de
scent, to think that the sons ant
daughters of mother Erin have so con
spicuously distinguished themselves IL
such varied spheres of activity ii
every age and in so many lands, ant
that We were privileged to make pub
lie the record of their achievement
In form never before attempted"
"The Glories of Ireland" is yer!
remarkable book in several ways.
is remarkable because it is so pre-
pared as to be ineligible TO the av
erage reader. The child and tn
scholar may read this book with equa
delight. The immense field of Irisl
history and endeavor is covered in it
three hundred and flfty-seven pages
The words are simple and the though
plain and strong. The patriotism /
pure and the style is varied and grace
full. Many Of the subjects upon whicl
information is desired are treated b
authors of established fame. TIL
titles Of these articles are: "The RI
nance of Irish History" by Sir Roge
Easement; THE Island of Saints an
Scholars" by Very Rev. Cano
Dalton; Irish Monks in Europe" b
Rev. Columbia Edmonds; "The Iris
and the Sea-" by William H. BabcocA
Irish Love of Learning" by Rev.
8. Nnneen; Irish Men of Science
by Sir Bertram C. A. Wfndle: LA
in Ireland" by Lawrence Ginnel