The Irish standard., 1916-03-11
would at the first opportunity burst in
to flame.
interest in Irish Affairs Moral Right.

the land OIL our nome ana alleSlanCG,
have but an abusive interest in the af-
fairs and condition Of Ireland. Even
if that we're wholly true, such interest
involves the search for truth, and in
that We a.:e now engaged. But it is
not wholly true. We have in addition
a concrete living interest in the land
of our birth or of our forefathers, in
the cradle of our race and in our kim
dred.
In taking such active interest we ex-
ercise Il moral right, always provided
that we do not contravene any moral
or legal duty to our country, and it is
indisputable that so far there is not
a single instance of citizen of Irish
blood who, because of his love for or
interest in the old land, failed in the
performance OF his full duty to Ameri-
ca as soldier, sailor, or civilian.
If we needed example or justifica-
tion, it is amply furnished by the ac-
tivities of our fellow citizens, who,
with commendable generosity, support
and maintain works of benevolence,
education and religion in countries and
among peoples in which they have ma
tional or racial interests, and instances
have occurred where their citizenship
has been used, and properly used. to
influence governmental action in be-
half of their worthy purpose.
The loyalty and devotion of the sons
of Ireland to the Republic from its
birth to the present day need not as
sertion. Every page of its history fur
nishes a record of their work in it's
creation and in its defence against enc
mics from within and without.
Washington's Warning.
In these days, when the world is on
! fire and the minds of men as il from
contagion are more or less inflamed, 1t
is cause for deep cOngratulation that
our country is tranquil and beyond the
ravages of war. TO our geographical
position. our remoteness from the field
of conflict, our Indifference to the rival
res and jealousics of the warning ma
tions, but above all to the example
and precept of Washington, may we
attribute the happiness of our country
in contrast with the misery of others.
With the voice of the patriot, the
teacher and the prophet Washington
warned against the dangers of foreign
alliances or entanglcments. lie clear
ly perceived and measured the evils
] to his country of any connection with
1lht ay7Astic quarrcls. the diplomatic
lah!1uss, the greed for conquest, and
::H:.a :H:.a last for power. which for ages
have been distinctive features of GER
tain European nations.
BY none of his children. natural or
adopted, has his warning been accept
| ed with greater sOlicitude and deeper
significance than by those of Irish an
cestry. Whether it be because of their
knowledge derived from historys bit
ter experience is not now of moment.
The fact is that they have been contin-
ually on the alert, as far as in their
power lay, to utilize as an active liv-
ing force the warning uttered by
Washington.
Never in our national life has there
been such need of continued, nay of in
creased, alertness as there is today.
Within the boundaries of our Rcpub-
lie there dwell unity and peace. and
prosperity smiles as seldom, If ever,
before. Notwithstanding, the rumbles
of the storm are heard on our shores.
If ii breaks and engulfs our country,
but one impulse from every heart Of
Ireland's blood in America will arise
to maintain our countrys honor and
defend her interests.
Concurrent with this resolve, there
is faith and there is hope: faith in
the wisdom and patriotism of those
entrusted with responsibility and au-
thOrity, that a dread decision to plunge
into all the horrors of war will not be
made until all honorable means to
avert it will have been exhausted and
If that be made, it will not rest on triv-
ial or meticulous grounds; hope that
the good sense of the American people
| will resist and Illustrate the sinister
propaganda that is being waged from
press and platform for the purpose of
embroiling us in the European strife.
A Dangerous Propaganda.
That there is danger in the propa-
ganda is obvious. 1t is sustained by
powerful social, political and financial
influences, and in addition to the false
pretence that the cause of civilization
and Of smalb nationalities is at stake.
1t involves what is termed interna-
tional law as warrant for aggressive
action. BY that high sounding phrase
many we'll meaning and patriotic men
are being misled. They overlook the
fact that law is force. Without force.
law Is an abstraction. Were there not
force behind our national and state
laws, neither personal safety nor prop
erty rights could be protected. What
is international law has never been
declared by competent authority, and
its illusory provisions are respected or
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