The Irish standard., 1917-08-25

pie of Ireland; the unjust punishment
and cruel execution of the leaders of
that movement by the British govern
ment will never be forgotten.
Let me call your attention to the
proclamation drawn up by the provi-
sional government of the Irish repub-
lie In Easter week, 1916.
eve declare the right of the peo-
pie OF ireland to the ownership and
to the unfettered control Of Irish des-
TIMES to be sovereign and indefeasible.
Long usurpation Of that right by for
eign people and government has not
extinguished that right, nor can 1t ever
be extinguished except by the destruc-
ton of the Irish people,"
In every generation the Irish peo-
pie have asserted their right to nation
al freedom and sovereignty. Six times
during the past three hundred years
they have asserted it in arms. Stand
ing on that fundamental right, and
again asserting it in arms in the face
of the world, we hereby proclaim the
Irish republic as a sovereign indepnd-
ent state, and we pledge our lives and
the lives of our comrades in arms to
the cause Of it's freedom, its welfare
and it's exaltation among the nations"
It is any wonder in the face of these
facts that there is unrest, dissatisfac-
ton and disturbance in that unfor-
tunate land. The people of Ireland
cherish self-government and by right
should have it. The battle in Easter
week and the blood that was shed by
these patriotic and devoted heroes was
to redeem Ireland, establish repub-
lican form of government and bring
peace, prosperity and happiness to
their native land. These are the same
principles that gave birth to this re-
public.
Our movement will go on until the
victory is won. It will not be settled
by any limited home rule act or by
the hand picked convention now in SEES
sion, where it is reported that:
There is a growing impression that
the Constitutional Nationalist and the
fisherman may come to appreciate
each other. better, through the conven-
ton, and may unite on broad lines SO
as to keep Ireland a component part
of the British Empire.
With this information before us will
anyone contend or does it appear that
this convention, where the delibera-
tons are conducted in secret and
where the law prevents the publica-
tion of any information pertaining to
what is taking place therein, will ever
fulfill the hopes and desires of the
Irish people.
What I had in mind when I intro
duced my resolution was that move
ment would be started and petitions
secured demanding of Congress the
passage of the resolution, and when
Congress meets in regular session, in
December, hope we may be able to
secure such action as your societies
deem most advisable.
Twenty-one nations are now in
volved in this dreadful war; and 1 am
unwilling to believe that when peace
is declared, with our claims properly
presented, the representatives of these
nations comprising the peace confer
ence will hesitate to consider the
claims of Ireland for self-governed
republic, if we are to have League
of Honor" fighting for peace in the
world.
In conclusion let me say in the
words of your petition to the presi-
dent and Congress for the independ-
ence of Ireland.
eve therefore, respectfully urge up
on the president and the Congress the
necessity and good policy of giving a
great example to the world by insist
ng that England shall grant Ireland
complete national independence"
Resolution.
We, the United Irish Societies Of
Chicago, in this our 42nd Annual Dem
onstration, hereby wish to state the
aspirations of the 1rish-American and
the purposes of his citizenship.
Our record through all time has es-
tablished our fealty and loyalty to
these United States. We stood every
contest, met every emergency and re-
sponded to every call of duty, and
need not at this late date proclaim
our loyalty or declare our patriotism
We, as a race, have met tyranny at
home and on every revolutionary
field of America, and have lived and
struggled to fulfill what the worl is
now calling for when she asks that
every nation shall be free, and no
country shall be master of it's neigh
Dor.
Ireland too is a nationality and
comes under the definition of Presi-
dent Wilson, and if this war closes
with our fatherland still a colony in
stead of Republic, our fight for seven
centuries will have been lost and the
proclamations that have prompted this
war will go down through the ages
as mockery.
We, as race, have a right to
speak in freedoms name, as we have
CT, 1forod II, froodom,o oouoo xnoro %hor