The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-09-01
THE CAREER OF ROGER VAIL.

THE CAREER OF ROGER VAIL.
On Saturday last Aug rs. terminated the earthly
reer of Roger Vail, who during period of more than
thirty extending to about years ago. occupied
conspicuous place in the public life of the Twin Cities
Irish gentleman and scholar Of the old school
type that is not familiar to the present generation of
Americans. His activities such to place him in
very the of American ife business
sentiment that while he retained his love for the
country his BIRTH he did fail appreciate the dig
nifty and worth of American citizenship.
the fortunate position of the people who migrate
from Ireland to America that they find incompatbiy
their allegiance the land of their adoption and their
retention of their affection for the motherland There
mental reservation when the immigrant from Erin
allegiance land of the free and the home
of the brave.
These consideration explain the Of Roger
Vail Others of the of sturdy pioneers who
arrived in the United States about the middle of the last
century The crueties and deprivatons suffered in the
old country had embttered them against England and
they filled with determination to strike blow
at their ancient enemy wherever and whenever possible
They came when the great of railroad building was
it's beginning and they followed in their travels the
lines of the many of these large systems They were
obliged to contend with prejudice and religious BIZ
gotry every "No Irish apply" legend
that confronted them with exasperating frequency But
they continued to apply and employed and finally
welcomed and to the highest positions in the ave-
of industry and commerce. and in the of
decade two-especiay during the period of the Civil
Wharf.-The deestable legend became obsolete
In the literary field Roger Vail of the pioneers
of that host of writer's and editors of the Irish
plying positions of responsibility nearly all the impor
tant publications of the country.
1t be said of the of this type that at least in
the early part of their lives they obliged be al
the defensive Insults and slurs to their
and religion matters frequent occurrence,
often emanaed from such powerful and influential
that required in addition to facie mental equipment
stawart courage and unfnching grit to oppose and
flute them OF these qualities, in marked degree Mr.
Vail the possessor and he did not hesitate enlist
them in the service of his and religion whenever
and wherever occasion arose. He was thoroughly we'll
informed in all matters pertaining to Irish history and
politics. and we'll grounded in the principles of the
Catholic faith and doctrnal teaching He did shrink
from controversy of kind and seemed to be at his
best when serving the batteries in defense of his and
faith The record of his long and active brises
with substantial and credabe service to the
that lodged in his mind heart He only
his rights but knowing dared maintain them in the
of the manifold and bitter assaults of time that is
passing into oblivion And he fought fairly and honor
ably both with tongue and pen, though his antagonists
often resorted to vtuperaton and calumny His
mind we'll stocked of solid facts, and prin-
cples and with these his he boldly entered
the fray against those who sought dscredit vy
his religion. That he fought brave and
able fight conceded by those who felt the force
of his telling blows and the keen thrust of his sword
For he associated with the Irish Stand
ard in the capacity of editorial writer and
readers familiar with the many able productions of
his facie The impress of his sterling character and
high ambition are heritage which we hold nval.
liable guide and landmark in the shaping policies
and plans and this community long appreciate the
benefcent and kindly influence of his life and
And he has passed to the great beyond his
deeds and motives his plans purposes
final adjudication before the Supreme Tribunal
trust and pray he will receive that everlasting reward
in Paradise of the faith that through DEATH while
we cherish here the sweet memory of his virtues.
"Rest thee, spirit! Strife is ended
n Battle over, labor done
i All earth's grandly blended
In the which thou hast won"