The Irish standard., 1919-05-10

BFaham LaWs-we who know the cul-
ture and refinement existing in that
Isle throughout her history. They
stand second If not rival with the
culture of Ancient Greece, both cul-
ture and refinement, and then these
men send out this propaganda. Dive
back into the history of Ireland, bring
forth real facts, and then only you
will be in position to refute this lie.
II we were filed with the spirit that
country was, back in the twilight his
tory that we scarcely have any tradi-
tion left-if we knew facts as we
should know them I believe Ireland
with the influence of America would
be free and Independent.
Go back especially through the last
century. England has been trying to
kill that history, and has been trying
to eliminate and take the progress
from the Irish nation, their schools,
etc. I went to school in Ireland; I
went to the national schools. l never
ran away because of poverty as in
many instances did many Of the good
people of that Isle-I came that I
might live In a land where freedom
reigned, and where men live as God
created and ordained them to live free
and independent.
Go back further and note the refine
ment and culture and inspiration that
seemed to live in that country. You
all know when st. Patrick came to
Ireland. When he landed on that soil,
there were living In that country
Pagans, q Barbaric people II you will,
and my dear friends, when he came
to that Isle and brought his message
of truth, a new ethics, and a new
culture, he was not met with weapons
or tortured, but was delivered over
to the King of Ireland. And when 1t
was announced that Patrick was COM
ing with a new knowledge, a new
ethics. he said to the Druid Priests,
let him come, bring him and face to
face with him we will use the method
of persuasion, and not of torture. Pat
rick was received into their courts,
and met the leaders of the Druids, met
learned Chieftans, and refined, and
they discussed the merits and talked
of the new law and new religion that
Patrick impaired to them. This news
was brought to the King, the ruler
Of Ireland in those far off days. Did
he say, cruelty him? Let him be
put from our midst because he had
brought new ethics; because he had
brought. new religion? No. Eng
land knows five know it, and must
admit it, Ireland was cultured and re-
fined in those days: The king cul-
tured that he was sent word to his
subjects, "You are free to follow the
light as you see it. You are free to
discuss the question, and If you con-
slider it the right code of law-Oh!
then you are free to follow this new
law, If you will" Oh! Would to God
that other kings that they followed
the example that was set away back
in those early centuries.
They were a cultured people, peo-
pie who were ready to meet other
people on the same level, and with
their authority they were willing to
grant this, and suggested that very
idea that is even contained in the con-
stitution of our American Republic.
| pie. They are noted for their gen.
erosity. They have never been selfish.
Away back we find the Irish mis-
sionaries in far of Switzerland. They
built their nests in the Swiss noun
tains, and crossed over to the Car
pathian Alps erecting monasteries.
They passed over the North Sea noted
for its roughness, and all this they
dared because of their generosity, and
ambition to spread new light, and
bring culture in a new form to these
lands. They were not afraid of the
German forests, which was to them
impenetrable.
Our American boys we're prepared
: to drive through forest and through
every glen to Germany. Do you
know, and you should know a little
OF that history Of Ireland in those far
of days. The Irish missionaries
braved these forests and glens with
out ammunition, without areoplanes,
without scientific methods Of today,
!. through love and generosity, through
their love for fe1lowman, to carry the
I, light of freedom and intelligence to
fcll0wman.
This is the way to understand our
history, and then as years went on
the historian looked back and looked,
and looked, and finally he got his eye
on the little Isle away from the West.
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