The Irish standard., 1919-05-10


first sea fight against the British.
Likewise much stress is laid upon
the aid received in 1776 from France
and nothing at all about the Irish,
although the Irish furnished in the
ratio of one hundred to- one of any
foreign nation whatever, according to
the adopted son Of George Washing
ton, and even the French troops were
nearly all Irish soldiers, who were in
France and commanded by Irishmen.
The address last night by Father
E. P. Graham, was a mastery argu-
ment and clear presentation of Ire
lands rights, an unanswerable appeal
to the intellect and indisputable state
ment of figures, proving England's
tyranny in Ireland.
Charles M. Wyman, who was the
originator of the meeting, aided by
contributions from a number of citi-
zens, saids ut makes no difference
how much fruit is the outcome of this
meeting, nor does it matter how few
or many heard us, made the protest
against tyranny and oppression as my
Americanism and my conscience die
tated. Just as fervently will speak
for Korea, India, Philippine Islands,
or the negroes of Africa. 1 advocate
liberty on her own principles, not an
exclusive, but an absolute liberty"
The address of Mr.. Wyman was as
follows:
know of no words more appropri-
ate, my friends, to speak upon this
occasion than the words of George
Parke Curtis, adopted son of George
Washington, spoken likewise at a
meeting in behalf of Irish freedom:
II come as an American, 1 feel as
an American, speak as an Ameri-
can"
For my friends, it is not hyphenated
citizens you hear tonight, but red
blooded Americans, true to the ira
dftions, the ideals and aspirations Of
our beloved country, and speaking out
as gratitude, honor and right bid us
speak.
But, I have been asked: "Is this
the time to speak?" The flowers have
a time to bloom; the leaves, time
to fall; but Liberty, every season and
every hour and every moment of our
breath, it thine! The twenty-first of
June is the day, l believe, to plant
cucumber seed, but all the time is the
season of Liberty. And, if there
should be single carping critic to-
night who questions the propriety Of
this interference with the actions Of
a foreign government, l answer his
thoughts, with the words of Webster:
"This is government of the peo-
pie and any people who are striving
by every effort and every sacrifice to
enlarge their liberties, shall always
command the earnest and enthusiastic
sympathy of the United States"
And moderation has been suggested
to the Irish. Moderation, in this in
stance, my friends, can only mean con-
tentment with inferiority. Nations
and individuals fix their own stand
ard of worth, in proportion to the
spirit they put forth for themselves,
and in the contemplation with which
they survey themselves. Conceive
yourself slave, and cringe. Con-
slider yourself nation and indepen-
dence is your God-given birthright.
The spirit of the Celt is to be free
man. Will you deny him this right?
Then you must revise your own dec.
laration of independence just as
Anglo-maniacs desire the history of
your country revised. The declaration
of independence, the Constitution OF
the United States, the history of
our country, the IA points of Wilson
and even the Star Spangled Banner
do not need revision for the Irish.
about the ingratitude of Ireland.
name the argument, even as Gratan
said, to despise it and those who make
use of it. There are certain things
which can not be meted out even in
gratitude-am mans conscience, a WON
ans honor, nations, Liberty
Though Ireland were the most favored
of England's dominions, instead of the
most mis-governed land in the history
of the world. know of no species
of gratitude which should prevent Ire
land from being free.
No gratitude which should oblige
Ireland to be the slave of England
But why mention gratitude but to sa!
it with scorn. You can not mention
single instance of English generos
ity to Ireland. Not even under tn,
reign Of Queen Victoria, when th'
Irish were starving. Oh, but 1relant
did nothing during the world war