Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-02
Times-Dispatch Readers Write Letters
Concerning Current Topics of Discussion

consistently contribute to the erection
Colonel Roosevelt in Keeping with mon.
uments which have been erected to
other Presidents OF the United States.
t nn, even ven Al inc risk OF certain vlifca.
demaeogues we should think Of the
illustrious dead within our own bor-
graves. when about to contribute to
the fund now being gathered to erect
In honor OF Colonel Roosevelt a me
rival the monument erected to tho
honor OF Washington.
Richmond, Va. October %, 1919
Defends the Irish.
To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir.-in last Sundays issue of your
parer there appeared an article touch
ing on the affairs in Ireland, and signed
by fhilip Brown. The gentleman en-
deavoring to show why Erin is an un-
happy country: very foolishly gave an
historical story OF the First Invasion
OF the Danes in the Year 1850" Now.
II my memory OF historical events
invaded in the eighth century and the
power OF the Danes forever broken by
Brian Boru on the plains OF Clontarf
In the year 1914. 1t seems that Mr..
as we'll as Gerald Griffin. am sorry
that the gentleman did not enlighten
himself on correct dates. we'll as
other matters. before submitting his
article for publication. as the readers
OF the widely read Times Dispatch are
an intelligent class OF people. and
proud old families or Ireland. After
reading the article came to the
conclusion that the gentleman must
know very little about the past his.
tory OF that brave race and less of
the present-day conditions
He refers to the Irish as "a turbul-
ent race OF people" and shall an
be while we have the tragedies of
today to goad us and the bitter mem
cries Of other years. wonder IL
lime pits OF Irclan nd? Has the ansuished
cry of a broken hearted mother ever
reached his ears when she beheld her
son cast into those lime pits. to be
buried alive? Has he seen pale faces
of little children turn away from the
bread offered them brihc TO be-
tray the hiding places OF their fathers7
Does h. know that victims of fever
were dragged from their homes and
left 10 die in the fields because they
were unable to pay tho exorbitant rent
days Of Erin were dark with pain
and suffering. and her today is full
Of woes. for the poison gas tanks OF
an ' unarmed and defenseless as pee people.
There is no redress for their wrongs
except the Offering OF the life blood
OIL IriSh heroes AT the shrine OF liberty.
Here is question I would like to
ask Mr.. Brown: II England has moth
ing to hide In regard to Ireland, why
sorship over the cableErams? And why
does she refuse to allow them to leave
the country? She will not give them
liberty. at home and does not wish them
to seek il elsewhere.
AS far internal strife is con-
cerned. I wish to say that the discord
in ireland during the reign Of her
Kings was nothing compared to the
civil wars Of other countries. England
had her Cavaliers and Roundheads and
her six years War Of the Roses. France
to say, our own beloved America her
four years of bloody strife. IL Mr..
Brown has ever studied history he
should know that every nation at some
time Of it's history has had internal
disputes. This he cannot deny. The
| Irish Kings. as rule. Eei gned wisely
and we'll, and during the reign OF Brian
Boru order so prevailed in the land
that beautiful young woman, adorned
with costly jewels. undertook alone a
journey through the kingdom. Thomas
Moore refers to this in his beautiful
poem, which 1 quote here in part:
Lady, dost thou not fear to stray
SO lone and lovely through this bleak
Are Erin's sons so good or 50 cold
AS not to be tempted by woman or
gold?
''Sir knight, feel not the least alarm;
No son Of Erin will offer me harm.
For though they love women and golden
store,
Sir knight. they love honor and virtue
more.
ION she went, and her maiden smile
In safety lighted her round the green
isle.
And hest forever is she who relied
Upon Erin's honor and Erin's pride.
Could any other nation make such