The Irish standard., 1919-05-31
THE TWIN CITIES AS A NORTHWEST
CENTER OF IRISH ACTIVITIES.

AS result of the brilliant success of the two great
Minneapolis and St. Paul meetings, May 10 and l8
respectively, at which Rev. Grattan Mythen was va;
the principal speaker, it has been suggested that the
Twin Cities by the cooperation of the leading or
ganizations promoting the of Irish freedom
should become center for the promotion of the
cause in other cities and towns of the Northwest
The campaign for the emancipation of the mother
land has but just begun. The door of opportunity
is at least partially opened by of the present
state of ux in world politics, and the future happi
ness misery of Erin depends in large measure
upon what her children in other lands may be able
to do for her in the present crisis.
Much has been already accomplished in the line
of the advancement of the cause. The series of pub
lie demonstrations that have been held in the large
centers of population throughout the country, SINH
served wonderfully well to arouse American interest
and sympathy with Ireand's aspirations Hostility
has weakened and apathy has given place in meas
urable degree to concern and solicitude The Amer
ican conscience has been stirred to its depths.
The change of the political complexion of Con-
gress is opportune for Irelands There is lit
tie danger that the League of Nations covenant will
be adopted without a prolonged and exhaustive de-
bate in Washington. The political campaign of 1920
is already open, and with it will come many oppor-
as part of the proposed international program In
deed it is quite apparent that the controlling issues
of the coming Presidential election will be interna-
tonal rather than domestic ones, and the question
OF the OF Irish grievances Will come
urally and logically into the Of American poll
tics. A sS
In no part ofthe United States is there better
field Tor the fair and open discussion of this question
than in the West and Northwest. The people Of
these sections being in large degree dependent up
on their individual efforts and merits for their live
hood are a little farther removed from the influence
of the propagandist than elsewhere. With self-re-
ance the basis of their material prosperity they
have also acquired an independence of opinion and
judgment on public matters that is at note
worthy and commendable. In many instances it is
this western trend of popular opinion that has turned
the scale in our national politics.
The tide of American sentiment is now turning
in favor of Ireland and the indications that it
will continue to set in this direction the discus
sion of the League of Nations compact proceeds in
Congress- in the press and in all public forums of
debate. 1t is therefore the opportunity we'll as
the duty of friends of the cause to foster and
strengthen this movement wherever and whenever
it is possible to do so. The Twin Cities are the hub
of the Northwest section and from them as center
should radiate mechanism of influence that should
reach all the other communities of this section in the
interest of the Irish cause.
Many ways and means will suggest themselves
for the accomplishment of this objective if the mat
taken up with the zeal and vigor char
acterzed the great meetings held in the Twin Cities