The New York herald., 1920-01-18
Judges and Other Noted Men
Witness Ceremony in Al
dermanic Chamber.


presented TO Eamonn De Valera. presi-
dent Of the Sim Fein Irish republic. the
parchment scroll. which conferred upon
him the freedom of the city. II was an
Irish occasion. The Sixty-ninth Infantry
Band played Irish airs. and among the
crowd there was noticeable sprinkilns
of Irish flags along with the American
cclors There was a wild demonstration
when Mr.. De Valera entered the chamber
escorted by w. Bourke Cochran, Justice
Daniel +. Cohaian and Frank l.. Naish'
1T is a privileged honor, personal as
well as Official, TO greet most cordially
in the person of Eamonn De Valera the
president of the Irish republic. Mayor
Hylan said addressing Mr.. De Valera. 4
..I do so officially, as chief executive OF
the city of New York, in concord ana III
conformity with the resolution OF the
Board OF Aldermen calling on me as
Mayor TO convey to him the welcome, in
addition to the freedom, of the metropolis
( OF the Western 'World-the city Oh Ne"
York.
"Question Must lie Answered"
1.-The performance of this official duty
also gives me personal satisfaction as an
American citizen, who feels that self
determination in principle and practice
should not be denied to the people OF Ire
land. The question that must be answered
sooner or later is why Ireland alone
among the smaller nations should be eA-
cluded from a just and legitimate share
In the triumph of the late war.
..Your own enthusiastic and most sincere
reception throughout our glorious country
and. may I say. your dignified Campaign
of education, coupled with mastery
presentation of safe and sane govern
mental policy. have not failed 10 impress
tho American people with the justice OF
Ireland's cause and with the ultimate
realization Of her national liberty and is
pirations.
TN the great war our nation as whole
demonstrated to the world that we were
governed BY the high ideals OF iioeray and
independence for the oppressed OF every
race in every land May we not hope that
Americas aitruism has made manifest to
all peoules our unselfish desire that lib
erty, justice, self-soverDnent and self
determination will prevail throughout the
world?
Praises Irish Regiment.
..This city is particularly proud OF tn.
record of its sons in the war but 10 you,
sir. we take a special pride in mentioning
the Irish regiment. dear to the hearts of
us all-the glorious Sixty-nintn. This reg
iment was in the thick Of the fighting on
the Lorraine front. in the Champagne, at
Chateau Therry. st. Mihel and the River
Ourcq. Hundreds of it's gallant members
freely offered their lives on the altar OF
patriotism, Loyalty defending the flag of
the government under which they lived.
The intrcpidity and dauntless valor or
these heroes proved them to be worthy
sons OF the indomita ble~ race which fur
nished the majority OF this regiment and
filled the ranks of others renowned fol-
splendid service. We know that these
brave soldiers who fought the battles oil
Great Britain France, Italy, America and
all the Allies were sustained by the con-
viction that when peace came il would be
permanent peace. because founded on
justice.
II note that more than seventy constitu-
encies In Ireland voted at recent cleo
tion for an Independent Irish republic and
in your person these people recognize their
duly elected leader. Whether or not the
world at large subscribed to these ex-
pressions for separate national exist
ence and leadership. the truth of the fol-
lowing may not be denied
"a portion of mankind may be said to
constitute a nationality If they are united
among themselves by common sylnpathies
which do not exist between them and
others which make them cooperate more
willingly with each other than with other
people and which make them desire 10
be under the same government and seek
10 he governed by themselves exclusively.
This Is merely saying that the question Of
government ought TO be decided by the
governed.
Presents Freedom of City.
"As Mayor ] present to you. Sir, the
freedom of city pre-eminent among the
muncipa''tes 90 the world--the peerless
city OF New York."
The resolution which the Mayor re-
fcrrcd in his speech Was introduced las.
June by Thomas NJ. Farley. Alderman.
and passed 1t called upon tho Mayor 90
express the sentiments OF tho Board 20
Ie Valera and to bid Il formal welcome
TO the gentleman who stands as repre-
sentative OF the youngest republic in tho
world" De Valera was introduced yes
tcrday by ". BourEe Cochran. who said
that he was presenting the representative
OF the embodiment Of great national up
rising for vindication of the fundamental
realities which, constitute the principles
of Christian civilization.
Responding to Mayor Hylan's address
Mr.. De Valera said
ITO be received by the chief magistrate
OF New York city is always a high honor
TO be received in the courteous. cordial
manner in which You have received me
makes the honor dohbly priced.
IT do not know anything that one could
suggest which could add TO the signfi-
canoe O. the two occasions on which you
have received me
Feels sinEuiariy Privileged.
''I have been singularly privileged in the
manner OF my reception, privileged in those
who have presented me- privileged In those
who escorted me here. but Il is not strange
after all. for the gallant son OF your
famed Sixty-ninth said when he presented
me TO you on the last occasions. your
country has never hesitated to express it's
eyrnpathies with the efforts OF downtrod-
den peoples in their own home lands 10
secure those blessings OF liberty which
you yourselves enjoy.
"That expression OF sympathy which
your action and that OF the Board OF Al
dermen so clearly conveys will be ap-
precated by the Irish people for whom
IT is intended. and by the rest OF the world
on whom its significance will not be lost.
On he af,