The Irish standard., 1920-04-10
THE IRISH STANDARD
Ireland's Case Presented
by Hon. P. II. Rahi1ly.

Mary's Circle in Lake City. Mimi,
Thursday evening, March 1S. Hon.
p. H. Rahilly delivered most timely
and interesting address. He said in
part:
The feast of st. Patrick this year
will bring brighter hopes and happier
prospects for the children of Ireland
than for many year. The untitled
longing of centuries cherished by the
sons and daughters of Saint Patrick
are nearer fulfillment than ever before.
The fight for independence is approach.
ing victory. The right of Ireland to
take her place among the nations of
the world, and to work out her national
salvation, industrially commercially
and spiritually is universally recog-
nized.
The God-given prerogative of ma
tion to exist untrammeled by alien rule
and unfettered by foreign domination
is now admitted by lovers of liberty
the world over. The Irish question
has been appealed from British JUS
tice" to the unbiased court Of public
opinion. She awaits today favor
able verdict from the conscience of
mankind already committed to the self
determination of small nations.
To show the deadly incubus of Brit
ish power in Ireland it is only neces-
sary to say that about fifty years ago
the population of that country was
over 100000, while today the num-
Der is 100000. Artificial famines,
forced emigrations and destruction
of home industries, supplemented by
the misrule Of landlordism, are the
potent factors in this decimation. To
endeavor to stem the tide of emigrar
tion and to obtain at least a semblance
of self government, the great home
rule agitation was inaugurated, which
but foT the misfortunes of the brilliant
Parnell would today have attained its
object. The British government con-
cedes nothing to Ireland, but that
which fear inspires. This had been
Ireland's experience for centuries Of
British rule, and to sever the un-
natural connection Ireland in all ages
has offered her sons as holocaust on
the altar Of patriotism.
There is NO doubt of the Irishman's
valor, for on every battlefield in Eu-
rope from "Dunkirk to Belgrade" the
chivalry of his race has found express
sion in the solid phalanx and the head
long charge. I'm this country we, can
not forget the five desperate and
dauntless charges Of Meagher's Irish
brigade at Fredericksburg, nor the i'm
movable stand Of Corcoran's legion' at
Bull Run. In every just cause. the
rrishman is a, prime factor, but ins his
country he is: denied the use of arms
and, is still subject to the control Of
the British standing army, together
with a constabnlary force, numbering
10000 men: These, with an army Of
from: 10000 to- 10000 soldiers, are
maintained at, the expense of the Irish
nation. A committee of parliament
recently reported that Ireland is- pay.
ing, $12,000,000 per annuin over her
proportion to- sustain British financial
policies, and yet there is no relisf. Is
it to, be- wondered at that Ireland is-
in a. chronic. state Of rebellion, and that
her children are forced to seeks the
hospitable. shores of America, to, OBJ
tain that redress of political and eco
nomic grievances denied in their own
country?
The spirit which keeps, alive the.
fervid love Of Ireland never dies. IT.
is the same today as when Hugh,
O'Neil in the sixteenth century bid de-.
fiance to Saxon rule, and ever since
through succeeding generations the
Irish people. though restrained, have
never been subdued. From O'Neill to
Sarsfleld and Emmett Grattan, Curran
and O'Connell, the same spirit Of i'm
placable defiance and determination
animates the Irish race. This spirit is
exemplified in later generations in the
person Of the stately William Smith
O'Brien, a lineal descendant of Brian
Boru, king of Ireland. the incisive John
Mitchell, and the brilliant Thomas
Francis Meagher. a trio Of patriots
who, in 1848, suffered Punishment fol
that undying love for Ireland which II
the Inheritance Of every son Of TN
sacred isle. In the mention Of one o.
these names, "Meagher Of the Sword
we are reminded Of the Irishmen'l
fidelity to American institutions. w
recall the heroic charges Of Meagher'
brigade at Fredericksburg when flvl
successive assaults were ordered an,
made with the green nag Of Irelan'
always in the van. Somebody "blun
dered" in those orders, for the impree
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