Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1921-03-17
Matter For Congratulation That Ire
lands National Day is Cele-
bratcd Everywhere.
characteristics and. Qualities That
Made Work of st. Patrick
So Easy.
Religious Virtues StrilNingly Illus
trasfed in the Lives of the
Irish People.
DIGNITY OF THE IRISH RACE.

1t is a matter for congratulation
that the national day of Ireland is
st. Patrick's day. The fact that il
Is the day celebrated by the Irish all
over the world as the chief occa-
sion on which to glory in the
achievements of the race lis always
significant The celebration of St.
Patrick's day indicates that there Is
MO achievement of the race that so
appeals to its Hottest patriotism as
the religious achievements of it's
pons and daughters. 1t glorieS in
those characteristics and qualities
Of the race that made the work OF
conversion by st. Patrick so easy.
1t may we'll glory in the possession
of racial characteristics which have
continued to distinguish the race
Through the centuries, and are still
found wherever THE Irish are known
and understood
1t has been said that the Irish be-
bong to the lost TRIBES of Israel.
We doubt If there is any tangible
historical data TO Justify belief in
this, but we are confident that both
the Jewish and the Irish races have
had great religious missions under
the guidance of Providence. In the
United States and Canada, in South
Africa and Aupstralia, in East India
and in New Zealand and in many
either places the Irish have carried
the pure gospel of Catholic faith
and Loyalty defended it under all
conditions of life. No greater serv-
ice could have been done TO hui
manity than has been done under
Providence by the scattering of this
great and noble race into so many
lands.
We are not unmindful of the
Faults that have characterized St.
Patrick's sons and daughters. Every
nation has its virtues and every
nation has it's faults. There are no
virtues so great as the religious
virtues which have been so striking
" illustrated in the lives of the
Irish people. Faith, and hope, and
charity are the most sublime virtues
with which a human soul can be
prnamented. Faults may obscure
these virtues, and vices may ex-
tinguAh them, but so long as they
shine in any people with the splen-
dor with which they have illuminat-
ed the career of the Irish race we
may rightly maintain that such a
people are chosen people of God.
The splendid qualities of the race
make us impatient with the faults
that obscure, and the vices that
threaten the priceless heritage
brought to the race by the great
Apostle of Ireland. We are ashamed
Of the individuals who are disloyal
to the best traditions of so splendid
race. We are ashamed OF the
individuals that make "a race which
used to stand for the highest .cul-
ture, the most inviolable honor and
the noblest principles become synon-
ymous in amy place or at any time
with base vulgarity, gross corrup-
tion or want OF all principle. we
are ashamed of the individuals who
have proved unworthy of the inner
hance that makes every man OF
Irish blood proud of his race and
happy to declare his pride in 1t or
st. Patrick's day.
1t Is a matter of congratulatior
for us all that the indestrictible dig
nifty of the Irish race asserts ftsel
In spite of all the overwhelming
prosecutions and crushing humilia
tions that have been piled upon it In
the hope of breaking its noble
Spirit. Individuals may disgract
their nationality, but the race still
glories in the deep religious char
acter OF it's sons and daughters. l
celebrates with joy the innumerabl'
triumphs of Irishmen in ever.
walk OF life. They have become :
power in every land in which the
have settled. Their triumphs in al
lands have accumulated as mora
power ito help in winning HON
rule for Ireland by BATTLES withou
bloodshed.
The feast of st. Patrick shoul
make the Irish race conscious or tn
value of its religious inheritanc
and its moral traditions. Thos
who are loyal TO both will bring we
greater honor TO the name the
bear. Those who fail in the creates
things will themselves sink dow
into the commonplace, and II nj
merous enough may make Irish elc
quence, Irish poetry, Irish Drawer,
irish leadership. Irish genius an
Irish virtues only memory G
which Irish minstrelsy may sin
until itself becomes lost ar
Though the minstrels be dead an
gone we feel that their art rs nc
yet lost in the assemblies of tn
irish. :
In these commercial days we nee
warm hearts and generous soul
more than ever. The idealist is d.
spised as impracticable and useles
II not harmful. Those who scoff
religion and patriotism and more
heroism are heard in all the marke
places of this practical work
Youths are ashamed of pure low
and holy enthusiasms Those thu
are Irish must glory in what hs
made their race lovable in atl y
sad history and made 1t serviceab'
everywhere in spite OF hard cond
lions In which 1t has often foun