The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-09
IRISH CAUSE
!, DISCUSSED AT
EVENING MEET
Membership Meeting to Be Held in
Two Weeks at City Hall-Miss
0DOnnelI Sings Irish Songs.
Especial to The Argus.)

Aledo, Aug. 81 am gong ID
speak to you, not on the Irish ques-
tion, for there is no Irish question
Ireland settled the question of
what she wanted years ago-but
on Americas connection with the
Irish cause. The cause which is so
similar to that for which American
forefathers suffered and died."
stated Joseph F. Donnelley Of
z Northwestern university, who adj
dressed an open meeting of the
Roosevelt council of the Ameri-
can association for the recognition
of the Irish republic, held at North
park in Alelo last night. Preceding
Professor DonneHey's lecture, Mics
O'Donnell of Davenport, who is Wis
itfng in Aledo, sang charming
Irish song. Despite the fact that
there was no instrument to provide
accompaniment for her, Miss
O'Donnell sang beautifully and
thoroughly pleased her audience.
In discussing the Irish cause, Mr..
Donnelley first emphasized the fact
that it is not a religious cause as
the English would have the world
believe. He proved this fact by
naming a number of the leaders in
the cause which are Protestants
and told of numerous instances
where England had imprisoned {
Protestants as well as Catholics be-
cause they thought they were IN
sympathy with the Irish.
Despite the fact that England |
used every method to terrorize the |
people of Ireland, at an election
held in 1918 there were so per cent
OF the people voted for an Irish re-
public. And this after the leaders
of the cause had been imprisoned
in an effort to break the spirit of
the Irish. Again in 1919 a similar
election was held and 80 per cert
Of the population voted for a repub-
lie. Professor Donnelley explain
ed the meaning of the Sim Fem
movement and stated that the
words themselves explained the
, cause, for they mean ourselves
and ourselves alone" He compar-
ed this to Americas motto of
America, first, last and always"
In reference to the Ulster ques-
ton he stated that this was being
efficiently answered by the Irish
people themselves.
1.-THE new flag of the Irish repub-
lie is tri-color. I like to think
OF it in this way" stated Mr.. Dom
nelley: "The orange stripe is for
the Protestants in the cause, the
green Is for the Catholics and the
white stripe is a symbol of har-
mony and understanding between
the two"
In reference to the question of
whether he thought Ireland would
ever get independence, the speaker
stated that it was only a question
OF time, that Lloyd George in send
Ing Tor the president of the Irish
republic to confer with him in Eng
land practically acknowledged that
the republic would be recognized.
Already one million people have
banded together in the United !
States In an effort to have the Irish |
republic recognized In Illinois
there are 100, 1000 members.
In concluding his talk Professor
Donnelley asked each one in the
audience to ask himself a number
or questions which did not concern
the Irish question but which were
purely American questions from an
american standpoint The ques-
lions were as follows: /. Do YOU
believe in the words of Lincoln.
that no man is great enough to rule :
another man against his will? 2. Il
That in the words of Lincoln, a
government should be for the peo-
pie, by the people and of the peo- II
pie? 3. Is the same spirit preva-
lent in 1921 that was in 1875? f..
Should not American money be
kept at home to pay American SOL
olers who served in the World war
and not sent over to England to l-
maintain her army? 5. If we fail
to recognize the Irish republic will
we not be breaking faith with the
$4,000 American lads who gave up
their lives that all nations, however
small, might have a chance at self
government?
Following Professor Donnelley's
address Father c. ]. Higgins gave
short talk, thanking the speaker
In behalf of the audience for his
address. Miss O'Donnell sang Ire
land Must Be Heaven" and the +
meeting was closed. President n
E Farr presided over the gath
ering. Mr.. Farr announced that a
membership meeting would be held
IN two weeks at the city hall and )
that all citizens, without regard to
religion or nationality, were invited
TO attend the meeting. The mem
No II FENF Co. -