The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-08-14
Passing of Dali
President Blow
to Irish in u. S.
Advocates Of Republican and
Free State Factions Express
Sorrow at Death Of
Arthur Griffith.

New York, Aug. i5-News Of the
death in Dublin Of Arthur Griffith,
one oi the founders Of Sim fein,
and president Of the Dali Eireann,
wss received with dismay By Irish-
men in New York The belief was
expressed By many that his passing
had taken from Ireland one of its
greatest fighters Tor freedom, and
from the free stale government one
ot is most courageous leaders.
Advocates of both the republican
and free state movements joined ~
expressing sorrow at Gfiffiths de-
mise. They declared that his teach.
ifgs and hts works had inspired all
Irish leaders and that they would
carry on for him.
Men who were intimate with Crit
fifth before the birth df the Sim Vein
recalled some of the interesting
chapters Gi bis lie.
For many years he edited \ news
paper. Often II was suppressed by
the British government, but undis-
mayed, Griffith continued is publi-
cation, changing its name after each
suppression He continued this for
IS years and his paper had many
names.
"The Slave Mind"
One oi bis utterances. printed in
May, 1918, IN pamphlet bearing
the title The Slave Mind" was;
The slave mind has been the banc
,i ireland. for il ia the very root OF
the lack Of seli-rclianrc which has
reduced the statcliest race in Europe
the Gaels-to what they are today
Il has destroyed our moral courage.
We are Irishmen. Our duty 10 our
country demands us 10 regain Ire
Iand's national and political liber-
les, and until England has restored
hem, England remains Ireland's en-
my"
Griffith would have been executed
With Sir Roger Easement, il Is said,
rad it not been for the fact that he |
vas considered "a mental Sim
'einer" and did not publicly adyo-
ate physical force. He believed |
u the printing press rather than
he machine gun.
Griffith was taken into custody |
iter the arrest Of Easement and the
'hysical force advocates, who had
part in the SackyiIle street affair
lie was tried, but the military court
declared it not proven that he had
ny actual part in the rebellion, and
rdered his deportation to England
Or one year.
Never Lost His Temper.
Griffith was known as man who
ever lost his temper.
An anecdote illustrative of this
AIT was related recently by James
tephens. Irish novelist and poet.
One evening, so the story goes,
tephens and Griffith had dined in
ne little restaurant in Dublin. in
hose coffee room the Sim Fein
as born. Afterwards, with several
their friends they strolled leisure
: up Grafton street and Griffith be-
an talking Of his experience as a
outh in the South African gold
lining country.
Il certainly was fool,' lie was
Iying, for every man in the min
g camp seemed to have the knack
making fortune except myself.
ne man" |
At this point two rowdics darted ,
ON the shadows, One OF them de-
oeratcly bumped into Griffith, |
rocking off his hat. Griffith never
id a word. He picked up his hat .
I'd put it on again. The rowdy /
locked il off the second time and /,
tered an insult. Still Griffith held
S tongue. He removed his eye glas- !
$, tucked them in a pocket and ;
en- as the rowdy came back the
ird time, struck him squarely on I
c chin, sending him sprawling in J
c gutter.
Griffith then placed his glasses on
5 nose, and as IL there had heen n
interruption 10 his story, added: \
up ten thousand pounds Il
a single week" >