The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-14
MEMORY OF MEN
 WHO DIED FOR ERIN
Observed at Meeting of the Clan-N Gail and
 l. K. A.
THE FIGHT STILL ON

Tho members of the CIan-Na- Gael and I. II. A. club met last Fri- day evening to commemorate the memory of the Manchester Martyrs,' and the -Four Martyrs. Songs and Irish step- dancing were the features of the evening, and those present had Q very enjoyable time.
 Addressing those present one of two events that we meet tonight to annals of the Irish nation, for they clearly show the determination with which Irishmen of all ages and creeds faced the enemy to se- cure freedom for their enslaved country. But 1t fs sad to think, that to-day. Irish organizations that in the past claimed to have the in- terest of the Irish people at heart, have, for some reasons well known to themselves and to others. too. completely lost contact with the aspirations of the Irish people, but those organizations have. and will pay the price for being callous to tho p1eadings of their suffering motkcrland, and they can demand nothing but contempt from all true Irish men and women.
 "The Clan-Na-G Gael and I. R. A. have remained true to the principles of our forefathers, principles which the Trenians in 1867 clearly ex- pounded, and their successor, the Irish Republican Army" with it's political supporters in Ireland to- day expound. Principles for which Allen, Larlin and O'Brien faced death on tho scaffold in the city of Manchester 23d day of October, 1867, and for which Rory O'Connor, Liam Mellows, Joe McKelvey and Dick Barrett faced firing squad in the city of Dublin 10 years la- ter, but alas, a firing squad com- posed of, and controlled by Irish rencgates. who were the tools of the British government. Renegates that murdered 77 Irish soldiers to hold the land of their birth safe for the British empire, and who are to-day opposing tho just de- mands of tho Irish nation.
 But there is one thing England can not take from the Irish people, even with the support of Cosgrave or Mulcahy, that is the graves of their martyrcd dead. They remain to inspire the youth of every gen. eration to continue the fight for which their occupants gave their lives.
 "Yes, tho Manchester martyrs of 1876 showed England how 1rish- men can die, and the four martyrs of 1922 faithfully followed in their footsteps, and their memory is to- day sacred thing to Irish men and women the world over. But It Is not enough to do Justice to their memory. we must all so uphold the course for which they gave their lives in the prime of manhood. That cause was not q Free State" drafted by England and forced on the Irish people under threat of on immediate and terrible war, no, the cause they died for was something nobler, 1t was to break the connec- ton with England, and establish q republic for nll Ireland and 1t ts the duty of you, my friends, to support those that are carrying on the fight for that republic.
 'The l. R. A. is today the logical successor of the Fenians movement \ of 1867, and like them believe that freedom can only be won by force, and whom necessary to achieve its objective. But 1t will not at any time obstruct any Irish leader fight, ing for freedom, and who believes 1t can bc obtained by constitutional methods, but if England uses force to combat such q leader, 1t Is tho duty of the I. R. A. to defend the rights of the people by all means 1t its command and to do that suc- cossfully, 1t must be at all times in readiness. My friends, forget not the fact that Ireland, the land of your birth. or the home of your ancestors is still fighting for It's freedom, and what is an economic war to-day may be changed to . different kind of war tomorrow by England. Show England that tho Irish race the world over is true to their enslaved country in its fight for freedom. Support the Clan Ma Gael that has in tho past. and wilkcontinuc. to support every movement in Ireland, having for its objective the establishment of tho republic as the lawful government of ull frcland."