The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-13

scy, Mrs. Nora Mahaney Harris. Sta Gill, president, Rev Francis O'Shea clements of nature and the spies of their prosecutors and with stones for seats, the young Irish pupil learned the cultural tradi- tions of his race.
 Spiritual Values
 Transplanted to & foreign strand. the Irish kept their sense of spiritual values. Communism and anarchy have made no in- roads among the real Irish. They struggle for equality of opportu- nity, and liberty ordered by law. They cooperate with their fellow men to secure good fortune, pros- perity, and happiness, consistent with true human dignity. They val- ue all these as gifts af an all-wise God; they are grateful for them and they will fight justly to pre- serve them. How beautifully have we seen these qualities illustrated right here in our native Conrecti- cut. Our ancestors emigrated to this state, blessed only with stout hearts, willing hands and rugged constitutions. Most of them went to work in the factories and toiled over a muffle or a lathe from sum- rise to sunset. Yet the close of each day found them gathered around the family hearth, im- ploring the blessing of Gods Mother on their children in the family Rosary. Our ancestors had none of our modern luxuries, but joyously did they sacrifice that their children might realize the opportunities denied themselves. And the splendid litany of suc- cesSful Irish names who adorn the clergy, the medical. the legal and the teaching professions in this state is glowing tribute to those unself1sh parents who realized that their children were a God given responsibility to be trained for his glory; who lived in the hope that the Irish ideals of free dom, of culture, of tolerance, of loyalty would be realized in their children. Shall we disappoint them?
 The third. gift of the Irish to brighten mans life is more con- plex, more subtle. It is difficult to express in one phrase, yet I like to think we capture it, when we describe it as Irish imagina- tion. This is that softening di- vineness of Irish wit: the tender ness of Irish sympathy; the laughter of Irish eyes, the spirit of good fellowship, the uncon- querable optimism, the sunny philosophy of the true Irishman which could make the gifted Plus XI of revered memory declare, The Irish are like the presence of God, they ought to be every where" Despite her persecution, her poverty, no nation ever culti- vated poetry and remunerated it as did Ireland. If any nation ever underwent an educational mar tyrdom 1t was Ireland. Yet calm in her trials, and seeing the shadow of Gods hand even in her cruciflxion, she gave to world lit- erature the most melodious songs in English. Hacked by the sword, by famine, by pestilence the Irish heart still sang, and forgot its sorrows in its simple folk dances. Poor himself-the true IriShman is ever mindful of those less for tunate. But he scoffs at philan- thropy as heartless and material istic. He understands the philo- sophy of Christian suffering; he knows from experience the mean ing of Christian charity. AS a man he is the equal of any man; has right to a living wage and in- dependence, and he will never cease fighting until he secures them. But let sickness or misfor- tune overtake him, he sees in charity, the gifts of an all kind God. They are meant for tempo, rary relief until the cross is lifted, and the true Irishman is ever grateful for them. In this hour of our national economic crisis this gift of Irish imagination is sorely needed particularly by our youth. We need Irish courage; we need Irish sympathy; we need Irish charity; we need the saving sense of Irish humor to fight our way. through the morass. There Is no room for self1sl propaganda; no room for suspicion of brother against brother: no room for the clash of mass against class; no room for loosing the hellish hounds of hate in this time of stress. We must all work shoulder to shoulder to save this great democracy-it is the individual responsibility of each ore of us as a citizen-and we Irish-Amer- jeans with the natural gift of Irish imagination might easily prove the leaven which will pre- serve our social structure.
 Discomfort
 It is a topsy tprvy world we are living in today. Discomfort stalks through the land. The fortunes of individuals are not the only wor- ries. Every human institution social, financial. governmental-is on trial. Even moral virtures are snickered at, as mediaeval, and tlie Messiahs of Modern Utopia would annihilate everything that Christianity holds sacred. Yet