"IRISHMEN TO THE FORE."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1076, 15 March 1911, Page 4

"IRISHMEN TO THE FORE."

Sir,—ln reference to an article, "Irish to the Fore," published in to-day's Dominion', I, as a member of the Gaelic league and lover of tho Irish language, be" to protest against tho statements of Monsignor Fowler. Ho remarked that "ho would say he saw no reason for. tho revival of the Irish tongue ; that tho KiHish language forced upon them had been the means of making tlicin great; that he could not see why they sl.culd revive, that which "God had permitted to If Consignor Fowler can see no reason for reviving the most ancient language in Europc-a language grammatically complete, containing nil the genders, inflexions, and moods (most of which havo been lost in modern languages), a language .breathing the very soul, of our Caltic ancestors and all that we Irish hold

dear—well, then, Monsignor is indeed "dark," and ought to get spectacles to aid his sight. Let me refer him to an important pronouncement by his Eminence, Cardinal Jloriui, on the eamo subject, and published by the "Catholic Press," of Sydney. When asked his opinion whether Irish should bo made a compulsory subject in tho new National University, ho rculicd: "I am in sympathy with the National Convention, held in Dublin, and the various Irish corporations who have expressed their opinion that the Irish language should be mado a compulsory subject in tho new Irish University." Then again he states: "There is no "more important factor in the cause- of nationality than the promotion of tho national language. In tho struggles of the Bohemian race to maintain its national life, tho matter of language was a most important clement in its success. Fifty years ago it seemed as if tho Czech national !f!e was extinct, but, at present, thero is no nationality in Europe more vigorous. I am confident that, in another twenty years, the same triumph will await the national spirit of Ireland through the cultivation of the Irish language." Now, the idea of the English language forced on us and being the means of making' us "great" is humorous in the extreme, and yet I doubt whether Consignor Fowler meant to bo mirthful. Until the Cromwellian settlement, Irish was the only langauge spoken generally in Ireland by high and low, including tho great Anglo-Irish and Norman nobles. We aro certainly not a greater people now, and we aro far less Irish than we wero even 100 years ago. Wo have had no heroes or great men since tho death of Charles S. Parnell, who was partly English. The Brian Bonis and Owen Eae O'Niels,' etc., are conspicuous by thcir'absenco to-day. Truly the American Irish aro richer than their brothers at home,' but money is not all, and does not make them "great" or moro Irish. How few of the rich American Irish ever return to tho Old Land? They may send some of .their, dollars to help on the cause, but otherwise they aro of as little use to "Grania Waile" as the. absentee landlord. If all'who had left Ireland returned to hor when they had mado money' in foreign lands, and had continued to ho Irish, and national in spirit, and brought up their children to sneak tho old tongue, Green Erin would havo a different tale to tell to-day!

How can anyone dare to say that God has permitted the Irish language to die, when even to-day tho Gaelic is still spoken by over 610,000 people in Ireland, without mentioning' Scotland, Wales, and La Brctagne? In County Galway alone there aro 0000 people who speak absolutely no English. Perhaps Consignor Fowler may have a more intimate- knowledge of tho Sermi.ssions . and . intentions of . tho livinity than his Eminence Cardinal Jforan, and all our great Gaelic Leaguers, but, in spito of him and his want of sight, our Celtic language has lasted through a long series of centuries—back to tho very dawn of authentic history, and far beyond goes our history of Ireland and her tongue. "The language of a people," said a great writer, "is their pedigree." Our language marks us as distinct from other races, and determines .our rank amongst them by its antiquity, purity, and excellence, as a means of expressing thought. Many nations have perished, but their languages and literature remain-to show what manner of people they were. Our Irish nation and language are still alive, thank God; though sickly and panting for breath to rise, and it depends on us Irish all over the world whether we shall ever gain back for poor old "Grania Waile" her national life, and save her greatest treasure—her beautiful tuneful language—to charm the ears and elevate tho minds of her children and children's children. Let us keep and preserve the language spoken by St. Patrick to lead our ancestors to heaven, and by Brian-tho Brave, who led them to freedom.

: No! Monsignor Fowler. God has not permitted'the old languago of the saint, thoiherb'i 1 , warrior, and sage to die; and wo are now nearer than we havo been for m'any years to'see realised the dream that, through long ages of persecution, ■cheered the patriot and martyr—the bright dream of a free Ireland, speaking in her own fair Gaelio language.—l am, .'.' ... JAMES EUSTACE.