"IRISH MARTYRS"

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6494, 14 April 1908, Page 5

"IRISH MARTYRS"

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir, —I have seen in this day's issue of tho "Times” a letter written over the signature of "A Loyal Irishman," and written in somewhat the same strain as that of "Logic," which appeared in Saturday's issue (and to which I have replied in to-day's issue). Now it is a pity that when tho "Loyal Irishman” left Ireland (if he had ever been there), he did not leave his "loyalty" behind him, when coming to a now country like Now Zealand, for anyone reading between the lines can see that it is a euphemism—for prejudice or bigotry. There is one thing which "A Loyal Irishman," as well as ‘‘Logic," seems badly in need of, and that is a dictionary, for the "Loyal Irishman” appears to be as ignorant of tho full meaning of the word martyr as "Logic” does of murder. Nobody will deny that Sergeant Brett was killed in the attack on. the prison-van, but ho was killed accidentally, as ho was killed by the shot which was fired to shatter the lock of tho van. "A Loyal Irishman" may describe that gallant band of Irishmen who attacked the prison-van and set their imprisoned fellow-countrymen froe. as "a mob of Fenians," but that deed is one of the bravest recorded in the pages of history; and when Allen, Larkin and O'Brien were hanged at Manchester they sacrificed their lives for a principle, and to sustain a noble cause, and they died martyrs for Ireland. Tho relevancy of the latter part of "A Loyal Irishman's" letter I cannot see. What connection have clergy and sisterhoods, etc., in England with the martyrdom of Allen, Larkin and O'Brien? Tho clergy and sisterhoods have done more 'for England than England has done for them.—l am etc., GAEL. April 13th.