But if it hadn't
been for the methods of twenty years ago we wouldn't be doin' things
so peaceably now. It was the attitude of Irishmen in Ireland that
made them legislate for us. It wasn't the Irish members in
Westminster that did it."
"That's thrue for ye."
"It was the pluck--and determination--and statesmanship--and
unflinchin' not-to-be-quieted-or-deterred attitude of them days
that's brought the goal we've all been aimin' at in sight. An' it's
a happier an' more contented an' healthier an' cleaner Ireland we're
seein' to-day than the wun we had to face as childhren."
"Thrue for ye agen. I see ye've not lost the gift o' the gab. Ye've
got it with ye still, Frank O'Connell."
"Faith an' while I'm talkin' of the one thing in the wurrld that's
near our hearts--the future of Ireland--I want to prophesy--"
"Prophesy is it?"
"That's what I want to do."
"An' what's it ye'd be after prophesying?"
"This: that ten years from now, with her own Government, with her
own language back again--Gaelic--an' what language in the wurrld
yields greater music than the old Gaelic?--with Ireland united and
Ireland's land in the care of IRISHMEN: with Ireland's people self-
respectin' an' sober an' healthy an' educated: with Irishmen
employed on Irish industries, exportin' them all over the wurrld:
with Ireland's heart beatin' with hope an' faith in the future--do
ye know what will happen?"
"Go on, Frank O'Connell.
Pages:
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327