AN GAOḊAL.
103
made to save
The language of our fathers, lisp the language of
the slave
Sons of Erin ! vain your efforts — vain your pray-
ers for freedom's crown
Whilst you crave it in the language of the foe that
clove it down.
Know you not that tyrants ever, with an art from
darkness sprung,
Strive to make the conquered nation slaves alike
in limb and tongue.
The Russian Bear ne’er stood secure o'er Poland's
shattered frame,
Until he trampled from her breast the tongue
that bore her name.
Oh! be Irish, Irishmen, and rally for the dear old
Tongue
Which as ivy to a ruin, to the dear old land has
clung;
Oh, snatch this relic from the wreck, the only
and the last,
To show what Erin ought to be by pointing to
the Past !
WHAT THEY ARE DOING AT HOME.
From the Belfast Morning News.
CLAN NA GAEL. — At a meeting of the committee
of this society, held on the 12 inst. at their rooms,
24 Fountain Street, Belfast, at which were present
Henry Magee, Esq. (in the chair) ; Rev. Alexander
Gordon, M. A.; Edmund Burke Roche, Esq ;
Marcus J. Ward, Esq. ; James Henry, Esq. ; and
Sharman MacD. Neill, Esq ; it was resolved — “That
we consider it most desirable that a congress, under
the auspices of the Society for the Preservation of
the Irish Language, be held in Dublin during the
latter part of next August, to which delegates from
all parts of Ireland, and representatives from Cel-
tic societies of the Highlands and the Principality
of Wales be invited, with the following object,
viz.: — To take into consideration the present po-
sition of the Irish Language as a vernacular,
and how its use and study may best be promot-
ed.” The secretary was instructed to forward
a copy of the resolution to the Society for the
Preservation of the Irish Language. — A large and
important meeting of the council of the Society for
the Preservation of the Irish Lauguage was held on
Tuesday last, at No 9 Kildare Street, Dublin, at
5 p. m On the motion of W. M. Hennessy, Esq. ;
M. R. I. A, seconded by Dr. J. H. Lloyd M. R. I
A, the Rev, John O'Hanlon P. P. Sandymount,
was called to the chair. Among the members pre¬
sent were Rev. M H. Close, M. A.; Rev. L. O'
Byrne, C. C.; Rev. James Goodman, M. A., T. C
D.; Professor O'Looney, M. R. I. A.; Dr, Ryding
Daniel Lynch, Esq; Philipstown, Dunleer ; Ml
Cox, George Noble Plunkett Esq ; R. J. Duffy,
Esq. ; Patrick Barry, Esq ; Professor Mir Aulid
Ali, T. C. D, and J. J. M' Sweeney, secretary.
The minutes having been signed, communications
were read from the following: — Arthur H Curtis.
Esq., and T. J. Bellingham, Esq.. Assistant Com-
missioners of Intermediate Education ; Thos. Sex-
ton, Esq. M. P. ; Rev. Canon M'Ilwaine, D. D.,
Belfast ; Edmund Leamy, Esq., M. P., House of
Commons ; F. M. Feely, Esq; Rathmines : Marcus
J. ward. Esq., Belfast. Mons. H. D'Arbois ne Ju-
bainville, Paris. A communication was read from
The O'Connor Don, D. L, expressing his regret at
the changes recently made in the Irish programme
of the Intermediate Educational Board, and prom-
ising to do his best to have the alteration rescinded
at the next meeting. A report was read from Mr.
John Bowler, Dunkitt, N. S., in which he states
that he had 20 boys prepared for the recent results
examination. On the motion of Mr. R. J. Duffy,
seconded by Dr. Cox, the resolution above given
was unanimously endorsed. A committee was ap-
pointed to consider and report on the matter to the
council at their meeting on Tuesday next.
In connection with the above we have received
a communication from the Dublin Society saying
that the Congress will be held on August 15, and
soliciting the cooperation of societies and individ-
uals this side the Atlantic. The following, among
other sentiments, have been received by the Coun-
cil of the Society in regard to the Congress.
Thomas Sexton Esq. M. P. — I hope to see the
useful and interesting project of a Celtic Congress
efficiently carried out, and if the Congress be held
as proposed in Dublin in August next, I expect to
have the pleasure of being present.
Lieut. Gen. Smythe, Vice President of the
Society — The idea of the Congress is excellent the
only doubt regarding it which occurs to me is the
date; that is whether sufficient time is allowed
for preparation but of this the Council is the
best judge.
Very Rev. Cannon Mac llwane, D. D. Belfast —
The Congress you intend to hold is very import-
ant and I shall with pleasure give any aid in my
power towards the object intended.
Rev S. Mac Ternan, P. P. Manorhamilton — I
am delighted the Society for the Preservation of
the Irish Language is preparing to hold a Con-
gress in Dublin next August to promote the use
and study of the Irish Language. The month of
August is a capital time andI hope your Council
will have the great pleasure of seeing Delegates
from all parts of Ireland coming to the Congress.
Wishing success to this grand and truly National
Movement, I am &c.
Edmund Leamy Esq. M. P. — The proposed
Congress has my warmest approval.
Could we not have a preparatory Cengress in
New York the latter part of the month? The
Congress calls for the active support of every
Irishman and Woman.
