940
AN GAOḊAL.
be necessary, it would rouse the Irish American
element to a sense of their duty, and send them to
investigate the historical facts connected with their
race in this country. I thought of appealing to
the Irish American press myself to have it advoc¬
ate the necessity and utility of a movement of some
kind in this direction. to enable us to put the facts
of history in a proper light, so that when we app¬
eal to history, we appeal with a knowledge of what
we are doing, and in a way that we can make our¬
selves heard over the whole country.
Now, Sir, I ask your candid opinion, could such
a movement be started and would it be likely such
a movement could be made to effect its purpose?
As editor of a patriotic paper would you be pleas¬
ed to devote a few incisive sentences to so import¬
ant a subject?
Men like me living on the frontiers of civilization
can do next to nothing in starting or working a
historical society. The most we could do would be
to help it financially. I would be glad to do so,
and I am sure there are thousands who would be
glad to do so if they only got the opportunity. Am
I trepassing on your kindness in asking your candid
opinion. Are my ideas practical or not? You may
be as plain and outspoken as you please for I
would rather be put on the right track at the out¬
set than after having gone to a lot of trouble to
have the mortification to be disappointed. If pro¬
per appeals were made in the meantime perhaps it
might be possible to crystallize matters during the
era of the coming World's Fair.
I am yours sincerely,
J. J. Hand.
[Father Hand asks our honest opi¬
nion as to the possibility of forming an
Irish-American historical society. That
we will not offer at present, but we
shall send a marked copy of this GAEL
to the prominent members of the St.
Patrick Society and the Friendly Sons
of St. Patrick, of this city, and to the
Irish-American Club, Chicago, so that
they may see what Father Hand means
and what every self-respecting Irish-
American should endeavor to accom¬
plish. There is sufficient material in
this city alone in the two organiza¬
tions which we have named to found
such an institution. There are Messrs.
McGuire, Rooney, Cassin, Rorke, etc.
of the St. Patrick, and Kelley, Max¬
well, Malone, etc. of the Friendly Sons,
to whom it would be no trouble, finan¬
cially or otherwise, to organize such a
society.
It was our expectation when we or¬
ganized the Gaelic movement that it
would embrace such matter as that
which is the subject of Father Hand's
letter — in fact, that it was a part and
parcel of the movement but, unfortu¬
nately, its support fell short of our ex¬
pectations. — Ed]
MR. MARKOE'S LETTER.
St. Paul, Minn. March 8th. '90.
Editor An Gaodhal, —
As I have not yet heard of any deaths from duels
fought among those who vie with each other in
working upon our Irish Dictionary, I conclude that
if we wait until the labor is performed from patri¬
otic motives alone, we may have to wait a long
time.
There are men whose courage rises as the obsta¬
cles in their way disappear; and those others whose
energy and activity increase in proportion to the
opposition they have to overcome. I hope always
to be classed among the latter. I therefore, now
propose to see what can be done towards getting
our dictionary under way, without looking to any
one for assistance; and relying solely upon your
knowledge of the language, and your editorial
influence, for the practical part, and upon my zeal
for the financial part. Will you, therefore, kind¬
ly give me an estimate of the probable cost of an
edition of one thousand copies each of a Celto-
English and Anglo Celtic Dictionary, and also the
probable cost of further editions of from one to
five thousand copies each, including compilation,
printing and neat bindings in cloth, all done un¬
der your own direction or supervision. Also how
long would it take you, with the assistance of such
competent help as you could hire to get out the
first edition of 1,000.
I am most anxious to get that work under way
without delay. I do not expect the first edition
to be by any means complete, but look for im¬
provement in each subsequent editon.
If this work is successfully accomplished by a
combined effort of your energy and my money, I
shall hope in the near future to begin, with your
assistance, the publication of a series of Irish tales
and legends in Irish, with attractive illustrations,
for distribution among children and others, as pri¬
zes for proficiency in the language.
I deem it most important, to preserve the know¬
ledge and use of the language among those in Ire¬
land who already understand it, and at the same
time cause it to spread among those who know it
imperfectly or not at all, in order that it may be
considered an honor to an Irishman to use his own
language on his native soil. In this work I look
for no assitance from any one: and expect you to
receive fair and adequate compensation for the
time and labor you expend upon it. If Providence
blesses me with a continuance of his favors, I will,
with your co-operation, push this work forward at
my own sole expense, until we can see it bear
fruit a hundred fold.
As our work goes to press I propose that your
name, as compiler and mine as publisher be stam¬
ped on each volume, together with a few sound
sentiments relating to the language and notionali¬
ty of the people of Ireland. If you are with me in
this, kindly let me know at once, and send me the
desired estimates as soon as possible.
Sincerely
Ralston J. Markoe.
