AN GAODHAL.
843
A monthly Journal devoted to the Cultivation and
Preservation of the Irish Language and the au¬
tonomy of the Irish Nation.
Entered at the Brooklyn P. O. as second-class mail
matter.
Eighth Year of Publication.
Published at 814 Pacific st., Brooklyn, N. Y.,
M. J. LOGAN, - - - Editor and Proprietor.
Terms of Subscription — Sixty Cents a year, in
advance ; Five Cents a single copy.
Terms of Advertising — 10 cents a line, Agate
VOL 7, No. 1. DECEMBER, 1888.
With this issue The Gael enters on
its eighth year, and, therefore, has suc¬
cessfully battled with all the ailments
incident to the infant state.
That The Gael had had to contend
with many obstacles before it emerged
from its infancy, those who followed the
course of Gaelic events can bear ample
testimony. Suffice it to say that it has
triumphantly surmounted all the diffi¬
culties with which it had to combat,
and comes out smilingly to bid its well
wishes all the compliments of the sea¬
son, — A merry Christmas and a happy
New Year.
Not at any time in our modern histo¬
ry have the Irish people attained the
social consideration which they com¬
mand today. Though they are still
persecuted in their own land, yet a con¬
siderable number of their former perse¬
cutors sympathize with them. In this
country, where opportunities to display
Celtic talent and genius abound, the I¬
rish element, by the exercise of that
talent and genius, has compelled respect.
What is the immediate cause of this
sudden change in the social position of
the Irish people? The movement for the
cultivation and preservation of their
language! Up to the initiation of that
movement, fifteen years ago, the major¬
ity of the Irish people, at home and a¬
broad, were under the impression that
they had had no measure of civilization
except that which they copied from their
Saxon masters. Thus believing, they
were bashful in their manner and timid
in their action lest their aforesaid Sax¬
on masters should further crush them.
In fact they were no better than the
slave, with their hand to their hat to ev¬
ery British shoneen who went the way.
The cultivation of their language
[though a large number of the mean
serfs would not contribute a red penny
to its support, but, fox-like, benefit by
the labor of others], the evidence of
their ancient civilization, has changed
all this. They are bashful and timid
no longer; they walk at their full height
and bend and bow to no man.
The Language Movement having ac¬
complished all these favorable changes
should not every Iishman do all in his
power to extend it?
As some so-called Irishmen are will¬
ing to carry the brand of British slav¬
ery to the grave, we will not expend
space on that class. But we say to
the supporters of the movement: Get
all the new subscribers you can, send
yourselves a dollar yearly to the sup¬
port of the movement, and you will
hear of The Gael in every nook and
corner in the land! Much intelligence
is given the real Gael, therefore large
results are expected of him.
