UBIQUITY OF THE IRISH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 209, 6 April 1877, Page 7

ÜBIQUITY OF THE IRISH.

An American writer says : " Nothing has struck us more in our rambles than the übiquity of the Irish race. We have seen tliem ruling the destinies of nations in the cabinets of Europe, digging with a strong arm the wealth of the West, and sweeping the wide

waste of the waters in the floating homes of the deep, to the uncivilised islands of our antipodes. Driven by destiny or attracted by wealth, they are found wherever the sun shines or the breezes blow. But the facility with which they accustom themselves to the habits and manners of other nations seem more remarkable than their proverbial übiquity. They are digging gold in Australia, doing police duty in Siberia, preaching in Patagonia, whale fishing at the Crossettes, leading the armies of Spain, and struggling with the brigands of the Appenines. " Their influence in every land shows the designs heaven has had in the dispersion of the Irish. What would Christianity be in Australia, in New Zealand, if it were not for the Irish ? What would it be on the parched and shrivelled plains of South Africa were it not for the Irish ? And in this vast continent, where we see in every flourishing town in the Union the little church bearing the cross on high, and a Catholic people worshipping around altars of gold and marble, we have only to mention the name of the tutelary saint to find a congregation who have brought with them from old Ireland the memories of its ancient glories. There ai*e six cathedrals on the Erie canal that recognise their oiigin in the Irish emigrant. Yet Ireland's sons never cease praying, longing, and working for Ireland's liberation — for the day when ' free in their own free land,' they shall devote unto Ireland the wonderful energy they gave the proof of in foreign lands. It is remarkable, the Irish have preserved their nationality in a marked degree in those places whither the wind of destiny has wafted them ; like the chosen people of God, they are among the nations, but not of them."