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"In conclusion, we may say this, that while our social and commercial relations make it a necessity for every man, woman, and child, in this kingdom, to learn English, sooner or later, reverence for our past history, regard for the memory of our ancestors, our national honour, as well as the fear of becoming materialised and losing our best and highest characteristics, call upon us imperatively to assist the Irish-speaking population at the present crisis, and to establish for all time a bi-lingual population in those parts of Ireland where Irish is now spoken, from which all those who, in the distant future, may wish to investigate the history or the antiquities of our nation, may draw, as from a fountain, that vernacular knowledge which for such purpose, is indispensably necessary."
I do not think there is much to add to what I have said here, except to observe that it is a national duty—I had almost said a moral one—for all those who speak Irish to speak it to their children also, and to take care that the growing generation shall know it as well as themselves: and in general, that it is the duty of all Irish-speakers to use their own language amongst themselves, and on all possible occasions, except where it will not run. For, if we allow one of the finest and richest languages in Europe, which, fifty years ago, was spoken by nearly four millions of Irishmen, to die out without a struggle, it will be an everlasting disgrace and a blighting stigma upon our nationality.
