SNIPPET: Ever since the Great Famine of 1845-49, emigration had been a major factor in Irish life. In the 20th century the outward flow continued, abated only by the enforced intervals of two world wars. By the 1930s, the Irish people living outside of Ireland easily outnumber the inhabitants of the island. For the majority of emigrants, America was the dreamed destination. Somehow, as the "next parish to the West," it had a closeness which belied the width of the Atlantic Ocean. And there were many vibrant Irish communities by this time to help receive and settle newcomers. Despite that, emigration was still a dreadful wrench as families were broken up. Some would-be emigrants returned to Ireland, preferring an uncertain future in their ancient homeland. Author David LEHMAN wrote in the April 2004 issue of "Smithsonian" magazine that without Emma LAZARUS' timeless lines below - "Lady Liberty" might be just another statue, and that Americans tend to take the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty for granted, as if she has always stood in New York Harbor welcoming immigrants. At the ceremony dedicating the statue, LAZARUS' poem was not read. No even alluded to its open-armed welcome to immigrants fleeing hunger and persecution. President Grover CLEVELAND emphasized the spread of American ideals. The light from the statue's outstretched torch, he said, would "pierce the darkness of ignorance and man's oppression until Liberty shall enlighten the world." An event almost unnoticed at the time was the May 5, 1903 presentation of a bronze plaque of Ms. LAZARUS' poem to the War Department post commander on Bedloe's Island, although it had been composed some twenty years before, in 1883, to raise money at an auction to help pay for a pedestal for the statue and was familiar to other poets. Sculptor Frederic Auguste BARTHOLDI's "Liberty Enlightening the World" had been a gift to the United States from the people of France in 1884 as a symbol of friendship and of the liberty that citizens enjoy under a free form of government. It was finally unveiled on its completed pedestal on October 28, 1886. A Only a few months later, in 1887, Ms. LAZARUS died of cancer at the age of 38. In 1903, following a two-year campaign by her friend Georgina SCHUYLER, "The New Colossus" plaque was at last placed on an anterior wall of the statue's pedestal. However, it remained virtually ignored for more than a generation. It was not until the 1930s, when Europeans in droves began seeking asylum from Fascist persecution, that her poem was rediscovered, quoted in speeches, and set to music by Irving BERLIN. THE NEW COLOSSUS Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed sunset-gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome, her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin-cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she, With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore; Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.701 / Virus Database: 458 - Release Date: 6/9/2004