The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-05-22 00:00:00

REMOVAL OF O'CONNELL'S REMAINS.

The remains of Daniel O'Connell, which for 22 years
have lain in a temporary resting place in Glannevin
Cemetery, were on Saturday morning removed to a
crypt constructed for their reception beneath the round
tower which, by an unhappy choice of a monumental
design. was erected in his honour some years ago. A
grateful country has not shown precipitate haste in I
paying a fitting tribute to the memory of its illuatrious
Liberator." After the lapse of nearly a quarter of
a century the Irish capital, which resounded with the
thunder of his eloquence, is still without any vieible
memorial of the idol of the people. Some fatality
seems to have marred the attempts which have been
made in moments of popular remorse to remove what
was felt to be a national reproach, remarks The Times.
A colonial statue of marble—a work worthy of Hogan—
which ntomi in tie City-hall, and alone redeemed the neglect
of the citizen., wail removed about a year ago, despite the
remonstrances of many who predicted the result, and was
placed in front of the building. There the great tribune
with uplifted hand seemed rather to reproach than animate
his felliw country men, who had almost forgotten his leemns
and himself. The imprudence of the chatter, though It ass
well intended, was soon apparent in the dtscolouration of
the figure; and to prevent the disintegration by an un-
foendly &mate of one of the few creditable works of art
which Dublin possesses, it was found necessary to Ming it
had to its old place lad week. Anther statue Is
in preparation lyy Foley, and will occupy a site in Sackville•
street, commanding a view of the old Conciliation-hall, the
scene of O'Connell's political triumphs. Its completion,
which has been delayed by many circumetances, is tinxiouely
Meaited by all the followers of she " Liberator" who desire
to efface the stigma of ingratitude which has rested upon the
metrot.Wis. Even the monument which Dr. Petrie designed
Ii Ins honour for Glasnevin Cemetery in still unfinished.
the oria Dad design included a mortuary chapel and me-
'metal cross, as well as the round tower. Only the tower has
boss completed.
he itmoval of the remains to the crypt, which was the
object of the ceremonial last Saturday, was resolved upon in
consequence of remonstrances addreesed to the committee
upon the unsuitableness of the place in which they had so
long him Toe proceedings were of a purely religious
Character, though it was, of course, imponatble to divest the
suldect of tile political signification wldeb essentially be-
longed to it. There wee unthlbg, however, like a "national"
demosnttation such as was made when the site of the public
monument yet to be erected in the city was dedicated a few ,
yearn /monitor a Memoreble proceseion. This would have ill-bee
fitted the character of this place, or accorded with the views of
the Cardinal and other prelates who gave the ceremonial the
samtion and !splendour of their presence as the heads of
their Church taking part in Its service. Although it wanted
the attractions of • popular spectacle which many thousands
won d. have thronged to witness, it brought together an im-
mense concourse. The numbers are variously estimated, but
there were probably about ten thousand present. A reveren-
tial fee ling pervaded the whole assembly, which included
members of the several corporations of Ireland, about 200
Roman Catholic Idiots, the surviving relatives and personal
friends as well as political associates of O'Connell, and •
large number of respectable ciliary..
' In !root of the crypt a platform was erected, on which was
Ii altar, which stood under an awning of black and white,
with a background of crape, which heightened the sepulchral
impressiv,llllls of the scene. At oast side of the altar was a
"throne" for the Cardinal and chairs for the other prelates.
Below the platform emis spacious marquees and enclosures for
the fnchda of the deceased and other persons Invited to
P n .as the ceremony 'I he children of several schools were
a.araliall,..l on the prom .1, Or whim this nce.ion had a
wdrel and enegowile• interest, and among the vut multi-
tudes which filled the city of the dead were many who had
Istoitod to 11to rotes .11k. groat loader sad recalled many