Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-05-15
IRISH .Eloqslence.


is indebted to Counsellor Philhps-the
rival of Curran in patriotism, in orato-
nv, and in the hearts of his country
men. Keis a native of Sligo, and is
but 90 years of age.
From Dublin Paper.
During the late Vacation, this distin-
ruished young Irishman received many
demonstrations of public gratitude, from
communities where he had been person
allv unknown. The public dinner given
to him in the city fCoTk, and the adj
dress Of the Catholics of Limerick invit-
inc him to a similar distinction in that ci-
ty, have been already communicated to
the public. At Killarney he was re-
ceived with acclamatiens and bontires--
and the unusual but interesting spectacle
of hunting the red deer, was celebrated
to do him honor. At dinner given in
the neighborhood of Killarney, at which
Mr.. Phillips and Mr.. Payne, the Amerl-
can actor, were presents toast was given
in combined reference to the two stran-
gers, and the two countries to which they
belonged-Mr. Phillips, after tie toast
was drank, replied to the company IN
the following Mariner -
" 1t is not with the vain hope OF re-
turning by words the kindnesses which
have been literally showered upon me
during the short period of our acqualn-
lance, that now interrupt, for mo-
ment, the flow of your testiyity. Indeed
it's not necessary-An irishman needs
no requitaI for his hospitality; its gene
rous impulse is the instinct Of his nature,
and the very consciousness or the act
carries it's recompence along with it
But, Sir, there are sensations excited by
an aliusion III your toast, under the intl-
ence of which silence would be impossi-
bic. To be associated with MIR. Payne,
must be to any one who regards private
virtues and personal accomplishments, a
source cfpecu lar pride, and that feeling
is Eot little erharced in ne by afecoi-
lection of the country to which We are IL
debted for his qualifications. indeed the
mention OF America has never failed to
fill me with the most lively emotions. III
my earliest infancy-tiiat tender season,
when impress sicns the most permanent <
the most pow effui are likely to te ezc!t-
ed, the story of her then recent stru! &c
raised threb in every heart the9 loved
liberty, ard wrung reluctant tribute e.
ven from discounted oppression. | saw
her Stunning alike tie Injuries that ould
eneryste, and tie ies:ons that would init
Misunderstanding Ecla her lips tie poison
eli cup Of :turorean serSitude, and thro'
ali tie vicssitudcs Of her rrotracted COR
iiict, disriay ing ma@ranimlty that def
ed misfortune, and a moderation that CT
namented victory. It was the first visicn
Of nv childhooJ-it viii descend With
ne to tie grave. As e man, then, | ven
crate the mention Of America hut as az
iriskman, concede her claims Gu NV al
fectien. Never, oh never, While she has
her memory left her. can Ireland forget
the home OF her eil,isi ant, and the asy-
'um of her exile. No matter whether
their sorrows spring from tie errors OF
enthusiasm, OF the realities of suffering
from fancy Or infliction-trom ficticn or
from fact-that must ne reserved for tie
scrutiny of those whom Ike lapse of ages
shall acquit of partially. 1t is for the
men of other ages to investigate and re-
cord It; but it is fer the men CT every
ace to Rail the hospitality that received
the shelterless. and love tie feeling that
betriendcd the unfortunate. But if A.
me,ica calls on our gratitude for tie PAST
how deeply does see draw upon cur inte-
rest for the future. Who can say, that
when, in its follies or it's crimes, the old
world shall have inferred ali tie pride OF
its POWER, and all the pomr Of its civil !
eaton, human nature may not Ind It's
destined renovation lie the rev. te,-
hans when the terrie end tie trorhy |!
shall have mouldered iE,o dust-when
the glories Of our rane shall De Dut tie
legend OF tradition, AID tie light al our
discoveries onlv live III sons-l hlloso-
ply may rise asain in tie sky OF her
Franklin, and glory rekindle at tie urn
OF her Washington. Is tbs the vision OF
romantic fancy? appeal to history
the monumental recorG Of national rise &
national ruin. Tell ne, thou revered
chronicle of the era e, can the splendor
of achievement, or the solidity OF success,
secure to empire the permanence OF its
possessions? Alas, Troy thought SO once,
yet tie lard ofpIam lives only in song
TEebes, thoushtso once, yether hundred
Aa4on Ln.n n.,,.,Llnd I'D Or very tom, e