Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-09
From the Democratic Press.
TO TILE SONS OF HIBERNIA.

Born in land Of manacles and chains, era
died in the lap of political degradation and OPP
| preston; scourged with the iron rod OF perse-
cution; bound, and bowed down to the earth by
the hard hand Of an memorable despot: In
land where the sun of liberty has never smiled;
and whence hope is in Punishment and exile:
how AFFECT is the conditan OF the Irish.
am on Irishman. Ireland; oppressed, de-
graded Ireland, is the land ofmy nativity The
God of Nature smiled when he created that
beautiful "Emerald Isle;" but his wrath was up
on it, when he placed It's rulers there.
have seenthe noble indignant souls ofIrish-
men, rise, and swell, and yearn over their coun-
try's wrongs: have seen them unite, TO burst
the letters Of their iron-hearted masters: But j
have seen them unite, but to sink, to perish, and
exDire--martyrs to the land they loved. have
seen an Emmett rise, but have seen an Emmett
fall; and alb! my countrymen in that TALL have
seen the shackle bur more closely rivned upon
those who were so unfortunate as TO survive
him, mou rued over my fallen, PROSTATE coun-
try; my soul sickened, babe farewell TO Erin; |
was an Exie.-From blighted hopes and with
cred prospects, hither 10 a land OF strangers
bent my way sorrowing and unknown placed
nv foot upon the strand; but found their port
ais open 10 receive me; | was welcomed as a
brother, like Angels Of Heaven they poured
balm into my wounded and broken spirits, min
stered to my wants and gave me an asylum
from oppression.-My counlrymen, you too
have wilhered under the lash Of prosecutions;
you TOO have here found projection and securi
iy from the vengeance of your pursuers, the
doors Of hospitality have been thrown open TO
us all, there is 10 exceptions taken; but ali that
destiny casts upoa these shores lind homes and
friends and Liberty.
History has told me that the strong arm OF
tyranny was once stretched over this land, as
we'll as that Of my own-History has also told
me that then arose up host OF Sages and Sol
diers and Phlanthropists; with souls too noble,
too daring and too devoted to brook the stripes
of these calous hearted task-masers: who as the
chords were frightened upon them grew more
determined, more resolute, and more desperate,
until at last they hurled the gauntlet Of defiance
at their insolent oppressors. They knew that
Heaven might doom them 10 death but MOI 10
chains; that their enemies might kill but not
conquer.-Thus fixed, thus fortified, their hope
| in the God Of Mercies, they went FORTH strong
even in their weakness, the champions OF liber-
ty. The minds eye may trace them as they
move unmurmering along, "braving the pelting
Of the pi!iiess Storm" naked and exposed. I'm
agina,ion may picture them breasting the shock
Of naughty and usurping foe, sweeping down
upon them like the avalanche Of the Andes
Fancy may sketch them graphing with the
prowling and blood thirsty inhabitants of the
wood whose war is a war Of determination
now they may be seen flying broken and in dis
order like fugitives before their too powerful
adversaries; and now they may be seen turning
upon them like the combatants of the Nervi, Ss
vanquishng and subduing them Scenes like
these NAV be sketched. and looked upon as
picture Of romance but here, on this very soil;
they are engraved in the deep, strong indelible
characters Of reality: and this recital is nara
ton of truth.
Irishmen had your own beloved Emmett, and
his brave associates been upheld in their dar-
ing enterprise, how would you have cherished
and caressed them? how would you have Law
ished your gratitude and your homage at their
feet? the wekin would have rung with paeans.
to their praise, and wreaths ofnever fading lau
rel wo:ld have environed their bfows.-But a.
las! Emmett and his comrades fell and in their
graves lie buried the hopes of Ireland. The
die is cast, there is 20 redeemng star, bat all is
settled down in black and dismal night.-And
what; my countrymen would have been the
doom Of those who dared to raise rebel stan
0arQ nefe ndQ Heaven lFOWneQ on tDelF tiIOFt!
An Emmet's fate awaited them-the price Of
their temerity was an ignominous death. But
it was otherwise ordained; a Gracious Provi-
dence smiled upon their enterprise, and from
long and desperate struggle brought them out
victorious. They knew the value of the jewel
for they bought it with their blood. But with
a magnanimity of soul; which such souls only
know, they opened their arms to all the nations
Of the earth and babe ,hem> Come, and Wei
come" and be partakers with them of their
biessing--Irishmen, can we forget them? Sharers
as we are Of the rich bounty of their land and OF
their laws. When man called upon to exer-
else the dear nestimabIe privilege of self gov
eminent; can we forget the man who gave US
kths? No, answer no.--It is a SANDER upon
our love and gratitude to say we can: Then Sons
Of Erin, let Us manifest affection for the
land we live in and the government we live un-
der, by giving our suffrages on the Second
Tuesday in October, to the two Soldiers of the
Revolution, Jacob Strembeck, and John White,
the one for the office of Sheriff for the City and
County of Philadelphia, the other for County
Commissioners, and by so doing cancel "a part Of
the debt they have laid US under
HIBERNICUS.