Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-29
FRIENDS OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS
LIBERTY IN IRELAND.
Sketches of the Presidents .3ddress to thu
Soc;efy on. the eth December, lS29S.

Society on the eth December, 1898.
Mr.. Custis, OF Arlington, on taking the chair
addressed the meeting. He expressed his thanks
for the honor which had been conferred upon
him, He observed that illness alone had pre-
vented his attendance at the former meetings
Of the Society, but, although not present in the
BODY, his better part, his soul, was with them,
and would ever be with the friends OF civil and
religious liberty, and especially where their as
ISOLATION should occur in behalf of the Cause OF
much injured Ireland. He had sent to them,
from The couch OF pain an appeal from Erin 10
America. The poetry Of this performance
was probably bad, but the sentiments, he trust
ed, would De endorsed, good, and, as such, pass
current with Americans. An appeal from the
old. firm and faithful friend OF America, in her
dsys Of trial, when The "friend in need" proved
"ih. friend indeed" SHOULD be met by the warm
est sympathy, and should produce the most
liberal and enthusiastic assurance from all who
will for momen, reiec, upon, not what we are,
but whs, we once were, when the gallant sons
Of Erin fought by the side OF our fathers, in the
Shawn of liberty's morning." that we might
now enjoy The splendor and happiness OF "her
mrrid an day" fApplause) Amid the many
interesting recollec tons Of his early life, and
which occurred in that imposing era OF Amer
lean history, he 6rs, Presidency, MIR. Gusts
had often seen in the halls of the Great Chief,
those illus,iious Irishment Barry, Wayne,
Stewart. aud many others; he had beheld the
warm grasp Of the hand, the benignani express
sion the countenance, and heard the kindly
words from venerated lips, which Sads them
welcome. Yes, continued Mr.. c. /, who should
know. can Tell, and tell We truly, that, dear TO
fr e IF
gallant Erins, who had shared with him The
tolls and elories Of nations deliverance, and
MANY, ave, full many time, from amid the
,espectable crowds which always attended the
Patriot Chief wherever he went, the voice Of a
war worn veteran of the Revolution has been
heard in Erin's own native accents. God bless
and long life to your hontr's excellence; and
and sure wasn't 1t myself who fought for Am
erica? (Cheers.)
Mr.. Custis took an historical review OF the
celebrated revoi, of the Pennsylvania Line, the
only alloy that has ever been attempted to be
urged agains, the true golden service Of the l.
rish, in the war Of liberty Mr.. G. satisfactory
~ proved tina, the revolt arose from misappre-
hension OF the character and intentions OF the
ancient Congress: that the soldierv scorned the
idea of going over 20 the enemy, and actually
Clinton, to tempt Them by the most ex,rava-
gran, offers, aud that, when waited upon by
Committee Of Congress, and matters sa'isfac>
,orily explained, they (the revolters) returned
10 their duty without desertisn or bloodshed-
The several of the other lines of the American
Army. were in part insubordinate at different
nsriods of the contest, all Of which mishaps
have long since been forgiven, and should be
tnau
among the best and bravcst troops belonging 10
the Army Of independence.
MIR. &. further observed; the age OF phiian-
throw and good feeling has commenced, may
il continue ill poor Ireland shall receive her
full share. This benignant spirit seems abroad
in America: for Americans have aided the
Greek. and i, was magnanimous 70 do so: but
the Greeks recollections Of liberty are OF two
thousand wears ago nor hath he Greek to urge
tina, The blood Of his fathers moistened the sa-
cred soil of freedom in the New World. The
aid afforded to Greece twas noble and feelings"
and for such "liheral assistance" In her hour
of pe,il. every "meri,i is due" But the laid
asked for Ireland" is the far more generous
aDpealine'' Of "brave suffering People who
once aided you When e
~Remember your trials when ye think on the past,
service
"Thni. in your arduous struggle from first to the last
elbow many Irshmen fought; how many irshmen died..
Mr.. C.. continued: A voice should be heard
from America, and it will be heard with atteo>
,ion aud respect. Towards the Governments
Of Europe old and corrupt, England pays little
regard; she hseds not the in,rigues OF their
Cabinets, or the valour and discipline OF their
armies With her gold she can eountermine
the cabals Of the one, and she hath both valor
aud discipline wi which 10 meet the oth.r.-
Blu, 10 the rising empire Of the West, the young
pian; whose growth has transcribed oil former
example and all human Observation-Disclosures
turns many an anxious and inquuing took
She breads no rival on me land, but feels TO
The very hearts blood OF her existence every
thing like ri,alship on the wave. In maratime
.nt.rprise, ,ha. which gave 10 Cook, Vancou.
YER. ssd Arson, immortality, is an affair ofev-
ery d.y occurrence TO American s-amen, and
,o, 40. round The world is undertaken by them
with =, little concern and little more prepare
,;on chan would formerly have been bestowed
y non tris TO the Yves, Indies. Since the he !