Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-22

Irishmen, descendants of Irishmen, and Ame.
Aricans, the friends of Ireland, celebrate now ana
hereafter this auspicious day. Let it brightly
shine in freedoms annals Cherish the recollec'
ton of the patriot ,cho began the cork Of ms coun
tru's defiuerance wifh but seven followers. ana
,ciA end 1t Nth seuea naAions. lCheers.l
This day, which it is probable America mas
been the first to celebrate, will become hereafter
national festival in the Emerald Isle, and shouid
inspire national feeling of pride and PATRIOTISM
in the bosom of every true son of Erin, whether
he NAV dwell in the land of his fathers, or IN the
wlds of the Mississippi. The day must not 60
down when the liberator is gathered to the
tomb. Irshmen, mindful of his services. Will
teach their children to celebrate the birth day OF
their country's benefacter; and on each return
ing 9Th of August, while freedom has votary IN
the Green Isle, from prncely halls to the pea
SAINTS hut, from the gold priced tokay to humble
potyeen, will the Irishman seize his glass, while
he gives from his heart, long life to the tame
and memory Of O'Conneli! Long continued
cheering.
The Orator continued have thus humblly
endeavored to render I" honor to whom honor IS
dues" but while, in common with all the trends
of liberty, we hail the bright lustre OF - rising
SUM-" let US not forget how much we enjoy IN the
mild radiance shed by the virtues and services
of him hose race is run" In an evil and un-
guarded hour the liberator Of Erin threw. and,
as he was pleased to say. "wth regret" net
tie on the grave Of Washington. All the feel
inss of an American, superadded to those Of fill
al duty and affection, made II impossible that |
should be a cal observer of such a circumstance
did myself the honor of addressing letter, OF
considerable length, to Mr.. O'Connell, IN which
endcavored to show that distinguished person
ace that lie lab0red under erroneous impressions,
when he attempted to cast slur upon the me-
mory of Americas paternal chief. When ready
for the press, my American friends dlssuadcd
me from publishing, on the ground that the LIE
and actions of the Pater Patrle required no mans
vindlcation. My Irish friends doubted whether
the publication of the letter, at that momentous
period of Ireland's struggles, might not have a
some what unfavorab!e bearing upon her cause
While did not entirely agree with The reason.
ing, in the frs, instance, Welded at once to the
force of the last, and suppressed, for time, the
expression of my individual feelings, lest they
might IN even the smallest degree, prove Getri
mental to the great cause Of Ireland's liberties -
Loud cheering.
The accepted hour for publication, is however.
at hand; the ''long agonv" of Ireland is nearly
over, and O'Connrll will soon rest from his la
bors. on the bosom of an emancipated and CRATE
fuI country. Then. and not till then. will the
American claim of the Irshman's masnanlmity,
a revision of his sentence. and hearing at the
bar of public Justice. With your permission |
will recte one or two passages from the letter,
and then let the cause lay over till Ireland is free.
(Cheers)
Mr.. c. proceeded to quote the passages from
his letter as follows:
"You are pleased to say that YOU have thrown,
and, with regret, nettle on the grave OF Wash
ingtOn. Powerless has been your cast. sir, and
and stingless will fall nettle where the laurels
of honor so canopy the grave. The unworthy
nette will find no cOngenla soil about spot
where tears of veneration, fallen from Pilgrim
eyes, have so moistened the surface, as to cause
flowers unfading to spring and flourish around
the Patriarch's tomb. And surely, upon so hal
lowed a sepulchre, where the wise, the vrtuous,
and the brave, of all cimes, and nations, have
mains of Father Of his Country. it but lily be-
fl, the llberator Of Erin alone. to cast the foul
tribute Of worthless weed. (Chcers.) Pardon
me, SIR, that write to YOU thus plainly. Your
name and character are by no means unknown
to, or unappreciated by, the Americans. They
have been enthusiastic admirers of your gene
rous liberties OF your country; have cheered you
from their hearts during your arduous and gallant
struggle, and will sincerely REFUGE in its success
full and glorious termination But. sir, when, in
an unguarded moment, and with unhallowed
hand, you threw, even a nettle Of reproach, on
the grave of their chief, you at once aroused eve
ry honest and indignant feeling Of their nature,
and, of all the people inhabiting the globe. least
could the Americans have expected. that. from a
son of Erin would have been off red foul tri.
butte to the fame and memory OF him, who was at
once the friend and commander of Iri>hm-n, in
the war Of that Revolution which eventuated in
the establishment of mighty empire; whose
name was fondiv invoked 5y the martyrs VINO
persisted for Ireland in the da"u of her liber-
ties morning. and the history of whose illustr-
Gus life and actions will form the standard for
patriotic virtue in all ages yet to come. Cheer
ing
You, sir, are as vet but in the spring bloom
of your greatness: when you shall have ripened
in autumnal fruits; when. with name that fills
world. and virtues and services that exalt .hu-
man nature. your renown shall have stood test