The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-25
MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF IRE
LAND

MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF IRE
LAND.
On Monday evening August Is, there was a crowd
ed meeting Of the friends of Ireland held at the
Apollo Hall 70 consider, in the words Of the call,
"The present alarming condition of Ireland" There
were many ladies present and we observed some
Members Of Congress in the vicinity of the Chair.
At half past eight O'clock the President OF the Re-
peal Society, JAMES HOBAN ESQ., was called to
the Chair, and JOHN BoYLE, Esq, was appointed Sc
cretary
The Chairman, on his rising to address the meeting,
was received with strong demonstrations of regard.
He SAID the meeting is now organized, it becomes
me to state the general objects for which as
sembled This is meeting of the friends of Ireland
resident here-a meeting of the relatives of Ireland
of their connexons-of the friends of civil and reli-
gious liberty--to sympathise with suffering but a
brave and patriotic people. (Cheers.)
We are here, as freemen, privileged to think for
ourselves-we are here, as freemen, privileged to
speak what we thinkwe here to utter loudly our
sympathy for poor down-trodden Ireland, and to
guilty oppressors and these objects too holy and
high, too dear to the free and the brave, to
duce opposition from any quarter-from any citizen
Of this free Republic. Our present course is just and
proper and legitimate it accords with the spirit and
the genius of our Constitution it is course
toned by by the precedents of
Europe-sanctioned by the precedents of the most
eloquent spirits of America We assemble now to
sympathise with that nation that sympathised with
in the darkest and gloomiest hours Of our history
When the tide of fortune ran for while, against
when soldiers were without clothing, and with
out food--the generous people of Ireland though
themselves under the lash Of our enemies freghted
and fitted out ship in Cork harbor, with clothing
and food and sent her to Boston for the of our
struggling soldiery (Cheerng) She did this for us
when it was treason to love usher Burks and her
Barrys espoused our iii public and influenced
public opinion in favor They did this without a
forfeiture of their duty though living under yran-
nical monarchy and how much more is it the duty
Of free peopie-a people whose breath is powerful
and whose word is potent throughout the earth--to
breathe the words of sympathy and suf-
ferng brethren in Ireland: they our brethren in
every sense-they speak the same language-they
have shared sufferings the hour of peri-they
have followed our fortunes-their blood courses
through the veins of many of u.s. and that blood min
gled freely with the blood of the Fathers of the Re-
volution, to establish that liberty which we all now
enjoy. (Cheers.)
That country now suffering the horror. of famine
and the ravages of pampered police, who are
prompt to destroy by the sword the unhappy be-
ings that not carried off by starvation. And this
be it remembered, in land proverbial for its fertli
ty and luxuriant productions. There many Irish
men present, who have escaped these horrors-who
have escaped the lash of English tyranny-many
whose souls have not been pierced by the iron of OPP
pression-they enjoy here all that earth can yield or
heaven bestow, and it is Impossible to suppose they
are not grateful to Almighty God for their freedom
and their WEALTH. is impossible to suppose the sin,
the base degrading crime Of ngrattude towards their
Fatherand, has surrounded their large and benevo-
lent hearts, and that they will quietly abandon their
relatives and countrymen to the horrors of famine
and the swords of their enemies. Cheers.
have delayed this meeting too long, from the en-
oyment Of hearing who has lately arrived from
Ireland amongst us-one who, if fame speaks truly,
well able to inform the subject interesting
to us all. he comes to us well recommended, and
the hearts OF those present WILL am well assured,
respond to his appeal in way that will crafty him,
and animate the friends of freedom at home and
abroad. | have now the pleasure of introducing
Mr.. THOMAS MOONEY, of Dublin Much cheering)
Mr.. MOONEY then addressed the meeting, at great
length and with considerable effect; we give few
passages, and regret the unusual pressure of Con-
gress business which obliges us to curta much that
we would wish to publish. He said
g Mr.. President-Ladies and Gentemen-I stand
here in the name of Ireland the country of my birth
stand here tonight to speak in her behalf and at
the outset confess that feel proud at having this
opportunity afforded me of addressing the citizens of
the capital city of free America 1t has been my
lot, 10 protracted journey this great country
to address many meetings of American citizens in
the halls Of legislation, in the halls of Justice and in
the cabins of the western settlers and now having
arrived at the capital Of ALL at the centre of ursdc
ton and legislation at the centre of diplomacy and
government, to have the honor, say thus to find so
many friends of Ireland here, cheers me onwards-
fills with pride, and with the hope that the day is
not far distant when Ireland shall be recognised as
nation by America, and by all the nations of the
earth. (Cheers.) And here let me utter my public
Acknowledgements to the Chief Magistrate of this Re-
public, to whom had the honor to be introduced by
one of my own countrymen, the unappointed mis-
sionary Of my oppressed country. | disclosed to him
the peaceful objects had in view; informed him
that it my intention to appeal to the free people
of this Republic against the atrocities perpetraed by
Britain my unfortunate country; told him that
sought the restoration of our legislative powers
which enjoyed for thirty-three centuries, and
which per6diously wrested from us by bribery
and armed interference in the year 1900 by Eng
land, and that was apprehensive her agents and
bassadors here might misrepresent our motives and
objects to his Exceency and to all this his Excellen
cy replied that he sympahsed in the suerings Of Ire
land that he quite effort would be made
to prejudice the Executive against ireland that the
citizens had perfect right to express their opinions
and he wished me every success in my undertaking,
and hoped Ireland would be in the enjoyment Of
local Government, based on the principle of equal
representation. (Great and prolonged cheering fol-
lowed this announcement.)
need not say that Ireland cannot legally now have
a minister at the seat of the American Government.
i need not remind you that her oppressor is twice
thrice represented here with ambassadors surrounded
by wealth, and pomp, and circumstance and official
ceremony; yet, thank Heaven, poor Ireland, poor,
prosecuted Ireland whose missionary came to court
unauthorized, obscure and unheraded has found fa-
and fair hearing from that kindhearted and no
norabe that fills the chair of the immortal
Washington (Great cheering) How give
utterance to my gratitude to him How can ex-
press my JOY to Ireland for this timely this priceless
extension Of consideration to her condition pro-
phetc something inspires me with the hope that a
day soon will arrive when my country shall take her
place among the nations, and when, fondly calcu-
late her proverbia gratitude will induce her to re-
member my humble services, and perhaps appoint
m of
Washington Great and enthusiastic cheering.)
want place. CA laugh.) now give notice to you
all that will work for that place, and if shall OBJ
tain it, what proud position will be- and what
recompense to me for all have suffered from COM
mon enemies and pretended friends.