The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-04
Colonel Dick Johnson's Great speech at the
Repeal Meeting I'm the Tabernacle Inst
Evening


part OF the spacious building was crammed to suflo-
cation. few minutes after half past seven o'clock
the Colonel entered the house, attended by John
McKeon, and ES. Derry, Esqs. land few other gen.
temen repeaers. The moment il was known that
The old hero had entered the building, the whole
assemblage sprung to their feet and gave utterance
TO shout,-loud, deafening, and prolonged, such
as only Hibernan lungs could originate It almost
lifted the roof off the building, and when the
stamping of feet commenced, the soul of the Rev.
David Hale trembed within him for the safety of
the building. The gallant Colonel walked with a
military cloak on his shoulders down the aisle with
great dignity, bowling repeatedly in acknowledge
ment OF the enthusiastic cheers which greeted him.
On reaching the platform and taking the chair.
three tremendous cheers were given for the distln-
guished visiter, alter which the reading of the
minutes Of the last meeting was proceeded with by
Bart, O'Conner, Esq, the talented and gentle manly
secretary OF the association.
Col JOHNSON then rose, and again greeted by en-
thusasc applause He addressed the assemblage fol-
lows IN clear distinct voice, and with much animation:
Friends and fellow citizens permit to return 10
Tor the high honor you have conferred upon me- in Gull.
ing me 10 preside over this mass meeting of portion
peoted that accordance with the usual custom such
occasions, should address you the great subject
which has called you together [Cheers] ! have re-
hectsd much on the question OF the repeal of the egss
tive unen between Great Britain and Ireland and it has
appeared me clear that in is involved precisely
the same great principle OF the right of self government
which led TO the struggle between the citizens sub
Jects OF the South American governments and their
lers between the Greeks and between
the Poles and their yrsnne masters and last NOT least
between the colonies and the mother country that srug
gle which terminated in giving liberty then to thirteen
states. and now TO twentysx States Of this Union
tGrest cheering The great principles thus involv.
cd IN the repeal agitation are the same then for which
have advocated and defended alike zealously private
ctzen-as a state legislator-and a member of both
Houses OF Congrcs-they the principles in the
defence OF which have shed my blood Great appause
There cannot therefore be any improperly in my thus
coming forward this evening and avowng my heartfelt
sympathy for that cause in which you are engaged.
prosod Of nay course, and differed from me in relation
TO tho willingness and the enhusas with which have
united and fought under the bannerthe moral banner
beneath which you carrying the moral war of IL
hery against despotism. [Cheers my friends do not
agree with in this sentiment il is because do not
sgree with my friends in THEIRS harm done either
way. Laughter There is not country in the world
where the law Is so sublimely omn potent in the United
states-tCheersl- land not portion of citizens who
are more submissive to that law than our Irish
outbreak. They threaten in this agitation existing
law. And trust i, will continue TO be in the con.
test in Europe until be trumphsny successful 1t is
neral coHfica peaceful discussion OF political rights
the doctrine Of equal righsagainst tyranny and OPP
preston As understand it, the rePeaers both sides
olhe Atlantic, have other design than the vndcatsn
oitruh aud liberty ny of the tremendous but pow
eriul agency OF free discussion. Cheers And what is
the result hoped for II is the emancipation of some
eight or ten millions Of peoplethe most gallant and
ooedient 10 he lava people distinguished nobly on
every battle field in Europe [Cheersl ! before
the star spsngled banner Of my country and recolect
well that under that same banner have fought side by
for that liberty which we now enjoy under the proec
ton of the Great jehovah the protection of the Fede
raj Constitution; Renewed cheering] can see also
the banner on which is inscribed the words Justice to
Ireland and the other side the flag of tyranny-of
despotic, power. Who, that has true American
struggle which going between the ranks assembled
under these different banners, without feeling warmly in
successfully waged herel fCheers.l We know what
the Irish are here very wellwe they fought at
Lundys lane, not to go farther backand did not Mont
geometry whom We now claim as own, fall at Quebec
in this countrys causel loud spplause) care not
what the country OF the true patriot be- claim him
az brother tCheers.] When the widows and orphans
OF the revolutionary heroesand when the surviving sol
diers othst war, came to and asked my services in
their behalf to get them relief from the government,
never stopped 10 inquire of what country they
[Cheer never asked whether they we're native born
or adopted, or whether they not to be
,uralized. never asked the old soldier whether he
democrat or awhig. No. II | only knew mat he had
Tough, in that cause enough me- [Grea, cheer
ingl That justified him in being democrat or wing,
oranything elsa he pleased Cheers] And exered my
have been often represented as 'peo
pies man. By that expression was meant 10 carry the
idea that have from my early entrance in public life
deavored to please the multitude Yes. and thank God,
whom should please but the people. Cheers and loud
applause.l Whom have they served1 Whom have they
Why in your humble servant "a voice-'and they will
again J" followed by tremendous applause How long
have they placed confidence IN mel Why, Tor year
less than forty, which is believe thirty nine and il in.
stead OF coming here to and your great city, had
remained at home, would this winter have completed
that cycle OF forty in public life out Of the brief
space Of sixty one years Applause. And never, no
never, did my immediate constituents say mo" at the
pos-the old rifle snspped-[ laughter and sp-
plause]it neither snapped f,shed-lrenswed laugh
teri but every fire it brought down its game loud cheesl
ana elevated me to some honorable ohce either to the
Legislature o.
at last was made perfect gentleman of by being put in
the Vice Presidents chair and appointed to preside
the Senate [Cheers and shout OF you'll be President
next?'l You might suppose from this that have been
something OF denagogue, but amt. tell you that
II the whole universal race OF man stood here collected
this night and asked me ~ do thing against my
Conscience Iwouldn't do i'll wouldn't think of doing
-grsat cheeringl All the power earth couldn't in
duce me to say do ought against liberty of peechoi
the pressof clectionthe right OF self government. II
the whole people were to ask to do that, am not peo
pies man enough to obey then-tcheers And, thank
God, for the last fifty days have all hands that
can command the good will Of all parties, and maintain
my conscience nvioate at the time. And here you
my Irish friends have cheeret Just they do in Ken
lucky Qsughter And I'll tell you that they 10 there
without excitement except that arising from afec.
tioD for we have now got almost all to quit drinking
whskey there as you all have got heretlaughter and
great applause Whenever huzzs, there it is because
we think man worthy Of our confidence and esteem.
And now perhaps my friends you would be glad to hear
that when trace back my ancestry to English and
Welsh progenitors find that by accident, somehow
or other when get to one Of my great grsndmoheTs she
was an lrishwoman-eerrhc cheerng) and So although
IN one part oil my family the blood Almost as slow
to put you in mind of the story about
sold Uncle Billy Kay,
Who seemed much in oorrow,
II you askd him question to day
He answered you tomorrow laughter.
Yet on the other side flowed quick enough tell you So
that when mounted ny high horse and the daDder got
up, folks would say to nae, Oh there's the Irish, y"
foars of laughter and appause And the truth that's
not bad mixture Of blood after all[laughter But
remember my friends that in this great struggle we arc
not TO violate any rights, Laws, institutions of
country. But can do all that without violating any