Democratic banner., 1849-01-29
For the Banner.
H1r. FitzsimOn's Lecture.

Mr. Editor: ] was among the large and
delighted audience who listened to the elo-
Iquent and elegant lecture Of this gentleman,
at the Church in this llace, on Tuesday
evening last, and believe I but repeat the
sentiment of very many who we've present
on that occasion, when | say, that If, instead
of being free, the price Of admission had
been rs or 90 cents each, ! should have felt
myself richly paid in the treat Of listening
10 the address. I think too that our citi-
zens manifested their good taste and regard
for courtesy, in the very crowded house
that so attentively listened To the speaker
And lastly, (if not leastly, J ! think the citi.
zens present but did themselves justice in
almost spontaneously contributing a hand
some little sum, for the purpose Of 'hold-
ing up the hands" of the eloquent speaker
while he is spreading among our people the
wrongs, and the griefs, and the history Of
|Irelsnd,-and demonstrating that the want
Of religious liberty is the chief cause Of the
want Of ciuI liberty il ireland, and all coun-
tries where the present Roman Catholic
priesthood have sway over the minds and
lconsciences Of the people.
1t is far from my design, Mr.. Editor, to
attempt a report, or even outline of Mr..
Fitzsimon's speech, Of which | am as inca
Ipable as it would be unjust to him, for me
even to attempt the task. But before the
pleasure which must be felt by every one
who listened to It, has entirely evanished, !
wish to call the attention Of our own citi-
zens to some few reflections which forced
themselves on my mind while I was listen
ing to the eloquent speaker, and observing
the generous sympathy Of the audience in
his behalf. Who can have forgotten, Mr..
Editor, the evident flow Of sympathy which
was observable in the countenances and &C.
Itions of the multitude, while the eloquent
gentleman was p%ortraying the wrongs, the
Insults, the miserics and death of the poor
Gown-trodden and oppressed Irish peasant,
Try, which were so wildly contrssted by the
smiling, plentiful, and happy homes of free.
born American citizens, and of naturalized
foreigners who are enjoying the blessings Of
our free government? And who does no,
remember the eager rush Of the hands to the
pockets Of the auditory, when it was an.
nounced that q contribution would be taken
up tor. the benefit of the speaker?
And yet sir, I would ask, how many Of
the Large number present, have reflected
ut indeed they are aware, that in our midst
there are numbers Of persons and families
who are suffering for the necessaries and
comforts of life? Or if not absolutely suf.
fering for want Of the common necessarie.
Of life, it is because a teU persons hav.
supplied those wants in preference 10 cell,
ing for aid on the public, some of whom re.
ply to such calls by insult and contumely
on those who undertake the thankless task
How many Of that Intelligent company
while listening to the ~plaintive tales of woe
in the far off land across the Ocean, re.
Effected, il they are aware of it, that during
the present prevailing terrible epidemic,
(which our physicians cannot name with Ger.
tain,y. and during the rigour of the late
scourging storm, that there were families
WHO were immersed in suffering and disease
and who yet had night after night to sit ~
alone with the afflicted ones, until those
who nursed the sick were FRUSTRATED; and
when often Che parents have expected To
have to lay out their own children for the
want Of help? And yet these are facts
which cannot be denied, and which will be
attested, ] doubt not, by several physicians
Of the place. And still, amidst all this suf.
ifering and restitution, have many Of sur
people, possessing abundance, almost to