The North-Carolina standard., 1849-09-19
CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER ie ls4e:
FATHER MATHEW

,I75a6 iazs9til FATHER MATHEW. ia<9E p s
The New York Herald publishes memoir of this
distinguished man, who is now visit to this
lcountry) from which we extract the following inte-
resting information ~ fs4 - sssf@
e-ss Theobald Mathew was born at Thomaston, near
Cashel in the county of Tipperary, the, 10th OF
October, 1890, and left orphan at early age.
He is descended from very ancient Welsh fami-
ly. The records of the Principally carry the pedi-
gree back to GwaythEoed, King of Cardigan, in di-
rect descent from whom, was Sir David Mathew, the
great standard bearer of Edward w. The geneal-
ogy is given down to the present time, from which
appeared that Father Mathew ancestors were high
titled nobleen, and the possessors of estates,
in the counties Of Glare, Galway. Cork and Limerick.
family, by Lady Elizabeth Mathew sister of the last
Earl of Llandaff. She died in 1842 and bequeathed
the whole to French nobleman, Viscount de Cha
bot. What is singular enough, the old lady who
had adopted and brought up Father Mathew, made
him executor of the will, but he declined TO act The
castle and domain of Thomaston is one of the most
beautiful places in Ireland; and is situated in what
is called the {" golden Valley
Father Mathew gave early evidence of that bene-
icence which now shines forth with such reulgence
IN his character. He was ever planning something
benevolent. He purchased the Botanic Gardens of
Cork, and converted them into magnificent ceme-
terry for the burial Of the poor of every denomination
About the same time he commenced building Go
thlc Chnrchs and expended about 900 on it.
He |" threw his whole soul, into the temperance
movement but for time the effect was neither brill
liant nor encouraging. Still he persevered amidst
rdlcnle, SANDER, and open hostility till at length the
wonderful spectacle that astonished the whole world
was exhibited and drunkards, by the troops abandon
ed their darling vices, from which nothing before
could tear them. His fame spread rapidly, and the
people focked to him from the surrounding counties,
for 100 miles distant, most of them on foot
He was received in Limerick with the most uIl-
paralleled enthusiasm, and even the Orange party,
differing in politics and religion, and hating their
Catholic neighbors united in paying homage to this
extraordinary man.
To give idea of the most extraordinary impulse
which he had communicated to the public mind
the subject of temperance, may state that in one
day, at Nenagh, 10000 persons took the pledge; in
Galway, In two days, 100000; in Loughrea, in two
days, $4,000; between Galway and Loughrea, on
the road to Portumna, from 10000 200, 900; in
Dublin, during five days, about zoo, ,0O0. There are
few towns in Ireland which Father Mathew has not
visited, and with like success.
He was the advocate of 's total abstinance,'' and
the Catholic population every where embraced the
doctrine preached by him. The fidelity with which
the pledge was kept by the people extraordinary.
Many distinguished men joined his cause, and such
was the glowing enthusiasm that at one time prevail
ed, you would behold ladies of the first respectable
y, meekly kneeing at the feet of the Apostle of
Temperance, to receive his blessing. &M
Many of the Catholic priesthood in Ireland were
not friendly to him, and Mr.. O'Connel never liked
him. Both the arch-agitators and the clergy, as
body, were jealous of his influence and his fame
Recentlyahe lost much of his popularity by accept
ing pension from Government, which the extreme
ed him to accept. Mr.. Mathew lost his means by
his labors for the people, and embittered his life by
the pressure of heavy pecuniary liabilities. His
private resources, not tery large, cheerfuy
pended In the temperance cause
He had one brother embarked in dstilling; one of
his sisters married to eminent distiler; and
another brother married to lady whose family
were extensively engaged in the manufacture of
whiskey. But, regardless of the commercial injury
his own friends and kindred must suffer from the
cause of temperance-regardless of his own pecu-
mary losses he entered his course of exerton,
and nev er sackened in his toll.
A magnificent Gothic Tower, costing R2,500, in !
tended to commemorate the kind reception given to
him by the Londoners, in the year 1843 was erect
ed to Father Mathew, by Mr.. VIM. O'Connor, of
Cork, at his own residence, Mount Patrick. Il
Two years ago, Father Matthew was one of the |
candidates for the vacant bishoprick of Cork, and
we believe he obtained the highest number of votes
but an influence was used against him at Rome, and
such representations made to his Holiness the Pope,
that the office was given to the next worthy. 1t has
been stated, that after the election, and in antieipa
ton of fcation In his favor, he invited all the
clergy of Cork and its vicinity, to sumptuous BAN
quet. Wines of the choicest vintage and most cost
ly description flowed in abundance, and even the
mountain dew - had an honored place the table.
Use was made of this against him. But it ought to
be recollected that Father Mathew adopted the
cynical principle of refusing brandy, or whskey or
reioiced at his defeat, though the country generally
was indignant at it. Had he been made bishop, it
could not have added ota to his greatness while
the duties of such an office would necessarily have
interfered completely with his peculiar calling.
He used to boast of his robust frame and ruddy
countenance, specimen of water drinker; but
he is now close upon 60 years of age, and hissven
cradle head is grey. Nothing can exceed the nsinu-
ating grace of his gentlemanly manners, the
ness Of his Munster brogue refined, as it is, edu-
cation and highly cultivated intellect. ,gs ssei
In Father Mathew, the Catholic priest is complete
ly lost in the Christian. To him Catholics and Pro-
testants of equal interest They are men. Again,
no man ever exhibited more disinterested zeal.
He is modest and unassuming, and has no ambi-
ton, except the noble one of doing good.
His eloquence is not of the highest order. but
there is persuasive simplicity and directness about
it that BELTS his mission and character His style
has been compared to that of the Apostle Paul.
GEN. TAYLoR's SPEEcHEs-ANoTHER. Our oppo-
nets affect aholy horror at the of Gen.
Taylors speeches. That given by US meets with
any amount of Federal Indignation. In reply, we
have only to say Gen. Taylor should not have made
it, if it is unacceptable to his friends. We have