The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-30
Al the Catholic Church.

Father THEoBALD MATHEW, emphatically the
Prince OF Peace" OF the present century, has fin
ished his labors here. Yesterday morning at EIGHT
O'Clock, a large audience including many of our
most influential and respected citizens assembled
at the Catholic church. IN accordance with preyi-
Gus announcement. After an impressive perform
ance of mass by the apostle, he delivered an ad-
DRESS more particularly directed 10 Irishmen. of
which we regret, from want of space we are
obliged TO give but mere outline. Father Mathew
commenced by saying that his emotion, in appear
ing before an audience like that TO which il was his
privilege 10 speak, could not be more forcibly ex
pressed than III the words of Holy Writ contained
IN the second chapter of the second book of Esdras
When arrived In America, rejoiced TO find
my fellow -countrymen in most respects worthy of
the land of their birth yet their character in many
particulars Is far from what and every true friend
have wished
You have escaped from the poverty, the oppres,
SION and the restitution of your native island.
Though your feet longer tread its soil, all the
proud memories of the glorious past are still yours
In days OF old, the virtues and excellences of our
ancestors procured for us the appelation of the
9 Island OF Saints" term which was well merited
by the universal probity and correct habits of the
happy people; a large proportion of whom were
truly entitled TO the designation under the benef-
cent influence OF the great philanthropist of our
home, the blessed St. Patrick. That you are the
sons and daughters Of such ancestry, alone
should prove sufficient stimulus to prevent you
from ever disgracing your inheritance. Though
you are 40 longer inhabitants of the green island
gave you ana your parents Dlrth, still
proud association every precious inheritance eve
ry great memory IL yours. Every memorable
deed and cherished event belongs to you equally
with those who are yet in the land of Erin. Such
being the incentives To life such as becomes men
folly alive to their responsibility to the Most High
uaJ their fellows, should be dumb Waterman and
faithess shepherd were not say that the general
department OF my beloved countrymen, as a whole,
Is any thing but what had hoped to find it,
have visited the ails and the pententaries of your
adopted land, and am Ashamed to say that have
found far too many tenants my brethren by birth
many OF them men whose characters when they
arrived In the land of their adoption, were equal to
any of the men whose lives have made the past his
tory OF Ireland superior in greatness to any other
country in the world.
The speaker then drew very forcibe picture of the
progress and effects of the temperance reformation
in Ireland, and the influence which the movement
| should have in the United States. Although Father
Mathew has very few of the graces of oratory, his
style OF speaking has an earnest truthfulnes5 which
carries with II more force than the most studiously
| elaborated attempts at eloquence. His addresses
are all redundant with the 81 milk of human kind
ness, and exactly adapted TO reach the feelings
and control the conduct for good of those to whom
they directed. His name will last and be hon.
ored long after the majority of the mock heroes of
the day are forgotten.
Another meeting was held last evening, attended
by very dense crowd, all of whom seemed TO catch
the sublime spirit OF benevoence which has sustained
| Father Mathew through his labors, which would
seem sufficient not only to bend but TO break the
most vigorous constitution. All ages and sexes
ceived the pledge, which was administered with an
impressive solemnity that must have avery strong
force in inducing those 10 whom it is given TO ad-
here TO their promise. During his labors here,
over eeren hundred persons received the pledge at
his hands. He expressed himself highly gratfed
at the results of his efforts, and extremely
dent in his expressions of gratitude at the kindness
and attention extended to him by citizens. He
| left in the noon train to-day for Worcester. On
Saturday next he visits Hartford.-Ne,o Hauen Pal
Ladit,a, both