The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-14
From the Richmond Republican.
The two Heroes.

II has been the fortune of Ireland, that prolific
mother Of herolsm eloquence, and song, to produce
two personages whose names, even among the list
OF her immortal children stand subimely pre-em-
inent, and bid fair to defy all the buffetings of
change and of time
One of these characters is now an old man, his
form bent by the pressure Of advancing years and
his eagle eye, which once drank in, unblenching
the full blaze OF the sun of glory s waxing dull and
heavy it gazes through the dim twilight of old
age upon world which 70 him has long Since lost
its freshness and beauty. Wherever he treads
however, crowds look upon him with profound re-
spect even mobiles recognise the higher nobility of
nature, and kings feel prouder of their throne be-
cause it is sustained by such pillar. Time was
when that infrm and decrepid form sat erect in the
saddle, the centre of the chvalry and the leader of
the armies of Europe; when upon every step of his
the fate of some Kingdom hung and upon the re-
suits of his wisdom and decision were suspended
the destnies of world. Well may men make
way for his trembling gait, and fathers point him
out to their children, and history seek to embalm
his every act in the roll Of immortality for in him
Ireland has given to the world one who has con-
quercd the great conqueror of the EARTH and proved
himself. upon the crimson field Of Waterloo, master
of the king of kings.
And yet, how little does the world, how little
does even the country that bore him find TO regard
with sympathy in the career of Wellington. There
IL much in IL TO admire, much TO fear but how little
to love For every deed Of greatness that he has
performed, how many lives have been offered! For
every smile that he has earned from fortune how
many human bodies have been piled up in noun.
For every star that shines in his diadem of glory
some far more precious gem, wrung from the
casket OF bleeding heart gstens in the eye of the
widow and the fatherlessi Every laurel that he
wears upon his brow has grown in soil fertilized
by human blood. Five millions Of the human race
have fallen in the front and the rear Of his fiery
columns, and, to this enormous harvest of death,
his native Ireland gave the first fruits of her vaor
and her chivalry, till every proud old hall within
her borders sent forth the cry of bereavement and
every PEASANTS lonely cabin echoed il in sorrowful
We turn from this hero TO another-for Ireland
has another hero whose fame bids fair TO rival him
Of Waterloo He is man who never saw battle,
or fired hostile gun. Still apparently in the prime
OF ife he has achieved conquests far superior 10
any accomplished by Wellington as the soul
of man is greater than the body. He saw his ma
| tive country made captive and enslaved by mon
ster vice terrible than the fercest soldier and
| more cruel than the most relentless tyrant He
went forth, as simply armed as David in his CON
test with Goliah, bearing no weapon Of human de-
| vice, and unfolding no banner but the emblem Of
salvation Yet, wherever he has gone his cause
has gained a succession of the most glorious con-
quests recorded upon the page of history. His vic
torious course, instead Of being marked by fertile
plains laid waste, by thriving villages destroyed, by
beautiful cities burned down, may every where be
traced n cottages rebuilt, in wasted fields covered
with luxuriant grain in the wilderness blossoming
like the rose, and deserts fresh and musical with
the rush OF flowing streams. His triumphs won
derful as they are, have brought no crimson upon
| any human cheek. save that with which returning
health visits the wan check Of disease; they have
| caused no tears 10 flow from any human eye, save
the cleansing tears of heavenly penitencc Such is
Ireland's hero Of REsroRATroSi IL he not greater
/ than her hero Of DESTRUCTION? Such is Father
Mathew, Are not his victories more marvellous
| than those Of the Iron Duke9
IL he " TO be considered public beneiactor who
makes two bladcs Of grass grow where but one
grew before, how much more exalted his position
who is the means Of developing some virtue, not
only where none existed before, but i'm the place of
a noxious vice, and causing soberness, peace, in
dustry, charity, and happiness 10 spring up, like
plants richly laden with fruits and flowers, from
| tho deep corruptons Of drunkard's home. And
what shall we say Of him whose influence has
brought about this result, not only beneath one
roof, but throughout the limits Of nationi What
shall say OF the victor who upon his breast
but five millions sAvEp' What shall we say of the
humble but devoted phlanthropist who has rescued
from the lowest deeps Of human debssement the
bright pearls of honor truth, manliness, renerosi-
ty, and love; and whose transformations but unin-
ermtting lsbors, with their miraculous results re-
mind Of the coral insect. from whose lowly but
perpetual toll island rises above the ocean
soon visited by the birds OF the air, and freshened
by fertizing rains, until at last il gows with
dure attracting 10 tsclf the footsteps Of man, and
radiant with the smiles Of heaven.
Such we're the reflections suggested 10 us by Fa-
tbcr Mathews recent Christmas visit TO this city.
The holiday bells 10 hail with cheerful voice
i this messenger OF peace and good will among men,
md we could almost fancy responsive strain from
the distant harps and organs OF the skies In honor
| OF one through whom such mutitudcs Of sinners
have been brought 10 repentance. Great champion
Of humanity, the writer, though of a different faith
| cannot but say, God speed him his grand ca
recr-his glorious mission Of mercy