The New York herald., 1851-11-08
FATHER MATHEWS FAREWELL ADDRESS.


DEARLY BELOVED FRIENps:-
My mission amongst you closes to-day. can
Lot take my final departure from the shores of
your great and prosperous country, without pub
Iioly recording my deep and grateful appreciation
OF the generous sympathy, the delicate attention,
and the unremitting kindness which l have expe-
rienced in every section of this vast Union. The
noble reception which you have spontaneously ten.
dtred to a stranger, known merely as m humble
missionary in the cause of moral REFORM proves the
devotion of your people to the Interests of
however feebly championed, and has enaeared
America and her people to me by a thousand ties
too sacred for utterance. Though the renewed
attacks of a painful and insidious malady, have
rsndere it i'm possible that could (without imm-
nent danger to my life), make those public exer-
items which were never spared by me in the days
Of my health and of my vigor, yet thank heaven,
lave been Instrumental in adding to the ranks of
temperance over 100000 disciples in America.
have been much cheered during the past week, by
the receipt of letters from all parts Of the States
bearing unimpeachable testimony to the strict
fidelity with which this voluntary obligation is OBJ
served / need scarcely add, that virtue, and the
duties which religion incxlcates, together with
peace, plenty, domestic comfort, health, and hap
Iiress, have everywhere followed in its train.
! cannot omit this opportunity of bearing my
grateful testimony to the generous and valuabe CO.
operation which have received, in the prosecution
Of my mission, from the public press of America.
Whatever may be the party sectional differences
that separate those influential expositors of pabl
opinion, all recognized, in the simple principle
which enunciated. a common ground of plternal
pnion; and acting in that Christian spirit have,
with scarcely exception, over freely tendere
their valuable support and advocacy to The caus,
Of ten perance, emphatically the cause of virtue,
patriotism and morality. If the sffectiona.e SYM
Iathy and kindness Of the American people have
at all times been generously extended to me during
ny tour, how much more intense has this Die feel
ing become as the period approached for my de-
pariure How can find lang 1age to thank the
generous, the high-souled, the noble Henry Clay,
my disnterested advocate-my dearly cherished
friend! How can l express the measure Of my obi.
cation to the benevolent VIM. Corcsran, of Wash
ington to the public spirited and philanthropic
Henry Grinnell to your merchant princes, E, X.
Collins and Robert Kermit to the aniable and
gifted archbishop of New York, whose delicate and
unrtmitting attention viii never be forgotten by
lis honored guest to the host Of kind friends in
this city, in Philadel phia, Boston, Albany, New
OTleans, st. Louis, Cincinnati, and through tae
Union, who have responded to Mr.. Clsy's appeal,
and in their farewell present have furnished m,-
morial of gratitude and generosity too high
ly appreciated by the object of their sympathy
aand and solicitpde--tSo deeply, engraven on his
phrases sanctioned by conventional usage -
There are emotions of gratitude too intense for
language to convey; were it other wise, gladly would
attempt to give expression to my profound thanks
Catherine Hays. Never will forget the sym pathy
felt by that noble minded lady, the spontaneous
generosity $50 Characteristic of her Irish hearty
which prompted her recent grateful and substantial
ompliment. Never will this noble act be forgotten
Father Mathew, and when his earthly pilgrim
seis over, when his stewardship ceases, and he is
lytnomed shaft Of the slanderer cannot reach,
'sag may her honored name be pronounced with
autude and respect by the sons and daughters Of
81 beau.eous isle which she loves we'll. To
own beloved countrymen / most afe,tionately
snder te words Of parting advice You ha ye,
- dearly beloved nds, relinqushed the land Of
n birth, endearsd to you by a thousand foud
liniscences, TO seek on these distant shores thl.
lunerstion for industry and toll too often denied
pat home. You are presented here witha bouni-
IS field of profitable employment, and every ia
cement held out to persevering industry. You
. received and welcomed into the great American
.anily with feelings Of sympathy, kindness and
.fndshp. After few years you become citizens
bounds in all the materials of mineral agricuturs
and commercial wealth; the avenues to honor and
ane are literally thro En open to you aud to your
children, and no impediment (save Of your own
creation) exists to prevent you attaining the high
est social and civic distinction, and will you any
longer permit those glorious opportunities to pass
unimproved, or, rather, will you lot, by studying
self respect, and acquiring habits suited to your new
position aspire to reflect honor alike on the land Of
your birth and OF your adoption / implore you,
as would with my dying breath, to discard forever
those foolish divisions-those insensats quarrels-
those factous broils oo often, alas the fruits Of
intemperance) In which your country is dsgraced,
the peace and order Of society violated, and the
laws OF heaven trampled on and outraged. Oh, how
painful Is the contrast between the feelings which
generate those foolish local animosties amongst the
common nhabitant, Of country, the entire area OF
which would but fern an uncomfortable section Of
some of the larger states Of this Union, AMI that
broad and comprehensive spiri. Of patri otism which
makes every inhabtaut OF this mighty republic
from the Atlantic to the Pacifc-from Maine to
California-glory in the title Of an American citi
zen.
Friends and fellow countryme now bid you a
reluctant, final farewell. few hours more will
separate me from the hosptabe shores of Americs
forever. / carry with me, 10 Z" the poor old couu
try feelings of respect and attachment for its peo
pie, that neither time distance can obterate.
CITIZENS Of the United Statesl fervently pray that
the Almighty Dfposer Of human events, In whose
hands the destinies Of nations, may continue |
those blessings and favors which you have so long
erjoyed-that your progress in every private aud |
public virtue may keep pace With your u1exampled
prosperity--that you and your childrens children |
may be ever true to the great destiny that awaits /
you, and TO the spirit Of those institutions under
the fostering care Of which you have so rapidly pro-
gressed. May your country still extend the hald !
of succor to the helpless exile, afford ass lam 10
the prosecuted. and a home to the oppressed-and |
thus inseparably connect her future destiny with the
interests of universal humanity ,
Citizens Of the United States and beloved coun.
trymen-sgain adieu May heaven pour is choic I
fst blessings on your favored land Is the farewell
prayer cf
Your devoted and sfectionate friend
THEoBAtD MATHEW.
'H