Weekly national intelligencer., 1852-06-19
Mr.. MEAGHER, THE IRISH EXILE.
FROM THE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.


A PUBLIC RECEPTION DEcLINED.-Our predic-
ton that no one would be more astonished than Mr.
MEAGHER himself at the proposition Of the Com
mon Council to give him public reception has
been verified. Yesterday afternoon the committee
waited upon him to tender the hospitalities of the
city; and Alderman OAKLEY presented certified
copy of the resolutions adopted by both Boards Of
the Common Council, briefly urging the acceptance
Of the proffered honors in some complimentary re-
marks. Mr.. MEAGHER replied in truly eloquent
and manly strain. He said
GENTLEMEN Had the effort in which lost my freedom
been successful the honors rendered would
prise me. But otherwise Far from realizing it
obscured the hopes which accompanied and inspired it
ending suddenly in encouragement and defeat This the
wide world knows. This you yourselves must inwardly
admit though the goodness of your nature will seal your
lips to the admission being fearful of the paragement
it would imply. For the little have done
and suffered have had my reward in the penalty assign
ed me- To be the last and humblest in the tany
which contains the names of Emmett and Fitzgerald
names which waen notes of herosm in the coolest heart
and stir to lofty purposes the most sluggish minds
honor which compensates fully for the privatons
have endured Any recompense Of more joyous nature
it would i'll become to receive Whilst my country re-
mains in and subection would be ndelicate of
me to participate in the festivities you propose When
she lifts her head and her for bolder strug
gle when she goes FORTH like Miriam with song and tim
bre to celebrate her victory too shall lift up my head
and join in the hymn Of freedom Till then the retire
ment seek will best accord with the love bear her and
the sadness which her present fate inspires Nor do
get the companions of my exile My heart is with them
at this hour and shares the solitude in which they dwell
The freedom that has been restored to me is embt-
tered by the recollection Of their captivity While they
are in prison shadow rests upon my spirit and the
thoughts that might otherwise be free throb heavily with
in tits painful for to speak should feel happy
in being permitted to be silent For these you
will not feel dspeased with for declining the honors
you solicit me to accept Did esteem them less should
not consider myself unworthy, 50 conclusively de-
cline to enjoy them. The privileges of SO eminent city
should be sacred to those who persony great and living
causea past full of fame and future full of hope-and
whose names are prominent and imperishable."
In continuation of this response, Mr.. MEAGHER
eulogized America and American institutions, and
spoke with so much feeling that several of his
hearers are said to have been moved to tears We
need scarcely say how greatly Mr.. Meagher's judi
cious conduct in this particular has heightened our
respect for him. 1t was to be feared that impru-
dent advisers might prevail upon him to accept an
ovation which might serve the sinister purposes Of
Others but could add nothing to his fame and which
would probably have injured him in the estimation
of all practical, right thinking men. But he will
now enjoy all the honor which can possibly be de-
rived from such compliment, with the additional
credit Of being modest and sensible as it was be-
fore known that he was daring and enthusiastic in
behalf of his country's independence 1t would be
well for other distinguished patriots from abroad to
take lesson from Mr.. MEAaIIER. Older men have
manifested much less wisdom