Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1852-06-24
MeaghOr-the Irish Patriot.

to his countrymeR, but TO the American
people, as that Of one who fell victim
! to his love Of country. The details Of
his career may not be generally known
for that career was short and the Incl
dents which marked it we're pot Of a pa
turC to blazen his fame widely through>
out the world. He led no army, he
welded no sword, he shed no blood, in
his country's cause, because no opportW-
nifty was given him thus to signalize his
devotion 10 his beloved land. There was
no Irish revolution in ls48, nor even
any organised and pre-arranged rebellion.
With the single exception Of the ILL.,
Judged and fruitless sscapade in which
Smith OBriep became so unfortunately
implicated, and which was almost in
stantly suppressed, there was no resist
ance 10 any part Of ireland to Eng 'ish
authority. But there was kipdled during
that year in the hearts of the Irish
people, an inward fame Of patriotic zeal,
Ia higher and more resolGte longing for
the dcliverance and regeneration Of their
native land and profounder purpose,
on the part Of their foremost men, to
educate the Irish people up to the
knowledge Of their interests and their
rights, and the stern resolve to demand
and secure them from further spoliation.
1t was the work mainly Of few youth
full and ardent souls, gifted with genius
and burning with ardor on behalf Of
their country. Some Of them-Davis,
Mitchell, Duffy, O'Gorman and others,
poured their thoughts and hopes into
the popular ear, and touched with lofty
enthusiasm the popular heart, through
the press. The Nation was paper
established and supported by them aud
we venture to say that no Journal ever
published could be compared with that
wonderful paper. for ability, for lofty
energy Of tone and for the patriotic in
spiration which seemed to glow and hlaze
, in its every column and every line. No
one can read il even nov, alter the ex.
, element OF the time has passed away,
without the profoundest admiration Of
the genius by which il is marked.
a Meagher labored, with equal ardol
). and equal effect, in another Geld, Their
!. but mere boy from Waterford only
a twenty four years old. lately from col
n lege end still engaged in professional
n studies, the exegencies Of the, times i'm
q PEELED him into active political discuss
y ions. He addressed popular assemble
upon the Wrongs Of ireland. and gpol
the duties of Irishmen. Scorning l.
latter, where he felt that his task was 4
= !, instruct. dlsdaining 10 follow where h
=, felt that it was his mission to lead, ant
, rising at once above oil the common
place exclamation against English tyr.
!, amy and in empty praise of Irish virtue,
he taught his countryn1en their place as
a nation. and their duty to themselves
and to the world. How loftily and no.
;, bly, rises such language as this, extracted
J, from one Of his speeches at Belfast in
ls47, above tie hollow rant of empty
:. demagogues who mistake passion TO-
patriotism. and dream Of saving thei
country merely by promoting their owl
. selfish schemes:
u "A noble philosophy has taught u
~ that God has divided this world int
:. those beautiful systems called nations
- :" each Of which. fulfilling its separat
= mission, becomes an essential benefit t
= tho rest. To this divine arrangement
- will you alone refuse to conform, surren
: dering the position, renouncing the re
! sponsibihty. which you have been as
signed? Other nations, with abilitie
far less eminent than tn use which yol
10 possess. having greater difficulties to
" encounter, have obeyed. with heroisn
the commandment from which you hay
swerved. maintaining that noble order q
existence through which even the ppores
10 State becomes an instructive chapter
m the great history Of the world. Sham
lis upon you Switzerland. without
a colony, without helping hand from, an
I'd court in Europe. has held, for centuries
if her footing on the Alps; spite of tn
&c avalanche, has bid her little territor.
5e sustain. in peace and plenty. the childrel
ID to whom she has given birtb--has T. aine'
,e them up in the arts that contribute to tn
Or security, the Joy, the dignity Of life--ha
Le taught them 10 depend apon themselves
% nuu tOI tucN tOIbuuc w W th"u@'~' W ~
y officious stranger. and. though blood
id red cloud is, breaking. even while speak
Id over one OF her brightest lakes. Whatey
a plague may issue from il, be assured Q
a this. the cap OF foreign despotism, vii
re never gleapa again in the market place 0
sr Altoff. Shame upon you at
'f Norway. with her scanty population
% scarce million strong-has kept her 6aI
% upon the Catega.. has reared q race !
gallant sailors 70 guard her soil; yea
after year has nprsed, upon that soil
y harvest 70 which the Swede can lay NJ
8 claim has saved her ancient laws. aae
TO the spirit Of her frank and hardy son,
{. commits the freedom which she rescued
NJ from the allied swords when they hack
. ed her crown at Frederickstadt. Saan'