Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-06-25
Thomas Francis Meagher-An Public Receptions

Dcciined-Mr. Meagher's Address. ~
On Thursday afternoon, in New York. Thomas, T.
Meagher, Esq, the Irish exile, accompanied oy
Richard OGorman, Sen, Robert Emmett, J. B. Di! /
lon Bartsw 0'Connor and others, was waited upon
at the Astor House by committee of the Common i
Council of that city.-when Alderman Oakley pre-
scented him with certified copy OF the resolutions
adopted by both boards of the Common Council and
earnestly requested his acceptance of public re-
cepon into and the inequalities of, the city of New
York Mr. Meagher, in reply to this preferred honor,
delivered the 70 lowing eloquent address =
Gentlemen Had the effort in which / lost my
freedom been successful, the honors now rendered
would not surprise me. But il was otherwise Far
from realizing, it ohscured the hopes which accom-
panied and inspired it-ending suddenly in discour
agement 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 Encouragement it
would imply. The gratitude of people is most
bounteuus 1t is quick to appreciate to encourage
to reward. Never slow stinted in the measure it
pours OUT its faults to be precpitate and pro-
fuse Estimating men not by the severe standard
of it takes motives into consideration regard
less of the fortune which attends them and for what
ever sacrifices they have entailed awards great
equivalent. In this The gratitude of people diff
fers from the gratitude of kings. With the latter
success is an essent al condition of excellence PEN
sions knightly decorations orders of nobility these
are given by kings in exchange only for the trophies
which decorate their halls the acquisitions which
widen the surface of their dominion. Not so with
people, as have said. They do not barter and econ
omize their gifts. Whatever the result. be the mo-
tive upright be the deed honorable and their favors
are forthcoming. Moreover, it sometimes happens
that where disaster has most grievously beallen,
there their sympathes most evoked, and their
treasures most plenteously bestowed. This it is
which explains the proceedings in my regard, of the
noble city you represent have sought to serve
my country, and been anxious to contribute to her
freedom. This shall not assume the modesty to
deny. Long before mingled in the strife of poll
tics, it my ambition to be identified with the des
tiny of my country-to share her glory. if glory
were decreed her-to share her suffering and humil-
iation if such should lie her portion. For the little
have done and suffered, | have had my reward in
the penalty gned me- To be the last and humblest
name in the litany which contains the names of En-
met and Fi;Zyerad-names which waken notes of
heroism in the coolest heart and stir lofty purpo-
ses the most sluggish minds an honor which COM
pensates fully for the privations nave endured
Any recompenSe, of more joyous nature, it would
Ill become me to receive
Whilst my country remains in sorrow and SUBJ
lection it would be indicate of me to participate
in the festivities you propose. When she lifts her
head and nerves her arm for holder struggle
when she goes forth, like Miriam with song and tim
bril- to celebrate her vctory-I shall lift up my
head, and join in the hymn of freedom. Till then
the retirement seek will best accord with the love
bear her. and the sadness which her present fate
inspires. Nor do forget the companions of my ex-
lie. My heart is with them at this hour and shares
the solitude in VIII CHI they dwell. The freedom that
has been restored TO me is emhttered by the reco
lection of their captivity While they are in prison
shadow rests upon my spirit and the thought that
ght otherwise be free, throb heavily within me-
1t is painful for me to speak. should feel happy
in being permitted to be silent. For these reasons.
you will not feel diSpleased with me for declining
the honors you solicit me to accept. Did esteem
them less should not consider myselfso unworthy,
decline conclusvely to enjoy them. The priv
ileges # so eminent city should be sacred to those
who personify great and living cause-a past full
of fame. and future full of hOpe--and whose names
are prominent and imperishable.
1t pains deeply to make this reply, being SEN
sible Of the enthusiasm which glows around me- and
the eagerness with which public opportunity of
meeting me has been awaited. | know it will dis
appoint generous anxiety, but the proprety of the
determination have to is proved hy the inefi-
cheney even of this consideration to overcome me.
know. too. that it greves it will grieve 9TH
ers, and that perhaps. the motives that have led to
it may be misunderstood misconstrued. and censur-
| ed But am confident that, after little while.
| the public judgment will sanction the act which a
due regard to what owe my country, my compan-
ions, and myself, seriously dictates Yet, so far as
your invitation recognizes tie fidelity with which
adhered, and still adhere. to good and glorious
cause, be assured that it has not been exaggerated
or misplaced.
The feelings and convictions which Influenced my
career in Ireland have undergo change. Still,
as ever, perceive within my country the faculties
that fit her for useful and honorable position and
believing that they require only be set in motion
to prove successful, still would prompt her to put
them forth. Besides there is within me pride that
cannot be subdued-there is within me an ambition
that cannot be appeased. | desire to have coun-
try which shall work out fortune Of her and
depend no longer for subsistence on the charity of
other nations desire to have country which
can point to with exutation-whose prosperity shall
be my life-whose glory shall be my guer on. ] de-
sire to have country which shall occupy bene-
fcent position in the world. and by her industry in
tellect, integrity and courage, shall contribute in
community wi all free nations. to the common
happiness and grandeur of humanity.
Hopes may have darkened. but the destiny to
which would see my country lifted, is before me
stll-a height like that of Thabor crowned with an
eternal sun. 1t is bold ambition but in this fine
country could have other. The moment we
set foot upon her shore. behold the offspring
of Freedom-the energy, the thrift the opulence tt
which she has given birth--and at q glance We
, comprehend her fruitfuness utility, and spendor
;, We behold the wonders she has wrought--the de-
formed Transformed the crippled Colony bringing
into the robust proportions of an Empire which Alex
ander might we'll have sighed to conquer the ad
venturous spirit of her compromising by it's IA
: pidity, in little than half a century. for the
thousands of years in which the land lay still in the
shadow of the ancient forests-we behold all this
and the worship of our youth becomes more impas
stoned and profound. TO this land came. as ar
outcast, to seek an honorable home--as an outlaw
to claim The protection of flag that is involable
By of the wisest and mildest of the ancient le
gi >ator> it was decreed that all those who were
driven forever from their country. should he ad
mitted into the citizenship of Athens On the same
VIrtnn Of nOfr al hon