New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-06-19

Thomas Francis Meagher.
On Thursday afternoon the 10th inst, in NewYork.
Thomas T. Mcagher Esq, the Irish exile accompanied by
Richard O'Gorman sr.. Robert Emmett. j. b. Dillon,
Bartw O'Connor and others, waited upon at the
Astor House by committee Of the Common Council OF
that cty-whcn Alderman Oakley presented him with
certified COPY Of the resolutions adopted by both Boards
Of the Common Council and earnestly requested his
ceptance Of public reception into and the hospltaes
Of the city of NewYork. Mr. Meagher. in reply to this
rroercd honor delivered the following eloquent address
Gentemen-IIad the effort in which lost my freedom
been successful the honors rendered would not sur
prise But it otherwise. Far from realizing it
obscurcd the hopes which accompanied and inspired it,
ending suddenly in encouragement and defeat This the
wide world knowsthis you yourselves must inwardy ad
nit though the goodness of your nature will seal your
lips to the admission, being fearful of the
would imply The gratitude Of people is most boun
teous 1t quick appreciate to encourage to reward
Never slow stinted in the measure it pours outfits
fault is to be too precpitate and profusc Estimating
merit by the severe standard of success it takes
tyes into consideration regardless Of the fortune which
attends Them and for whatever sacrifices they hare en-
tailed awards great equivalent In this the gratitude
Of people differs from the gratitude of kings With the
latter success is essential condition of excellence
Pensions knightly decorations orders Of noblty-these
are given by kings in exchange ou for the trophies which
decorate their halls the acquisitions which widen the
surface of their domnions Not SO with people, as
at &c l.
honorabe-and their fayors are forthcoming Moreover
it sometimes happens that where disaster has mot grev
oQsiy beallen there their sympathies most evoked
and their treasures most penteouy bestowed Thist is
which explains the proceedings in my regard of the noble
city you represent have sought to my country
and been anxious to contribute to her freedom. This
shall not the modesty to deny. Long before
mingled the strife of politics my ambition to be
identified with the destiny of my country-to share her
glory if glory decreed herr to share her suffering
and humiliation if such should be her portion For the
little have done and suffered. have had my reward in
the penalty assigned To be the last and humblest
in the litany which contains the names Of Emmet
the coolest heart and stir to lofty purposes the most
sluggish minds an honor which compensates me fully
for the privaons have endured Any recompense OF
more joyous nature it would i'll become me to receive
while my country remains in and suhjection it
would be ndeicate Of to participate in the festivities
you propose When she lifts her head and her
for boder struggle-when she goes forth like Mir
iam with song and timbr to celebrate her vicory-I
too shall lift my head and join in the hymn Of freedom
Till then the retirement seek will best accord with the
bear her and the sadness which her present fate
inspires. Nor do forget the companions of my exile
tude in which they dwell The freedom that has been
restored to ebtered by the recollection of their
spirit and the thoughts that might otherwise be free
throb heavily within 1t painful for me to speak
should feel happy in being permitted to be silent For
these reasons will not feel dpeased with me for de-
cning the hoors you solicit accept Did esteem
them less should not consider myself unworthy, nor
decline conclusivey to enjoy them The privileges of
eminent city should be sacred to those who person
fy great and living past full of fame and
future full of hopeand whose names are prominent and
| imperishable.
st pains deeply to make this reply being sensible Of
enthusiasm that gows around me- and the eagerness
Will WHICH pupHc OI neetlHS DeeH
awaited know it will disappont generous anxiety.
but the propriety of the determination have to is
proved by the netcicncy even of this consideration to
overcome know. too that it grieves it will
greye Others and that perhaps, the motives that have
led to may be misunderstood, msconsrued and cen
sured. But confident that after little while, the
public judgment will sanction the act which due regard
to what my country, my companions and myself,
seriously dictates Yet so far your invitation rccog-
nzes the fidelity with which adhered and still adhere
to good and glorious be assured that it has not
been exaggerated or mi placed
o1
reer in Ireland have undergone change Still
perceive within my country the faculties that fit her
for useful and honorable position and believing that
they require only to 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 ambition that cannot be appeased. de-
sire to have country which shall work out fortune
her own. and depend longer for subsistence the
n o M 70 vos
shall be my life. whose glory shall be my guerdon dc
sire to have country which shall occupy beneficen
position in the world and by her industry. intellect in
egrity and shall contribute in community witt
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 still-a height
like that of Thabor crowned with eternal 1t is
bold ambition but in this fine country could have non,
other The moment we set our foot upon her shore
behold the offspring of Freedom-the energy, the thfft
the opuence to which she has given brth-and at
glance, we comprehend her rufuness, utility and spen
dor, We behold the wonders she has wrought-the de
formed tranformedthe crippled Colony springing int
the robust proportion of an Empire which Alexandc
might well have sighed to conauer-the a1yenturou
spirit of her compensating by its rapidty in lt
more than half century for the thousands of years il
which the land lay still in the shadow of the ancient for
eswe behold all this and the worship of youth be
comes impassioned and profound. To this land
came outcast. to seek honorable home-as al
outlaw to claim the protection of flag that is invoable
By one of the wses and mildes of the ancient legsa
tors it decreed that all those who driven for
from their country should be admitted into tn
the sentence of perpetual banishment. which excludes
from my native land sought quiet sanctuary in tn
home of Washington. To other land could the hear
which has felt the rude hand of tyranny, confden
turn for serene repose. Long may she prosper-con
uing faithful to the inheritance left her by the fathers
the republic. Long may she prospergatherng into tn
bosom Of her great family the children of all nations
adding to her territory not by the sword of the soldier
the subtley of the statesman but by the diffusion Of he
principles and the consonance OF her simple laws and il
sttutoDs with the good and purer aspirations
mankind. Long may she prospcr-cach year adding
her stock of strength and dignity and wisdom and hig
above her countless fleets and cities to the last
Grafton, may the of her liberty be descre
10 In the darkest storm which shakes the thrones and
nastes of the old world may it stand unscathed In Il
y darkest night which falls upon the Of struggii
people may it shine forth like the in the wldcrne
re and be them emblem of hope and signal of sav
ton
Tie Common Council seemed entirely taken by surpri
during the delivery of this address though they could
j. but admire tho honorable and friendly motives viii
prompted him to decline the attering testimonials VIII
his brothers in persecution still wearing out thu
time in the Penal Colonies. While alludng to the su
IS ings experienced by these gentlemen Mr., Meagher W
deey affected and many Of the audience Were unable
,s control their feelings.
The Baltimore and Pennsylvania delegations were p
sent during portion of the reply,