Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1852-06-17
THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER.

SSntiCLloA utAM Mhout q tSW Nays P!tSt.
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THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHBR.
In our last we gave an account Of the
escape Of this celebrated Irish orator
and patriot from Van Dieman's land, and
mentioned the fact that he had arrived
in New Yolk. Both branches Of the
common council have since united in
rendering to him the Inequalities Of the
city-a compliment which he respectful
ly declined. We regard Meagher as
one Of the most remarkable men of the
age. He was perhaps the most ELOQUENT
and popular Of the agitators who. III
l84s, al oused the masses Of ireland as
with the sound Of a trumpet. He is a
son .of a member Of PA liameht--one Of
the wealthiest men i1sthe 'kingdom-and
could not, therefore, have had any selfish
object in THUS pleading the cause of the
people,. On the contrary, purely
selfish policy would have led hind to an
effort to perpe'uate the existing System
of oppression and extortion. But with
. pure and lofty, patriotism. he periled
his 70, tune and his ifein the catase'of
his country. u ,'2t' - + ~
He was tried before Court, and by
a Jury, which the extrepest charity
could not acquit from 'prejddice-and
convicted, not Of any armed resistance
to English law, but merely, Of exciting
among the Irish people
For this he was sentenced, with that re-
6nemeht 81. barbarity peculiar to English
law, 10 be hung, drawn, aid quaftered
and on the Esd Of October, ls4s,
when asked by the presiding Judge why
this hidcous sentence shouldnot be pass
ed upon him. he stood up ard calmly
pronounced'th the following words. which
will compare favorably with the famous
speech Of EMMErf, and which deserves
to live wherever. honesty, truth, and
courage find admirers or native mobility
of soul a devotee, throughout the world ::
cit is my intention to say a few
words. desire that the last, ,act Of a
proceeding which has occupied so much
of the public attention should be of
short duration, nor have the indicate
wish to close the dreary eerimony Of
State prosecution with vain display Of
words. Did / fear that, however. when
|. 1 shall be no more, the country l have
I tried to serve would think i'll of me,
! might, indeed, avail myself of this sol
emn mement to vindicate my sentiments
land nay Oonduct. But have no such
fear. The country will judge of these
,sentiments and,of that conduct in light
L think, far different from that in which
1.-the Jury by which haye been convicted
have viewed them, and perhaps th'
sentence you, my .lordss are ;about t
pronounce, will be remembered as the
severe and solemn attestation Of my rec
tilude andtruth. Whatsyer may be til,
Language in, which that sentences will b.
spoken,}I know that my fate will NEE
with sympathy, and that my me NOR.
will be honored. ~" y P" y;
|. In speaking thus. accuse me not, m,
, .lords, Of an iidecorous presumption. :
10 the efforts l have made for what
Eibelieve TO be a just and noble cause,
, attribute no vain impo' lance; nor do
, claim for them any high reward. Blu
: it so happens, and will ever so happer
!, that they who have tried 10 serve thei
J country. no matter how weak their eI
forts may have been. are sure to receiv
the thanks and blessings Of its peopl,
9 with the country. then. I leave m
!, memory, my sentiments my aets
d proudly feeling that they require no VII
o dicalion from me this day. A jury 1,
v my country, Ii is true. have fOnpd u
= guilty OF thu crime OF which was 4
- diCled, For that ] entertain not II
gliqhteat feelinO of laaent naAnk again