The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-15
McaKher,s Addre...

tG.
panied by Richard O'Gorman, Sen. Rober,
Emmett, J. B. Dillon, Bart'w o'Connor and
others, was waited upon at the Astor House
by a committee of the common council of ,ho,
city; when Alderman Oakley presented him
with a certified copy of the resolutions adopt.
ed by both boards Of the common council, and
earnestly requested his acceptance of public
into, and the hospiialities of the city
of New York. Mr.. Meagher, in reply to this
proffered honor, delivered the following elo.
quent address -
Gentlemen: Had the effort in which lost
my freedom been successful, the honors now
rendered would not surprise me. But it was
otherwise. Far from realizing, it obscured
the hopes which accompanied and inspired il
ending suddenly in discouragement and de.
feat. 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 disparage.
ment it would imply. The gratitude OF q peo.
pie is most bounteOus. 1t is quick to appreci-
ate, TO encourage, TO reward. Never slow or
stinted in the measure il pours out, its fault is
to be too precipitate and profuse. Estimating
merit not by the severe standard Of success,
of the fortune which attends them, and for
whatever sacrifices they have entailed, awards
great equivalent. In this, the gratitude of a
people differs from the gratitude of Kings
With the latter, success is an essential condi.
ton of excellence. Pensions, knighily decor.
ations, orders of nobility, these are given by
kings in exchange only for the trophies winch
decorate their halls, or the acquisitions which
widen the surfuce Of their dominion. Not so
with people, as | have said. They do not
barter and economize their gifts. Whatever
the result, be the motive upright, be the deed
honorable, aud their favors are forthc0ming.-
Moreover, it sometimes happens that where
disaster has most grevously befallen, there
their sympathies are most evoked, and their
treasures most plenteousiy bestowed. This it
is which explains the proceedings, in my re-
gard, 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 m0desty to deny. Long before |
mingled in the strife of politics, it was my
ambition to be identified with the destiny of
my country-to share her glory, if glory were
decreed her-to share her suffering and humi-
liation, if such should be her portion. For
the little have done and SUFFERED have had
my reward in the penalty assigned me. To be
the last and humblest name in the litany which
contains the names OF Emmet and Fitzgerald
names which waken notes of herOism in the
coolest heart, and stir 10 lofty purposes the
most sluggish minds an honor which com
pensates me fully for the privations | have
endured. Amy recompense, of more joyous
nature, ii would i'll become me TO receive.
Whilst my country remains in sorrow and
subsection, it would be indelicate of me to par
ticipale in the festivities you propose. When
she lifts her head and nerves her arm for bol
der struggle-when she goes forth, like Miriam
with song and timbril to celebrate her victory
i, too, 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 p-
spires. Nor do forget the companions of my
exile. My heart is with them at this hour,
ahd sha res the solitude in which they dwell.
The freedom that has been restored to me is
embttered by the rec objection of their captivi
ty. While they are in prison shadow rests
upon my spirit, and the thoughts that might
otherwise be free, throb heavily within mn
is ,inful fer 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
. accept. Did esteem them less, should
not consider myself so unworthy, nor decline
so conclusvely to enjoy them. The privileges
of so eminent city should be sacred to those
who personify a great and living cause-a past
full of fame, and future full of hope-and
whose names are prominent and imperishable.
1t pains me deeply to make this reply being
sensible fthe enthusiasm which glOws around
me, and the eagerness with which a public OPP
portunity of meeting me has been awaited. |
know it will disappoint a generous anxiety,
but the proprieIy of the determination | have
come to is proved by the inefficiency even of
this consideration to overcome me. L know,
too, that as it greves me, II will grieve others,
and that perhaps, the motives that have led TO
it may be misunderstood, misconstrued, and
But am confident that, after
little while, the public judgment will sanction
the act which q due reg ard to what | owe my
my companions, and myself, serious.
iy dictates. Yet, so far as your invitation re-
cognizes the fidelity with which adhered, and
still adhere, to a good and glorious cause, be
! ssured that il has not been exaggerated or
The feelings and convictions which inhu-
enced my career in Ireland have undergone no
change. Still, as ever, l 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 ber 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 country which shall work out fortune
of her own, and depend no longer for subsis-
tance on the charity of other nations. desire
TO have country which l can point TO with
exultation-whose prosperity shall be my life
whose glory shall be my guerdon. desire
to have country which shall occupy bene-
fcent position in the world, and by her indus
try, intellect, integrity and courage, shall con.
tribute, in community with all free nations, to
the common happiness and grandeur of hu-
manity.
Hopes may have darkened, but the destiny,
to which would see my country lifted is be-
fore me stll--a height, like that OF Thabor,
crowned with an eternal sun. IL is a bold am-
bition, bat in this fine country l could have
none other. The moment We set our foot upon
her shore we behold the offspring of Freedom
the energy, the thrift, the opulencs TO which
she has given birlh-and, at glance, we CON-
prehend her fruilfuiness, utility, and spiendor.
We ..ehold the wonders she has wrought-the
deformed trnnsformed--the crippled Colony
springing into the robust proportions OF an Ein.
pire which Alexander might well have sighed
m ennnuar- rho advanfuroua s1irtf tlf her sons