The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-04
ne MEAsl@ FESTIVAL " BOSTON
Glsat Gvis and Military Display.
9xI0 OF THOMAS FRANCIS MEAoIKR,
-. 10, DO


Faneua Hall last evening, In commemoration of hk
thirtieth birthday. The celebration was given by
the Aeagher Club of United Irishmen, and by the
the Meagher Rifles. The Sarsfeld, Bay State and
Pulaski Guards, of Boston, also Joined in the cele-
bratiOn Deputations Of civic and military assoca-
tioas attended from New York, Providence, R. l.,
Woonsocket, r. l., Blackstone, R. l., and from the
towns of Fail River, Lowell, Lawrence, Worcester
Chariostown, Syracuse, Charleston, s. c., Salem
Mass, Lynn, Randolph, Quincy, Sandwich Rox
bury, Braintree, Woburn, Manchester, n H., Con.
cord, N. H., Bangor and Portland Maine, and seye-
raj other places. The military guests wore their full
dress uniform, which added much to the pleasing
effect Of the scene. A large number of ladies also
participated in the celebration. Mr.. ODonohoe, the
recently arrived convict from Van Dieman's Land,
was present. and was naturally regarded with an in
tense degree of interest Altogether, there were
about seven hundred persons present. The celebra-
ton was presided over by Capt B. S. Treanor of the
Meagher Rifles.
After justice was done to the viands provided the
Secretary read letters of apology from the Hon. Ed
ward Everett, his Exceency Governor Clifford; his
Honor Mayor Seaver, of Boston; the Hon. Robert C.
Winthrop; General Shields, of Illinois, Major Kings
Land, of New York; R. O'Corman, Of New York;
Mishael Doheny, of New York, and from other per-
sons who had been invited to participate in the
celebration.
The following are the letters of Messrs Everett,
Clifford and Shields
FROM HON. EDWARD EVERETT
0enteDon-I have received your obging letter of the
s enclosing circular relative to this cslebf alton of
guishsd Irish orator and patriot b, grand civil and
mas.7 banquet IN Fanueil Hall, on the Sd Of August
am greatly indebted to You for the honor of an nvi
taon 10 be present occasion of much interest
to the couDtrymen and friends of Mr.. Meagher You
aAt*ering your letter and the friendly feelings
tswarA myself which you are good enough to express
America, gentlemen. must forget her origin before
she can withhold her sympathy from those who come
to her in the sac cd character Of the exile; espe
cially those who have stood the last stern test
in defssos Of their principles It had long been
boAst Of England that her grit isles great
h sT Ss1s
beea asylum for all the rest of the world including
Great Britain HERSELF and while not single citizen OF
shores have sor ded home and free participation In
all privileges and blessings the victims Of op
and misfortune from every other country the
Being under engagement to attend on Monday next at
Plymouth festival in honor Of the twice doomed exies
VINO laid the foundation of New England, and having
made arrangements to the residue Of the week in
TIE country, for reoose and relaxation regret viii not
and win Ss'd
rsquast you to offer the following toast in my NAME
rss.,s.,, lss Ir..ndAna the prosperous
'Eis- liberty thror ghout the world.
from GOVERNOR CLIFFORD, OF MASSACHUSETTS.
OoUsCM CHANBER, July %. 1853.
v~Eemen--I have the honor TO acknowledge the
an vs,ion to be present at the celebration Of
HAN 3. E o. a. .,as Francis Msaeher Esq in Faneun
lad
30 Sr.os saS as It as tA.
agreeable would Do me to psrtici cate 10 it. Bat INV
tst AZ ~ maze several days ago. win require
And am necessarily obliged to forego the pleasure Of be-
with my thanks for tia obeine manner IN vh,ct von
have invited and urged my presence. -
I'm, gent'smen your frend and obedent servant,
JOHN H. CLIFFORD.
FROM GENERAL sRIELDs, OF ILLINOIS
hILEvIIls Illinois july 26 1883
GEETInEN-I have the hon,r to scknov ledge the re-
cept of your polite invitatont attend BANQUET to be
birth day Of Thomas Meagher honor of that dstin.
guished Irish patriot. beg leave to return nv sincere
toexpress regret that temporary has
me from receiving your iDssstiag coumnnc. on until
poxa gentlemen, to be with you reply It ia not in my
next and regret this exceedingthe third of August
me u favorable Opportunity tSecanse it will de-
ior the character and talents Of ty my sincere
eentesn you intend to honor on the stinguished
as my edmraton for the saving principle wb;h rs well
MS n0oAe associates attempted to ne ma
N io4S-tbe union of all Irshnen. ~ Ireland
In the moral economy of nations un;o, :;
Ss"sH w;, na me disunon Is week.-mrs. dsesse aud
pulse and cooperating in any great L a.ai I'M
seriss are iIresistb:, but any number ;o en-
gifted as Individuals the preisstined prey of
significant band of sdventurers who may choose to com
ents glorious Illustration Of the nestimabe value Of
a0on-~hile the history of Ireland furnishes melan-
Nay America continue cherish and ireland learn IN
practice the saving principle of union and cooperation
Permit in conclusion. to express my acknowIedg
ments for your polite invitation and my regret not
being able to unite with you in testifyng nv high re-
spect for your distinguished patron Thomas Mesgher
Ge.tlsmen, have the honor to be, obsdsns
vs1t JAMES SHIELDS.
The first toast proposed was one in honor of "The
President Of the United Statesr which was received
with all the honors, and was followed by the toast
o. "The Press, responded to by Mr.. George Ro-
,erts, of the Boston Times. The third toast was
'The Health of Thomas Francis Meagher.r This
VAS drank with the greatest enthusiasm, and re.
sponded to by Mr.. MEAGH zR as follows
MR. MEAGHER's SPEECH.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GKSrrEMEN-Having to speak for
myself, have not much to say. You are aware that,
since my arrival in this country. have sought an ex.
empton from the honors which, at this festivy you
oo-n p'ehheu 70 pay me. Dd consult my wn dis
position and permit myself to be governed exclusively by
motives Of nature surely personal should have sti
sihsred to the resolution with which set out and in
this instance, ksvse have declined the favors which
n the midst Of much elegance, and worth, and
spot 10 noted you have extended to me.
bu<, in this city having other occasions with
- oordiAi q welcome, been helped in my efforts BY
foesh band and altogether been made sensible Of so
generous an interest and stesdfast friendship it
t"ucs me 1t would be somewhat usgracous to deny to
you the qualification of the Wishes you had cherished
hese In this city, upon my entering into wider ex
PAnse and noiser scenes. from the sim and shaded
wsssrs OF the ssclusion had rst sought was my com
ing with an aro.nt anxiety awaited Here in the dis.
cape OF thoss duties which to were rksome and dis
Ms'etui' but which the changes and exactons Of new
Me imposed, was my footing made good my doubts dis
peh my ring prospects strengthened and widen.
%, and suffused with the rht of bettav uar