Washington sentinel., 1854-03-09
Meeting of the Friends of the Late Thomas
Deyin Reilly.

Louisiana avenue, on Tuesday evening last,
for the purpose of showing their respect for
his memory, and their admiration of his va
ried talents; and at the same time to express
coincidence with his family on their melancholy
bereavement.
1t having been announced that John Nit
chell, the Irish exile, would be present, large
concourse of the citizens of Washington as
sembled, and the proceedings, of which We
give sketch below, were characterized by
solemnity beftting the occasion.
On motion by j. d. Hoover, esq, marshal
for the district, the meeting was organized by
calling Beverley Tucker, esq, to the chair.
The chairman stated that this meeting was
convened in pursuance of a preliminary one
held on the evening previous, TO take such
measures as were demanded by the event which
all present. he felt assured, so deeply deplored.
They had but too recently returned from
paying the last sad Offices due to exalted per-
sonal worth, to require any more formal an
nouncement of the objects of this meeting from
him. That generous, confding, and brilliantly
intellectual gentleman, so lately and so sud-
denly stricken down in the fullness Of health
and the prime of life, was not only held dear
by his own countrymen, but by those who had
formed his acquaintance in the land of his
adoption; and hence, they could all, as with
one heart, participate in the proceedings, at
/ once suggestive of SO many pleasant, but
mournful associations. He would therefore
announce that the consideration of the resolu-
tions, framed by committee appointed for
that purpose at the previous meeting, would be
the first business in order.
Mr. w. ID. Wa.lach reported the resolutions,
as follows: ".
Resolved, That in the death of Thomas Deyin
Reilly. great public loss has been susained-a
loss to his atherland 10 his adopted country, and
TO the cause Of progressive principles.
| Resoied, That when we add to his numeronsin-
tellec,ual requirements and ability, that high per.
sonal character, generous nature, and lmpu!sive
i spirit, which made him so popular wherever
known, We feel more deeply this sudden di>pen-
sation, and unafectedly sympathze with his af-
ficted family in their own sacred grief
Resottrd, That committee, to be composed OF
--persons be appointed, whose duty it shall
be 10 devise the most suitable testimonial TO the
memory of our deceased friend, and TO take such
other steps as may be suggested by his immediate
Resoleed, That the president Of this meeting be
instructed and requested TO convey TO the afflicted
widow, the lervent and heartfelt coincidence OF
this meeting upon loss, which, while irreParabe
TO her, is nj the same time deeply felt by wide
spread circle of devoted friends.
He remarked that few men knew the la
mented deceased better than himself. Circum-
stances had thrown them together in New \ ork
soon after he came an exile to our shores. He
E knew him well. He was a man of genius,
of brilliant and profound attainments, and Of
exalted moral excellence. At the day Of his
DEATH though not more than thirty years of
age. he questioned whether we had in the
length and breadth Of this land, a more nc
complshed man. He was the very soul Of
chvalry. His heart beat for misfortune,
whether that misfortune were individual or ma
tional. His purse was ever open to the poor.
Reckless in regard to money which he could
never dolze, he took no thought for the NOR
row, but died as he lived, the child of genius.
May his memory be ever green with us.
The question was then taken on the adop-
ton Of the resolutions, and they were unani-
mously agreed to; the "ayes" coming from
mournful tone which indicated the deep feel
ing in every heart.
Mr.. T. McNerhany followed in touching
eulogy, well worded, and solemn rs beftted
the occasion, giving sketch of the history
and an excellent notice of the political and
! literary labors of Mr. Reilly.
Mr. Savage, of New York, one of the co-pa-
trots of the deceased, and of John Mitchell,
was next introduced to the meeting, and was
received with applause. He said he did not
come to Washington with the intention Of MAX
ing speech; he was not so gifted; and, if he
were, upon the subject which had brought
them there, he really could not find words in
which to express himself. For the great de-
sire he felt to say what he could not he was
entirely choaked his utterance was stopped.
. He was one Of the dearest friends he ever
had His past life had been eloquently refer
red to by the last speaker. He was one Of
those men who, in ls4s, had followed John
Mitchell and other patriots, who did not think
it was wrong to spill blood for nations lib
erty. Applause. He had no squeamish SEN
timents about that He believed in the doc
trines of Washington and Jefferson, and all
/ those men who had elevated this country to a
position the most exalted and enviable of any
country on earth. Entertaining those feelings,
he had, with one bound, leaped over from the
period of 1898 to 1913.
After adverting, at considerable length. to
the great talents and excellent qualities of Mr..
Reilly, Mr. Savage stated that the reason why
John Mitchell was not present was, that he was
so much affected at the news Of the death Of
his friend that he had been quite sick ever
since, and that his health was far from being
good. ,..
The apology was affectionately though sor-
rowfuly received.
Mr.. Farrelly followed in heightened and
energetic speech after which
Mr. Samuel Read, of New Orleans said:
This is no occasion for the display of thrilling
language; the feelings of the heart make dumb
our eloquence. !, as friend of tho deceased,
take this occasion to pay my tribute to his
memory. A child of genius has been gathered
to his fathers Ireland has lost a column to
its liberty, pillar Of freedom for her future
greatness. 1t has crumbled into dust
| ''Liies fitful fever DER, he sleeps we'll
When the last record of human grandeur shall
have passed away, and time itself shall have be-
come extinguished,
1 Eternity shall catch the theme
And dwell with rapture on his fame
The chair then announced the following
gentlemen. as a committee of FIVE, to superin.
tend the contribution of some substantial me-
| nnnrinl of THAR rnnard fnr tho dnnnns cod. Col.