Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-06-15
IRELAND.

IRELAND. 81
The history of the bloody struggles
of unhappy Ireland has always been a
popular subject. Her misfortunes have
been lamented, and her genius eulogized.
In verse of touching pathos, the poet
has sung of her woes; in strains OF
burning eloquence that must live for
ever, the memory of her great has been
embalmed. But repeated comments on
her SORROWS, and the repetition of her
mournful story, should not lesson the
sympathy of freemen for her liberty
loving patriots, who unsheathed the
sword to battle with hydra-headed des-
potism for the rights dearest to the
heart of man. He who can look upon
the past of that nation, and contemplate
her battles and her fall with heart un-
moved to pity, has soul dead to all
high and pure emotions, and is unworthy
to repose in the shade of the tree of
liberty. - = 4Hf HfL1 -
The Irish are brave, generous, and
hardy people. They love their country,
they love freedom. Proud by nature,
they scorn seryitude; and, though bound
in golden shackles, the clanking of their
fetters makes harsh music to their ears.
They bear their ensIavement with the
restlessness Of the captive, who, though
the splendors of art adorn his prison,
longs to be where he can breathe the
pure mountain air, listen to the rushing
cataract's roar, drink of the cold
springs, and be free as the breezes that
fan the heavens, or as the wild bird that
roams through the thunder's home
above him. ..--,
This noble race, it has been the mur-
derous aim of England to ruin; to keep
them in state of abject dependency; 10
stab their liberties; and yoke them to
her triumphal car Acting in accord
ance with the spirit of the beast that is
representative of her supremacy and
power, she has been guilty of unright-
eous impositious upon this people; has
claimed from them unjust tribute, as
well as given other manifestations of a
desire to have the lions share in the
spoils of this world.
There is degree to which human
patience can be taxed, but beyond that
it is unsafe to GO. There is certain
amount which man-so 'fearfully and
wonderfully made"-will endure, but
when additional wrongs are attempted
to be practised upon him he rises in re-
volt, and nothing short of death or JUS
tice viii quiet the storm of Indignation
excited in his bosom.
The hearts of the Irish long bled
under their cruel persecution, but as
their relentless tyrants still tightened the
cords in their efforts to choke every as
piration of their victims for liberty, |
some bold steps were necessary for their
Before the trumpet of battle sounded
in their late struggles, bright example
arose on this side the waters to cheer |
the hearts of patriots, and showed to
the world that even when poverty and
were armed for liberty's de-
men joined hands and
hearts and swore fidelity to their coun-
try's cause-when they drew the sword
with the high resolve to strike while
was left to lift an arm for home,
for kindred, for loved ones and house
hold gods-the hired minions of despo-
tism could not always succeed in their
unholy efforts to trample justice under
foot, and march over the dead and
bodies of martyrs for liberty
to victory of tyranny over right.
We may well pause here for a mo-
ment to contemplate the effects OF our
war. Then it was
"Red battle stamped his foot, and nations felt
the shock"
The fires OF the American Revolution,
kindled with stamped paper and tea
boxes, shot up their bright flames to the
stars, and their sparks. waited to Eu-
rope by the returning breeze that
brought the embattled legions of haugh-
ty England to crush US, fell among the
rotten despotism of the Old World, and
brought on conhagration that has not
yet ceased its ravages.
Lafayette, obeying the noble prompt
ings of his pure ambition, left the splen-
dors of a Partisan court, tore himself
from all the endearments of home, and
came 10 consecrate the bloom of youth
full energies to the cause of liberty. He
returned with his brave compatriots to
his native France, and, after the thun-
ders of our revolution were hushed, a
Bourbon lost his head.
Our war-blast rang over Europe and
thrilled the bosoms of its chain CALLED
millions, awakening emotions and giving
birth to aspirations there dangerous to
despots. They had ''sowed the wind
and must reap the whirlwind" The
blood d-cemented pillars of their powers
were rocked to their deep foundations,
rivers of blood fertilized the Continent,
and monarchs paled with fear when
their ears were stunned with freedoms
loud battle-cry.
Kosciusko was here, and he carried
with him to his country the spirit of our
fathers. The Poles were again reani-
mated, and felt burning zeal for liber-
ty. They called this loved hero, who
wore fresh laurels, won on distant fields
of glory, to lead their hardy sons to bat
tIe They fought. but the blood that