The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-03-29

light of heaven first blessed my infant view,
and nature breathed into my infant heart
that ardor for my country which nothing but
death can chill.
1t cannot be denied that Ireland was once
land in which all the sciences and arts were
! cultivated-the very relics of her once famed
seminaries, though long since laid PROSTATE
by the hand of the destroyer, are yet SO
many memorials of Ireland's former great
ness. He then alluded in very eloquent
strain to the departed orators, poets, states
men and warriors. We are unable to give
but a very imperfect sketch of Mr.. Murphy's
speech owing to the want of room.
Fiji. The United States of America, our
adopted country, may the fundamental prin
ciples of its glorious charter ever remain I'M
furnished as transmitted to us by the veter-
ans who lived in times which tried mems
souls.
Mayor Ramsey being loudi; called lor
responded to this toast in very eloquent
and patriotic manner: He said he felt high
ly complimented in being called upon to res
pond to this sentiment. Other nations call
ed us a vain glorious people, but lie chal-
lengcd them to point to a country that pos
fsessed more liberal government than this,
or country that exceed it in extent of Tet-
rltoris or in respect to its intellectual or
moral developments. Mayor Ramsey spoke
at some length but want of space prevents
us from giving his remarks in full.
The Siaah. Toast was to the Memory of
Washingtoh-drank in solemn silence.
Seventh. To the memory of the late Daniel
O'Connell- in silence.
Eighth. The Governor of Minnesota-the
fearless defender Of tic rights of the people
against tyranny and oppression.
Mr.. E. .Ames being called upon, said it
would be presumptive in Linn to make long
address after the cloquence displayed by
those who spoke before him. He thought it
was meet that the Sons of Ireland should as
semble to commemorate not only st. Patricks
day but the memory of Ireland-in thought
and in feeling to make pilgrimage to the
tombs Of Emmett and his compatriots of 1913
whose lives were sacrificed upon the altar of
their country's freedom by the unrelenting
tyranny of British power, exercised through
that profigate monarch and despot-George
the Fourth. Long did Ircland's Patriot
bands withstand the serried ranks of Brit
tains armed hosts-and even now she was
not conqured. He believed it would be as
impossible to conquer Ireland as it would be
to turn the waters of the Mississippi into the
Red River of the North, and he hoped the
day was not far distant when Ireland would
throw off the yoke which had so long bound
her down and become one of the brightest
stars in the galoxy of freedom.
Ireland had her statesmen, too, her poets,
and her warriors who were seconed to none
in the world, and although she had no local
Legislature still she had national statesmen
The speaker then alluded at some length to
the career of Gov. German while in Mime
sofa, also his exploits on the battle fields Of
Mexico.
His speech was frequently interrupted by
loud applause.
Ninth. The Mayor of St. Paul the worthy
representative of it's citizens.
This toast was responded to by Mr.. Heard
he spoke well and to the point.
Tenth. The Press, the terror of evil doors,
when conducted by honorable and high mind
ed men, it is blessing to society and the
foe of tyranny whether exercised by clques
tr by the mob.
Mr.. Owens, of the Minnesotan was called
upon to respond. After referring to the nu-
merous crosses editors had to bear-tempor-
arily sreaking-and adverting to the fact,
that Notwithstanding all this, there were
some green spots in the desert of an editors
days, of which this was one, he proceeded
to remark that, unlike Gov. German, he was
not only not "aU Irish," but he had not a
drop of Irish blood in his veins-to the best
of his knowledge and belief But, at the
same time, it was his solemn conviction that
had his father not been bord in the cold
country" he (the speaker) would never ha, E
been born at all
He claimed as his paternal ancestor man
who was native of certain mountain fast
nesses Oh the western coast of England, into
whose recesses neither Saxon nor Norman
king ever set foot except at their peril for
more than a thousand years after the inva-
sion of the island by Julius Caesar. Finally,
one of the Plantaganet Kings of England,
Edward l, played out little piece of "Scul-
duggery'' (blarney) upon the Welsh people,
by having his eldest son born within their
dominions-and this s'knocked Them" 3
After some further brief remarks, Mr.. O.
concluded by offering the following senti-
ment: -.
Ame,rcans.-It matters not what cline or
country may claim their birthright-give US
true Americans in Free America-natiye or
foreign born, let us have Americans in heart,
Americans in soul, and Americans in prin-
ciple.
!: Etev;aah:: The Patriots of '9s-bold and
fearless champions for the independence of
their native land; the sacred cause bequeath-
ed by them yet lives with their descendants.
Mr.. McGrorty was called out, and replied
in eloquent and spirited terms He spoke of
the sacrifices of the martyred heroes of '9S,
with small and scattered forces had with
stood, without any concert of action, the
overwhelming power Of British tyranny. In
the course of his remarks he stated that he
bad often been asked why If was that irish