Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1856-04-27
TIE IRIsH IN AMERICA.

4
following which nsy be looked upon As the editor
sslntatory;
| TIE IRIsH IN AMERICA.
Chstesubrisud in ais beautiful Memoirs, speskins
OF the foreign names TO be found on the map ofth,
United States observes that the oppressed CT every
! country have brought hther their memories snC
| Affections.
Dissgreesas peop,e may about il, the fact is So
Prohibit and condemn il, the fact TO the conclusion
OF the chapter viii be 50. No nation forgets its
past 10 glory or tribulsuon, in captivity or free
dom, the recollection Of it suryives-becomes tbe
theme OF ;riumphs ode or loving IsIaentation, the
Inspiration OF revolution monumental art the -ro.
nance OF history or military daring r
6reece r,sss IN the midst of her trznscendeut
ruins, centuries after Der fleet had rotted in the
Il gean, and the philhpics Of fDsmos.henes had beeu
transferred to distant cOls ges and the ieid of Ma
rathon haG been sold for lew pssters.
So too, with Poland, the kIngiest of kingdoms,
with the sumptuous chilvsry OF her camp, and the
inextinguishable pety Of her affairs Sobeski dies
KosciusrKo dies. Yet when the worms have been
busy with them for years, when Poland, they saw
has suited her last throb for reedcm in the folds Of
her red winding sheet; when all Europe is asleep;
just then is heard, aong the Csrpathian base, and
through the startled courts, senates and streets of
E rope, the cry of-Polsnd is in srmst
Thus with other nations. Thus with those who
have suffered most-had most reason to bow their
head and accept their fate 10 deep despair-or in
their agony mutter eontrite words to pFooitiate
their crucheTs. e ia
Is it strange, that to this grand lesson the Irish
race should present. No sbject contrast? Strange.
that even here, in the midst of plenty, in the tul
fruition of the largest liberty with many blessings
to sooths the quick prompings of revenge long
bsfasd or of hope deceived, they should still think
ardenLly of ths land, from which, sorsy pressed by
poverty or scared by famine, they have aed, or
striking for the rights and lame Of which. they
have been routed, prescribed, and driveD7
1t would argue poorly for their loyalty 20 the
Commonwealth in which they have settled down.
if the propItious change in their government and
fortunes were to sap their first love, efsce the ric-
lures of home and the story Of their fathers eav-
ing their memory confused canvass from which
the grand impressions made by nature had been
blotted out The preservation of these memories
and affections is not only natural inevitable, full
OF beauty, but unequiYocally compatible with all
the duties and liabilities the oath citizenship pro-
Vides and sancti6es. ....
Especially of the Irish in America Is this trus
since the recollections most dearly treasured bv
our race, are those which Intimately associate
themselves with the resistance to the Stamp Act.
the reyerses and endurance ofthe army of the DsIa
ware, the guerillss of Marion, the funeral urn of
the pure eloquence and connDsct loO
c of Calhoun, the stern words and fierce successes
Of old Jackson. Resistance to England, haired of
her intolerance defiance of her power, these are
recoileciions and virtues common to the citizens |
Of America, and the emigrants of Ireland. Woud |
that with similar hopes and suferings, thew bad |
equal victories to celebrated
Nor does the perpetuation of the sentiments and |
"reminiscences we bring from home concur merely |
with our good faith, duty, and devotion to the /
Republic. II deepeus that devotion and into q /
high ambition translates the sense of duty.
Be itin the workshop at the pres, in the pulpit.
q the field OF letters, administering great public |
trusts in toe commercial world, confirming them in
he halls legislation, extending them in adventurous
ships upon the sea, or with the sword defending |
hem at the gates and highways of the Republic. |
he lrishmsn well knows, that bis conduct will re.
1ound to the cuedt of, or reflect sneers and odium
IN, the land OF lis ancient home. For better or for
worse for psneeyric or reproach, he is an Irish
nan, tie world over, and will be spoken ofas such.
This conviction stimulates his republican life. II |
oath of citizenship. Far more
strongly than this oath it impels MIN, truthfully
md generously, TO scqult himself to the eonstitu-
ion, which, on the brusdest scale, relics the free
lom that has been his 6tiui dream at home
The world has heard OF Patrick Ssrsfield. Hardly
meeting Of Irishmen takes place where that
lame is not q thrilling invocation. He fought in
reland and sitter the capituiation of Limerick left
{ for perpetual exile. Entering the service of
Iouis the Fourteeuih-piedging him the soldiers
'sth-he fought tEFough the siege of Namurs and
ne campaign of Flanders. Made q marshal, he
lies at Landen, heading his eountrymen in the van
# victory, as Davis tells us.
His last thoughts were for his country. As be !
sy on the field, uahelmed and dying, he put his
and to his breast. When he took it away, it was
oil Of blood. Looking at il sadly, with an eye in
which victory shone sn1onlent before be said faint
y-"Oh, that this were Tor Ireland
To peipetuate the memories winch thus incite 70
great career, and then crown il with sublime
rsyer OF flal love; and whilst all that is good and
Feeious in the past IS treasured and kept bright,
o chronicle so Tar as N W. lies, tue sayings and
oings, the struggles aud snceesses OF the Irish in
America, and elsewhere sbrOad--ths is the duti al
nd happy service 10 which We devote ourselves
his day, and from this day ont