The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-03-30

But in our love and pride for our adopted
home, we must not forget our affection for
the sunny shores and green hills Of our
native land.
To-day is the National anniversary Of
Irishmen-a race as ancient and pure as
any in Europe; with strong and decided
national characteristics, which have clung
to them with but slight notifications,
through many centuries.
The Irish character at home is a sealed
book to all but Irishmen.
Coming in contact with few foreigners
on their native soil, except their national
oppres8ors, who for generations back have
sought their confidence h,t to betray them.
Extremely sensitive to wrong. yet grateful
for kindness; they have received 80 little
of the latter, and so much of the former,
from their rulers, they have found them
selves 50 powerless to cast off the yoke
that power has put upon them, that they
have been taught the necessity Of conceal
ment, and the hiding Of the heart from the
Decorating eyes Of power, that would pen
citrate its secrets only to outrage its holiest
sympathies and aspirations. But to the
ri,hman whose sympathies are with his
country who feels her wrongs, lament5
her follies. and shares in the common atfec
tons and prejudices of her children, the
Irish character has no concealments.
Industrious, yet not coyetous-for our
most bitter foes viii never claim that in
dolence and avarice are among our nation
al vices Frugal, yet improvident, for the
Irshman's quick sympathies and impul-
sive generosity leads him frequently to
give away today what he earned yesterday
by the sweat of his brow, and what to-
morrow he may require for his own wants.
lie is generally better friend to Others
than himself
Recklessly brave, yet never cruel, the
history of every civilized nation OF
modern times has received glorious pages
written with Irish valor and Irish blood ;
and none arc stained with Irish crime
And today there are no greater names IN
the military history OF the present century
than those Of Irishmen. We have but to
mention WELLINGroS, the Victor Of Wa
terloo; Lord CARDIG ~, who, IN the Crl-
mean war, charged through Division OF
$4,000 Russians with but o0o h'sht ORA
goons;-to MarshaIs MCDONALD and NEIL,
Of the French Army IN Italy; and OF Gen.
O'DoSsELL, the leader of the Spanish
forces against Morocco. These are among
the more distinguished; but the rank and
file are filed with many thousands more
of our compatriots equally brave and chiv-
alrous.
But it is as Orators and Poets that Irish
mon have been more particularly distin-
guished. In the field of Or"tory she can
show more great names than any other
people. Full of imagination, sentiment,
passion, and having an innate love for all
that is beautiful to the eye or ear, even
the untauch, Irish peasant is an uncon-
cious poet; and the expression Of his i'm
promptu thoughts and feeling, often con-
taiDs the most beautiful imagery-the most
sublime aspiration-though wanting the
musical rhyme and correct measure of
verse; and our beautiful superstitions and
ancient traditions, all prove as to be po-
etjcal and religious people.
rerret, Mr.. President, that I should
have had 50 little to prepare for this occa-
sion; for claiming to be true Irishman,
feel in the subject an inspiration that |
am sure would have enabled ne to have
presented to you something moro worthy
your consideration, could | have but been
neralitted the time for preparation.
But though claiming all the sympathies
and feelinos that belong to US as a nation
-nossessinc all the national faults, and l
hope some of the national virtues, I have