The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-13
THE "NEW sIxTY.NINTH.n
GREAT IRISH FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK.
Speech Of Capt. Thomas Francis Mea-
CHER.

| From, the Commercial Aduertiser of Frddv.
Never in the history of this classic resort,
Jones' Wood, has crowd so large and so
enthusiastic been gathered within its sacred
precincts, as yesterday. The day was died.
icated to the honor of the gallant Sixty.
Ninth, to the accumulation of fund for
its widows and orphans, and to the general
hilarity of that gay and rollicking class Of
population, ordinarily known as"the Irish"
Yesterday, if never before, our Irish friends
showed that they could meet in enormous
masses and yet preserve the peace. There
were fun and noise and scrimmages," but
no harm was done.
Indeed, Hibernia was out for a Jubilee,
and rare old time it had. Jones' Wood
was full. From the fence to the river, ev.
cry square rod had its occupants. Young
Ireland was out in full force. At least
thirty thousand persons were present, and
large sum must have been realized. Dam
cling was the order of the field everywhere
the fiddle was heard, and everywhere the
zig" was in progress.
The prominent event of the day was the
speech Of Captain Thomas Francis Mea-
CHER, an eloquent, patriotic and manly ap-
peal for the Union, for the country, and to
the duty of our Irish citizens. Want of
space forbids the publication of the speech
entire, and we therefore subjon "a few ex-
tracts. Mr.. Meagher said
There are eyes clouded and gushing with
bitter sorrow in the desolation of spirit, in
homes where winter has settled in the re-
NTH of summer, while we stand here blessed
and gladdened with all the warmth and
RIGHTEOUSNESS, with all the promises and
fruittulness of this propitious hour and con.
secrated scene; and there are little hearts
that have grown big and heavy in darken-
ed rooms, waiting and praying for footsteps
which once were cheerier to them than the
songs of the bird which greets the rising
sun, but which shall never wake again the
echoes of the expectant house. In the
name, for the sake, 10 tenderness and com.
passion, in proud regard and duty to those
whose husbands and fathers, fighting in the
ranks OF the SiXty>ninth, were slain in the
battle, sealing their oath of American citi-
zenshp with their blood-whose doorWays
are now hung with blacklist mourning, and
whose table miss the Industrious hands that
once furnished them with bread-in the
name of the widowed homes of the dead
soldiers of the Sixty ninth, we, who claim
| -,
they we're the poorest of the earth, would
be prouder of them than the haughtiest
princes are of their ancient diadems and
domains.
But what of the cause in which our
countrymen fell that day? Was it urgent,
was it just, was it sacred? Never was
there cause more urgent, more just,
more sacred. The assertion of the Nations
al authority, derived, as it is, from the free
wills and votes of majority Of the citizens
the conservation in its integrity of that
magnificent expanse of country over which
common constitution has thrown its
gates OF which common treasury has
planted forts and custom houses, and the
flag which no foreign hand as yet has ques-
toned with impunity, the enforcement of
the laws6 Congress, the sworn compact of
the States, the inviolabiity of the ballot
box, and the decisions that proceed from it,
the sancity of the official oaths, the &C.
countability of the public servants, the
most precious fruits of the Revolution, the
claims of posterity, the progress of Democ-
racy, its consolidation and ascendancy, the
glory of the New World. Behold the
cause in which those lives were offered up
Will the Irshmen of New York stand
by this cause, resolutely, heartily, with in
exorable fidelity, despite of all the sacrifices
it may cost, despite of all the dangers into
which it may compel them, despite of all
the bereavements and abiding gloom it may
bring upon such homes as may this day
miss the industry and love of the dead SOL
diers of the Goth, but in some measure to
console and succor which the festivities of
this day have taken place. For my part
ask no Irishman to do that which myself
am not prepared to do. My heart my arm,
my life, is pledged to the national cause,
and to the last it will be my highest pride,
as conceive it to be my hottest duty and OBJ
legation, to share its fortunes. l care not
to what party the Chief Magistrate of the
Republic has belonged. l care not upon
what plank or platform be may have been
elected. The platform disappears before
the constitution, under the injunction of the
oath he took on the steps of the capitol the
day of bis Inauguration.
The party disappears in the presence of
the nation, and as the Chief Magistrate,
duly elected and duly sworn, is bound to
protect and administer the national proper.
ty for the benefit of the nation, so should
every citizen concur with him in loyal and
patriotic action, discarding the mean per-
suasions and maxims of the local politi
clans, and substituting the national interest,
the national efficiency, the national honor,
for the sel6shness, the huckstering or the
vengeance of party. To me, at all events,
the potency of the national government, the
honor and glory of the national flag, are of
infinitely higher value than the Regency at
Albany, the Tammany Wigwam, Mozart
Hall, or the Pewter Mug. Nor shall out
cries on behalf of the liberty of the press,
| ar the liberties and immunities of the citi