Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-28
Speech Of Col Thomas Francis MeReher
mt the Mass Meeting, BROOKLYN, N. Y,


speech of Col. Thomas FrancIs meagher
MT the Mass Meeting, Brooklyn, N. Y,
October "a.
The speaker commenced by saying that in
compliance with very complimentary re.
quest, am here to participate with you, and
so far as ! am able, to ratify the nominations
of the people. After the lengthy discourse
we have listened to, feel it is unnecessary
for me to say that 1 am heart and soul, not
only with the objects, but with the spirit of
this meeting. 1t is the first occasion on
which have attended a ratification; have
not done SO because the nominations did not
proceed from the people, but from some hole
or corner, which corrupted the dignity of
the people. This should be reversed, and
instead Of the people accepting nominations
from obscure politicians, the obscure politi-
clans should accept the nominations from the
people. The speaker referred to Lamar-
tines words on the occasion of the French
Revolution, that we must look to the people
for the shaping the destinies of the nation.
The principal of this movement is devotion
to the Government in this hour of peril, and
a prosecution of this holy war. This being
so, sustain it with heart, brain and arms.
Not here merely, but upon the still dead
ler scenes which await me in the future.
[Applause.
This is sacred and Just war, because
this is the supremest nation the sun ever
shone upon. 1t is a necessary war, because
its property has been wrested in O nefarious
manner from its possession by the rebellious
subjects. The history of this war is familiar
to the whole people, and it is unnecessary for
me to glance at it. But the Governmen
would be sacrilegiously unmiudful of it.
bonds to the past, or its duty to the future, i
| it did not seek TO sustain itself. If this Gov
ernment did not stand out against this re-
haI1 IN In
out for peace2 War is indeed dreadful
visitation; it has been painted by the artist
| and the poet but war has its advantages
and its lessons. The speaker referred to
| English wars, and said they had been a
source of strength to England. Germany
had her thirty years war, and she stands in
a prominent position. France has bad her
revolutions, and has come out of them with
renewed beauty. Spain has also had her
wars, and no country to-day is rising with
more energy than she is. Here the war has
| had its good effect. 1t has brought out
patriotism and energy, which had been
dulled by the torpid touch Of sordid polti-
clans. l should be derelict if did not call
| upon my countrymen to sustain this Gov
ernment with all the nerve OF the Irish arm
and with all the warmth of the Irish heart.
| [CheeriDg] Politicians say, Why don't you
leave the Americans to fight out this war
| We Irishmen who are here are all Ameri-
cbns. Renewed cheering
Between the adopted and the native-born
citizen there is no difference except the pri-
vilege of the Presidency. This is my home;
this is my flag, and l feel that would be un-
| worthy of the welcome rendered to me here,
if l did not, with all the energy of my arm,
stand by that flag in life and in death. But
they say, Why are you not in favor of this
attempt at independence on the part of the
South, since you advocated a similar one in
Ireland? | tell you plainly, II Ireland was
an independent nation, and were Connaught
to rise up and secede, l would stand up il
the Irish Senate and vote supplies to pu
| down that rebellion. Whatever oath tht
citizen of the States may have taken, WI
Irish emigrants took an oath of allegiance Il
the whole and undivided country and as thai
oath should be perfect so should the country
be indissoiuble and perfect. With regard u
the triumph which this movement ha
! achieved in bringing the people iuto one com
pact mass, may refer TO q similar move
) ants were divided, and the Catholics wer
dsfranchised. In 1882 the Irish Catholic
and Protestants stood together, and tough
side by side. This example would hav
followed in this country.
In referring TO Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Meaghe
stigmatized him as the greatest criminal il
this struggle Not alone upon these hig
| RIOuuuS uO Slduu uoI6 Win JOui DuL upO
. that ticket are names which will stand i
competition with any in the country. 1t
enough for me to remind you that it
headed by Daniel s. Dickinson. Applause
Mr.. Meagher mentioned the names (
some Of the other candidates, passing hig
eulogies upon them. Such beirg the cor
sderations which this meeting is called upo
: to attend to, that the American G0vernmel
will be borne through its present struggle
this meeting receives my most hearty SUI
port. | renew my acquaintance with II
: citizens of Brooklyn, it being here that, te
years ago, was first received by them. Th
circumstance gives me hope while it az
. monishes rue of the peril of the Government
! Sustained by the hearts and arms Of tho
' around me, / believe this Government wi
, come triumphantly out of this struggle.
u believe the rebellion will be put down will
b out compromise. | am reminded that the
are the scenes of your forefsthers' disaster
and if, against formidable foe, those infaI
b colonies were victorious, it is not profane f
= me to say that God will stand by that fls
y until it shall float above united and an il
separable people. [Great applause