Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-09-12
Capt. Thos, Francis Meagher on
the War.

A few days since on festal occasion al
Jones' Woods, New York, got up for the
benefit of the widows and orphans of those
who fell in the ranks of the Sixty-ninth, at
Bull run, Capt. Thomas Francis Meagher
was called to the stand, and after speaking
in terms Of admiration of, and devotion to
the federal cause he continued:
VIII the Irishmen of New York stand by this
cause-[cries of 1--WE will, eve WILT resolute-
ly, heartily, with inexorable fidelity, despite of
ell the sacrifices it may cost, despite of all the
danger into which it may compel them, despite
of all the bereavements and abiding gloom it
may bring upon such homes as this day miss the
industry and love of the dead soldiers of the Six
ty-ninth, but in some measure to console and
succor which the festivities of this day have ia
ken place [Cries of eyes, yes,l For my part
l ask Irishman to do that which I myself am
not prepared to do. [Cheers.l Ny heart my
arm, my life, is pledged to the national cause,
and to the last it will be my highest pride, as I
conceive it to be my holest duty and obligation
to share its fortunes. Applause.
care not to what party the Chief Magis-
trate IF the Republic belonged. | care not
upon what pisnk or platform he ray have
been elected. The platform disappears be-
fore the Constitution, under the Injunction
of the oath whcb..he took on the steps of the
Capital the day of his inauguration. cheers
The party disappears in the presence of the
nation, and as Chief Magistrate duly elected
aud duly sworn, is bound to protect and ad-
minister the national property for the benefc
of the nation, SO should every citizen concur
wish him in loyal and patriotic action, dis
cardlng the mean persuasioRs and maxims
of the local politicians = hear, bear -and
substituting the national interests, the na-
tional honor, for the selfsbuess the huxter-
ing. or the vengeance of party. Enthusi-
astic cheering. To me at all events. lhe
potency Of the national government the
honor and glory of the national fag, are of
infinitely higher value than the Regency OF
Albany, the Tanmany Wigwam, M cart
Hall, or the pewter Mug Cheering and
laughter 'Nor shall out cries on behalf Of
the liberty OF the press, ur the liberties and
lmmunities OF the citizen, restrain me in the
theactiye allegiance | owe the nation and
its executive, now that the rights and au-
thority Of both are jeopardized. Hear, hear
hear The integrity of the national domain
reputation of the narioral ar rs, the inyiola
bility OF that tranquil system of election
without which no popular government can
have legitimacy, consistency and force
these considerations are far dearer to me-
and | can claim them to be lar more vital
consequences than the liberty to promulgate
sedtion or The liberty to conspire. TGreat
applause Such liberties must succumb to
the demands of the crisis, the public sfety,
the dioipline and efficacy OF the army. aad
the altitude of the revolt. Hear hear -
Within the range of the laws, the police, the
courts, the pl o9rieties and interest Of the
community, let them have full swing in the
days Of peace Such days have their pecu-
liar sanctiti9s more then this, they have
their recogD zed and favored abuses OF pop
ular institutions and prerogatves; and TIE
ferieSt or iouiest sheet that is scribbled in
the eoal-hole or the gaTret, as well as the
most faith.ess citizen among US, may be per-
mitted, the one 10 scatter broadcast, and The
other to drop in creyioes and corners, the
seeds of disafection against the government,
without the commonwealth incurripg any
deirlment. Hear, hear. But in time OF
war-above all ID time OF civil war-the SUI
premaey OF tie government should be the
sole object loud cheers and to this end
martial law should lie tie higher law, and
the only one in undisputed force. APPLAUSE
Who speaks about his rights as passenger
--abnut bis bag of money. his chest of books
and clothes, the Photographs of his wife and
children, his live stock or bales Of merchan-
dlze, when the steamship has met villa col
lision, threatens to go down, must be clear
ed OF every embarrassment ard dead weight |
and all hands are summoned to the rescue |
You know it we'll. | assert it without fear
Gtcontrad ctinn from any quarter and those |
who have had most latitude and impuniiy, I
were the irahk and gen ruus, would be the /
first to own ii. The uaional government has
suffered moro from the patience, the enen
cy, the magnanlmty il has practsed toward |
ics enemies, and those who are in syn patby
and league With them, than il has done from /
the Courage, the science, the fierce energy Of /
those vino have taken the field against il.
and VIGOROUSLY shaken the banner of revJJt I
and reputation in lis face. Cries of "hear
hear. The masked conspirators of the
NVrh arc Infinitely more or minal AMI mis-
cheyous than the bold and armed recusaut.
of the south renewed shouts of hear.
hear and Democrat as [ am-lenthusi-
astic caeers : spurning the Republicanism
of the Chicago Conventions as spurious
creed having no sympathies whatever with
The men in power, other than those which
should subsist between the citizen and his
government hear, hear, hear IL would
promptly and cordially approve of the se>
Veresf measures the President might adopt
to paralyze the treacbsrv which in this and
other cities. under varions liberal and bene-
fceat pretenses, has been. and is still at
wo k, to undermine and overthrow the legi-
innate msgestracy Of the nation. Enthu-
siastic cheers Do not seeak in the name
Ct the Irishmen Of New York-and they are
counted by ters Of thousands-wh | speak
these sentiments, and declare in favor of
these rigorous but imperative proceedings
Applause. Were met with negative, |
should remind my countrymen that the Eng
Iish aristoeracy-T Three groansI which is
the dominant class in England-to which
the navy the church, the army almost ex-
,lusiyely belong, and which is, ia fact, the
political opinion. the Parliament. the scep-
ire and the sword of Englsnd--G That's So
i should remind my countrymen that this
is arrayed against the govern
nent at Washington hear. hear land
bat as it was dead against the Revolution,
,ut Of which arose the liberties and nation
Ility Of the United States, so is it now in hot
ayor of the revolution which sets at nought
hose liberties, aud against that nationality
lirects a fra aricidal hlOw TShouts and