Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-30
Ths Grsot IrIsh Demonstration,

Note has been made by telegraph Of The
great meeting held in Dublin on the 9th
inst, to take into consideration the con-
tition Of Irish national affairs with refer
ense to the difficulties between England
and America. by the arrivals Of the
mails We have fall particulars Of the meet
ing, and give some extracts from the report.
The chairman, o. DonOghue, NJ. p, said;
Now, think the time has arrived for
testing whether Ireland has right 10
shape her course, with view exclusively
to her own interests -(hear)-Whether she
has . right to think, speak and act for her
self, and whether Irishmen are fit to be the
guardians Of English honor. Now, / be-
lieVe such an opportunity never occurred
before, and fear such an opportunity can
never occur again, and find so many mil
lions Of Irishmen as can yet be found in
this island-of true Irishmen, mean
lcheers) animated with that indomitable
spirit which, for more than six hundred
years, has refused to soquieso) in foreign
domination. Hear, hear
America has ever been the fast friend Of
ireland, and it is for US now to consider
whether We shall best oonsultou honor and
our interest-Whether We shall best eVince
our gratitude by contributing men or money
for the purpose Of destroying American
commerce, Of bOmbarding American cities,
and humiliatiDg the American flag.
As an Irishmsn and friend of America,
I am against the English Government or
the English people stepping in to settle the
dispute by attempting TO annihilate the
Northern States. Hear, hear and loud
applause.)
Mr.. J. P. Smith said:
But if it should happen-if war arose
between England and America, in that case
he would be justified in saying that Irish.
men throughout the globe would recognize
in America a nation that had befriended
them tremendous cheers that has open
ed to them a hospital refuge, that had in
vested them with all the rights and priyil-
eyes Of the most ennobling citizenship in
the world, entRiling no other condition than
the simple declaration that they renounCed
allegiance to every foreign king and poten-
tate, especially TO the sovereign Of Great
Britain. Loud cheers 0R the other
side they would see the nation that had
leveled their homes and sent their ooun-
trymen outcasts throughout the world that
denied to them even now the ordinary
rights of mRnhood-the right to arm
which was freely given to the people of
England and Scotland.
The English press never ceased to vilify
the government Of America. England
looked for an easy victory over the North
ern States; rather let her be prepared to
encounter the Nemesis of seven centuries
Of misrule, for in every part Of America
we're men Of Irish parents; and though
they may be srrayed at different sides In
domestic auarrels, there was not an irish
man in America who would consent to be
the ally of England. (Cheers.) England
looked to Canada, perhaps; prObobly there,
too, she reokoned without her host. There
we're Irishmen and Frenohman (which was
just as bad) in Canada. (Cheers.) She
looked to Ireland perhsps-(a voice: "she
won't get her )-but let her contemplate
that vast mass Of men who followed to the
grave, the other dsy, the remains of man
who lived and died rebel. (Great cheer
ing)
the oft repeated lesson of Daniel o COnnell.
(Cheers) She would not permit that, in
view Of these great events, her sons shall
be divided; she would assume her natural
attitude, cher back to Britain, her face to
the West"
Mr.. NJ. A. 0'BrennRn said:
They were bound 10 sympathise with the
struggle Of America IS an united people,
Fl. because millions of their countrymen were
there, either themselves or their children,
and they we're trained to the use of arms.
| (Great cheering).
Mr.. Hopper said that he would wish the
government Of England to know that the
people Of Ireland had no sympathy with
them in their war against America. They
had been told that they we're dWindling
away consequent upon the new system Of
English government. When imprisonment
snd the gibbst had not their proper effect
/ the plan was discovered Of starving the
| people and OF hunting them out Of the
land. (Great cheeriBg) He knew that
all present at that meeting were Of the
right sort-true hearts-tIus lrishmen-
foes to England and the English race.
tremendous cheers, and cries Of I'VE are,
We sre.")
Other speakers followed in similar strain,
the feeling of the meeting being wholly
with the American side Of the question.