The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-09-06
From the Nep York World, 30h ult
Eloquent and Patriotic Speech on the
War, by Thomas Francis Meagher.

Yesterday was gala day for our Celtic
population. At an early hour they began
to appear at Jones Wood, to see and to
parlici pate in the sports of the grand fes
tival given for the benefit Of the widows
and orphans of those who fell in the ranks
of the Sixty ninth at Bull Run. During
the morning and early in the afternoon
the number continued rapidly increasing,
until it was estimated that from fifty to
sixty-five thousand people were on the
ground. At II o'clock the exultant pleas
ure seekers began to indulge in the Terp-
sicborean art, and continued the Statutory
exercise, by detachment, during the day.
Also the gymnastic apparatus, the spring
constant use, while the numerous beer
booths and shops in the enclosure were
constantly the centres of as many eager
crowds.
At o'clock, Captain Thomas Francis
Meagher appeared on the ground with
| Mayor Wood and the committee of ar
rangements, and was greeted with the
most enthusiastic applause, which, in a
Celtic assembly consists not only of cheers
but of a continued series of shouts, tenn
pest like waving of hats and rushing
forward of each particular individual with
deliberate intention to shake the hand
of the coming parsonage. Capt. Meagher
finally reached the stand, however, aud
being introduced by Judge Connoly, spoke
as follows:
He commenced with a glowing exordi-
UNI, and paid brilliant tribute to the
memory of Captain Haggerty and those
others who fell in the Sixty ninth. After
speaking in terms of admiration of, and
devotion to the Federal cause, he contin-
ued:
Will the Irishmen of New York stand
by this cause cries of 1--WE vii" res
olutely, heartily, with memorable fidelity,
despite of all the dangers into which it
may compel them, despite of the bereave-
ments and abiding gloom it may bring
upon such homes as this day miss the in
dustry and love of the dead soldiers of the
Sixty -ninth, but in some measure to cons
sole and succor which the festivities of
this day have taken place. Cries of
eyes, yes" For my part, [ ask no Irish
man to do that which myself am not pre-
pared to do [Cheers. 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 obligation, to share its fortunes.
Applause. ] care not to what party the
Chief Magistrate of the republic has be-
longed. Hear, hear.] l care not upon
what plank or platform he may have been
elected. The platform disappears before
the Constitution, under the injunction of
the oath he look on the steps of the Cap
itol the day of his Inauguration. Loud
cheers. The party disappears in the pres
ence of the nation applause and as
the CHEF magistrate, duly elected and duly
sworn, is bound to protect and administer
the national property for the benefit of the
nation, SO should every citizen concur with
him in loyal and patriotic action, discard
ing the mean persuasions and maxims of
the local politicians hear, hear, hear,
and substituting the national interests,
the national efficiency, the national hon or
for the selfshness, the huckstering, or the
vengeance Of a party. Enthusiastic
cheering.] To me, at all events, the po-
tency 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, Mo
Fart Hall, or the Petwer Mug Cheering
and laughter.
Nor shall outcries on behalf of the lib
erty Of the press, or the liberty and i'm
munities of the citizen, restrain me in the
active allegiance | owe the nation and it:
F executive, now that the rights and author
ity of both are jeopardized. Hear, hear
E hear The integrity Of the national do
main, the potency of the national govern
ment, the reputation of the national arms
the inviolabIity of that tranquil system O
election without which no popular govern
ment can have Legitimacy, consistency and
force-these considerations are far dearer
to me, and CAIN them to be of far more
vital consequences tn an the liberty to pro
mulgate sedition or the liberty to conspire
Great applause. Such liberties must
succumb to the demands of the crisis, the
public safety, the discipline and efficacy
of the army, aud the attitude of the re
volt. Hear, hear. Within the range
of the laws the police, the courts, the pro
prietes and interests of the community
let them have full swing in the days O
peace. Such days have their peculiar
sanctities-more than this, they have theil
recognized and favored abuses of popular
institutions and prerogatives and The
fieriest or foulest sheet that is scrubbed ir
the coal hole or the garnet, as well as thu
: most faithless citizen among us, may bt
permitted, the one to scatter broadcast
and the other to drop in crevices and cor
ners, the seeds Of disaffection against the
government, without the commonwealth
, mourning any detriment. Hear, hear.
But in time of war--aboye all in time o.
civil war-the supremacy of the governs
ment should be the sole object [loud
cheers and to this end martial law should
be The higher law, and the only one in I'm
disputed force. Applause.
Do [ not speak in the name Of the Irish
men Of New York-and they are counted
by tens of .housands-wh I speak these
sentiments, and declare in favor of these
rigorous butimperatve proceedings APP.
plause. Were | met with a negative,
eboul1 raunipJ NV, oo,rtrrr,op th To