The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-05
Gen. Corcoran's Reception.

The reception Of General Oorcoran in
New York was one Of the most enthusias
tic popular outpouriDgs evsr witnessed 10
America. His response to the Mayors
welcoming speech was as follows: .asr
Mr.. MAYoR: am oblighed to you, sir,
for this high honer--this kindly greeting.
which you have given me, on nv return to
my adopted city. 1t is now thirteen Years
since first set my foot upon this American
soil, and that was in the streets of New
York. [Applause. Since that time l
have taken the deepest interest 10 the well
fare Of this city, and l feel as proud as any
living man ever felt at its growing pros
perity. When this war was thrust upon
US, truly, was one of the first to leave this
city; bat, have ever, ever watched its
progress from afar. have watched from
the camp and from the prison, the generog~
ity OF it's citizens, and no living man ever
felt, or could feel, more proud than / did,
when saw the manner in which New Y ork
acquitted herself in this war. Applause I
Mr.. Mayor: You have truly said that
there has been an effort to shake the fidel.
ity of the Irish people. But that effort has
failed. Applause. Sir, the souls of the
Irish people are true to American institu,
tions. Applause. Sir, wherever there
exists an Irishman to-day--wherever he
can speak his sentiments without molesta.
tion-he will be found to support our ma
tional institutions and government. App
plause. And, cir, permit me to say that
l do feel proud-proud, indeed, sir, that the
lot has been cast to me-that have been
called upon to prove my fidelity to my PEG.
pie and nation, and to this country, Zap.
plause, and that God gave me strength to
do it and bear up under it. Enthusiastic
cheers and cries Of "You did it" "Good for
you," "Hurrah for Corcoran," &c Mr..
Mayor, l am heartily aware, sir, of my IN.
worthiness to receive this high honor and
public reception by this great city; az
honor that is usually conferred only upon
distinguished characters. have nothing to
distinguish me except my fidelity to the Union
and my willingness to lay down my lite for
the maintenance of the institutions under
which we live, [applausel and, be persua-
ded, sir, that as much devotion as | can
bring will be given as the public servant
willing to put myself 10 your hands Ito
come among you not to tarry and to talk,
but to work---to 60 again to the battles
field and return, il return l do, to find this
city as free and happy as it was when l first
sew it. [Applause,l trust peace shall,
together with victory, perch upon our ban.
ners; that the Union shall be preserved the
same as when first put foot on this soil;
that we shall be zone and inseperable." OF
my fellow citizens OF Irish birth am proud
that they have done so much in the contest
They are willing to do their duty and they
will do their duty. l have only to say that
there are men willing to fight with me.
Voices, "we will,'' and great applause.
l know there ere some. am obliged, sir,
to leave you Tomorrow to bring back to
you the Sxty>nintb, which has taken such
noble part jn this war, Icheersl and WHO
will, trust, again take the field with their
Ole commander ct their head.
The Chaplain-And the chaplain, too.
Cheers and laughter.
Gen. Corcoran-Y Yes, aud the chaplain,
too; ought to have remembered that. But,
my friends are anxious 10 see me, and as l
believe l am to have an opportunity during
the afternoon to express my thoughts where
they can be more clearly uttered and better
understood, viii! close, sir, by again thank
ing you for the high honor you have paid
me. can only reiterate my willingness to
give my services 10 the uttermost--to lay
down my life-tor the maintenance of the
Union and to support the Constitution
Thunders of applause.]