The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-29
The Man or tho Mass Meetfng-rlichael
Curr1n, the Carman.

The representative man Of the great mass
meeting, held at the City Hall Park on We'd
nesday, was no distinguished general or eio-
quent orator. but plain Michael Curran, the
carman. The meeting was designed to be
both practical and patriotic, and it developed
at least ore practical patriot. While the fiery
speeches of generals already distinguished in
the field, and of civilians who have labored
hard for the Union cause, will not soon be for
gotten, and while the return OF the gallant
Sixty-ninth was an incident which added great
ly TO the force and effect of the meeting, still
the circumstance which will make that gather
ing most memorable, and which best embodies
at once the spirit, the purpose, the result and
the lesson OF the affair, is the appearance and
example Of that honest, loyal, simple hearted
Irishman, Michael Curran, the carman, who
laid all his hard earned savings upon the altar
of his adopted country.
Michael Curran is an Irishman by birth and
a New York carman by profession. Hearing of
the meeting to be held on Wednesday, he
stopped work early that day, drove his cart to
the Park, tied his horse to . lamppost, and
joined the crowd around the speakers stand
He heard the brief, stirring, practical orations
Of the practical men who addressed the meet
ing. He saw the Sixty-ninth regiment march
past, led by brave General Corcoran, and its
ranks filled with soldiers who have finished
two terms OF service only to volunteer for q
third. He listened to General Corcoran's
soldierly appeal for men and means. And as
he heard and saw, the conviction forced itself
into his honest heart that it was his duty to do
something for country which had done so
much for him, and to aid in supporting go
vernment which had given him home, employ
ment, comfort and security. The more he
heard and saw, the stronger this conviction
became, and somehow or other it soon connect
ed itself with the thought of little hoard of
one hundred dollars-the sole savings of the
honest earnings of many long week-which
he had at home, snugly slowed away against
some rainy day, when sickness or accident
should prevent his working, or some family ne
cessity should require an extra outlay What
the poor widow of Scripture thought before she
gave her mite to the poor, this poor carman
thought before he gave his mite to bis country.
But as he reflected his duty became more clear
aud all other considerations Insignificant. Just
as the meeting dispersed he pushed his way to
the platform, stood before his fellow citizens in
his shirtsleeves, and told them that he was
poor man thatall he had in the world he had
earned by the sweat of his brow that his sole
possessions were his horse and cart and a hum
dred dollars in silver at home that he felt that
he ala kbrk :~kk 4 "a
something to save the Union, and that now,
with free heart and willing hand, he offered all
his savings which no specie premiums could
purchase, to aid in the recruiting Of the Corco-
rau brigade This simple, manly speech touch
ed chord which all the eloquent oratons had
missed. Michael Curran came to the meeting
on his cart. He left it in triumph on the shout
ders OF his cheering countrymen.
In the evening Curran came down to our Of
fee to fulfil the promise he had made at the
meeting. His face bcamed with patriotism ; he
clanked down on our desk bag of silver, and
asked us to take care OF it for the Corcoran Lee
gion. He wonld not give it to Gen. Corcoran
himself he said; for then the public might think
him and his offer humbug. He would not de-
duct from the sum the premium on silver; for
he wished to give It all-and only wishes he
had more to give-to the country. We could
do nothing with the honest fellow but receive
the money; and yesterday morning we de-
spatched the bag Of silver to General Corcoran.
At first the General was 10th to take from Cur
ran all his little savings, but on second thoughts
sat down and rapidly wrote the following CAPT
tai letter.
Aston HOUSE,, New YORK August %, 1869.
MICHAEL CuRaAy, ESQ., IT'S Orchard street, New York
My VERY DEAR siR-The editor tho New YORK HERAID
has this day handed hundred dollars specie in
forming that placed in his possession BY you for
my My first impulse to return tbs amount you
ms felt that your generosity greater than your
could afford but second thought has made me
conclude accept the sum, that II may stand per-
petua testimonial Of your devotion to the sacred in
which all engaged-as a lasting evidence OF the
sacrifices which adopted citizens prepared to make
for the land of their adoption, and Of the pride which
Irishmen ec in showing the loyalty Of their to tho
institutions which have afforded them liberty protection
and happiness.
All our citizens dong well, and 70 those who
lukewarm slow your example must stand just
and striking rebuke. Perhaps all your earthly
thus voluntarily rendered to for the holy cause and
should be gratied others would be thus Induced do
likewise.
Accept my heartfelt thanks, and allow to remain,
Very sincerely, your friend
MICHAEL CoICORAN
Brigsdisr General.
This may end the affair, as far as Michael Cur
ran is concerned. He will lose nothing by the
gift with which he has purchased long distinc-
ton of honor for himself and his children. Tho
letter Of General Corcoran, framed. and hung in
bis little parlor, and the remembranccs Of many
of those who heard his speech or read this record
of his Offering will perpetuate the incident for
years and years. But is this the end Of the
matter with the public Is there no
one who will follow poor, patriotic Curran's
example? There are many Of our citizens