Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-08
Srlette0 Mllstellanp.
The Hest speech Yet.

We copy the following account of an inter
estng incident which occurred at the mass war
meeting held in New York on Wednesday last,
from the New York Herald. There is pract-
cal eIoqueuce in MICHAEL CURRAN's speech which
should find a response in every patriotic heart:
TaE MAN OF THE MASS MEErING-MCHAEL CUR
RES, THE cARMAS.
The representative man of the great mass
meeting, held at the City Hall Park on Wednes
day, was no distinguished General or eloquent
orator, but plain Michael Curran. the carman.
The meeting was designed to be both practical
and patriotic While the fiery speeches of Gen
erals already distinguished IN the field, and of
civilians who have lsbOred hard for the Union
cause, will not soon be forgotten, and while the
return Of the gallant 69th incident which
added greatly to the force and effect of the meet
ing. still the circumstances which will make the
gathering most memorable, and which best en-
bodies 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
1rishman, 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
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 lamp post and Joined the crowd
around the speakers stand He heard the brief
stirring, practical orations of the practical men
who addressed the meeting He saw the 69th
regiment march past, led by the brave General
COTcOran, and its ranks filled with soldiers who
have finished two terms of service only to vol
unteer for a third. He listened to Gen. Corco
rams 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 a country which had done much
for him, and to aid in supporting Government
which had given him home, employment, comfort
and security. The more he heard and saw, the
stronger this conviction became, and somehow or
other it soon connected itself with the thought of
a little hoard OF one hundrhd 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, some family ne
cessity shOdld 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 his country. But as he
reflected his duty became more clear and all other
considerations insignificant. just as the meeting
dispersed he pushed his way to the platform,
stood before his fellow citizens in his shirtsleeve
and told them that he poor man. that all he
had in the world he had earned bv the sweat OF
his brow. that his sole possessions were his horse
and cart and hundred dollars in silver at home;
that he could not sleep that night without doing
something to save the Union. and that now, with
free heart and willing hand, he offered all his
savings. which no specie premiums could pur-
chase, TO aid in the recruiting OF the Corcoran
brigade This simple. manly speech touched
chord which all the eloquent OratiOns had missed
Michael Curran came to the meeting on his cart
He left it in triumph the shoulders of his cheer
ing cOuntrymen.
In the evening Curran came down to our Of
fee to fulfill the promise he had made at the
meeting His face beamed with patriotism; he
clanked down on our desk bag of silver, and
asked Us TO take care of it for the COrcoran Le-
giOn. DE would not give it 70 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 70 give it all-and only wished he had
more to give-tO the country. We could do
nothing with the honest fellow but receive the
money; and yesterday morning dispatched
the bag Of silver to Gen. COrcOran. At first the
General was 10th to take from Curran all his lit
tie savings. but on second thoughts sat down and
rapidly wrote the following capital letter:
AsroR House., NEw YoRK, Aug. %, 1862.
MICHAEL CURRAS, Esq, lis Orchard street, n ew
York:
MY VERY DEAR SIR-The editor of the New
York Herald has this day handed me one hun
dred dollars in specie, informing me that it was
placed in bis possession by you for my use. Ny
first impulse was to return the amount to you. as
felt that your generosity was greater than yoer
means could afford; but second thought has
made me conclude to accept the sum, that it may
stand as a perpetual testimonial of your devotion
% the sacred cause in which We are all engaged
-as a lasting evidence Of the sacrifices which
adopted citizens are prepared 10 make for the
land of their adoption, and of the pride which
Irishmen feel in showing the loyalty Of their
race 70 the institutions which have afforded them
liberty, protection, and happiness
All our citizens are now doing well, and to
those who are lnkewarm or slow yOur example
must stand as a Just and striking rebuke. Per-
haDs all your earthly means are thus voluntarily
rendered 70 me for the holy cause, and | should
be gratihed If others would be thus induced to do
likewise.
Accept my heartfelt thanks. and allow me to
remain, very sincerely, your friend,
MIcHAEL CoRcoRAS, Brig Gen.
This NAV end the affair. as far a. Michael
Curran IS concerned. He will lose nothing b, the
gift with which he has purchased a long dis.inc-
ton OF honor for himself and his children. The
letter of General Corcoran, framed and hung in
his little parlor, and the remembrances of manv
of those who heard bis speech or read his record
Of his offering, viii perpetuate the incident for
years and years. But is this the end of the mat.
ter with the publc9 Is there no one who will
follow poor, patriotic Curran's exampIe1 There
are many of our citizens who roll in their car.
riages who have not done as much for the Union
as this carmaa whose carriage Is his cart There