New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-08
RELIEF FOR STARVING IRELAND
Mass Meeting at the Academy-spccehcs by
Gen. Mcclellan, Mayor Opdyke, Arch
bishop Hughes, Judge DAILY, Richard
O,Gorman, John McKeOn, Mr. Mcighan,
VIM. Il. Robinson, Gen. Meaghcr, and
Iarncc GreeleI.
Horace Greeley.


The Knights Of St. Patrick, an Irish organization
but lately formed in this country appeared last even
ing before the people Of NewYork and the nation in
an effort most worthy Of their knightly name. For
the gaunt specter of Famine is stalking, grim and
CHASTITY, through the Green Island where lay the
bones Of their fathers, and is laying its hand Of
horror upon women AID little children OF their own
blood. IL was not strange therefore, tbat tho Acad
emy was crowded, nor that the meeting was most
earnest and enthusiastic.
Previous TO the commencement Of the meeting the
Harmonic Society, ranged upon the platform, sang
the patriotic hymn Hail TO our Nation,' sup
ported by the orchestra, Dodworths Band.
On the platform were a large number OF prominent
citizens, among them large number Of the Irish
clergy, Judges lpgrabarn, DAILY, and Brady, Aid.
Farley, and John McKeon.
The attention Of the audience was attracted TO
one Of the upper boxes by the President Of the
knights of St. Patrick, Mr.. Butler who called for
three cheers for Gen. Mcclellan. The whole house
and gave him warm reception. His very
small figure and Light yellow moastaehe and eye
browB hardly visible from tho parqnet and stage,
and so different from the representations on The
pictures, rendered him scarcely recognizable until
he bowed in recognition Of the applause. There
was a call for speech, and IN An address OF some
length,
the movement. He said he had departed from his
usual rue-to avoid vast assemblles-because he
knew that this had rsither party nor political pur
pose. Applause. "Bully for you'll He had
peculiar reasons for sympathizing with them; he
sprang from kindred race, and be had seen their
bravery in Mexico, Maryland, and Virginia. Re.
feuing to immigration, be said that what was Ire,
land loss had been our gain. Her soldiers in every
feld from those of the Revolution TO those of the
present sad Rebellion, had upheld the honor Of their
adopted country. tCheers. For generations, our
fathers bad worked 10 establish on this broad Con-
tnent ono nation, one free Government, that might
be the refuge for all from foreign lands He knew
that no expressed the thought OF every one who lis
tened when he said that all our energies, all our
thoughts all our minds If necessary, the last drop
of our blood must be given TO uphold that unity, that
nationality. Loud cheers. lie concluded by OK
pressing his thanks 10 the meeting, amid great ap-
plsuse.
The entrance Of Gen. Meagher was the signal for
an enthusiastic outburst of applause.
The meeting was called 20 order soon after 8
o'clock by Mr.. Butler, and Mayor Opdyke took the
chair, amid three cheers.
Mayor 0PDYKE expressed his qualification at being
called upon 10 preside at such meeting rs this
lie said that there was great want and imminent
danger OF starvation In Ireland. and this meeting
was called to do something toward ayerting that
dire calamity. New-York was always ready to re-.
spond to the call Of the suffering and In this the
So they were SO nearly allied TO 30 many Of
her own citizens.
The following gentlemen were selected as Vice.
Presidents:
The Hon. Edwin D. Morgnn Col Robert Nugsn, Robert J.
Dillon. e'q Henry Aosust esq, B0n; Judge Mccarthy
William ii. LvAGs esq, Hon. Wilson o. Hunt, Hon Judge
White. Joseph stewart esq PheliS Ingod.by C. H. sh,s
esq., A T. Stewart. esq. Edward Hart, Bryan Lswrsnce
Andrew Carsan. Matthew T. Brennan, Edward d. COuney
vhiL VIM. Kennedy, tho Presidents OF the vadou. .h So
oie'ei IN tnef Iegsa Patrick Doyle esq., Richard Emmett
Adds Emmet DIR. Robert Dillon John " Mshony
Capt. LYos then read the following
Address OF THE KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
We before this vast aeblsge tonight 10 appeal to
you ia which, though painful Is not Humiiating IL
the Of charity Another Of tLoas fearful periodical
casmitie' has fallen upon the people Of Ireland voice
hour Of dread necessity Shall not respond to with viii
ling hearts and liberal hands 1t Is TO Insure favorable
to this question that apply to your ypathea tho
For many month. past. The most terrible disrssa has pre-
vailed in many districts Of Ireland; but efforts made
conceal tho tactic color 1t with tho hue Of eKsggeTaion
I'm order 10 up the sins Of msgoyernmont In high
qusers-even among those holding official positions In the
Councils Of the Qusen OF hsss)t sought TO
slight the tale Of misery which tho Press Of Ireland
sny great extent DO found In that Island But the
ainy has become universal and 1t Is mpossibs to
We viii not weary you with statistics this occasion.
though they narrowing enough TO stir the coolest heart
IL sufficient that gunt famine stalks throughout the
andthe and richest land the csrththo garden
Western EuIopeha women and children are pershDs Tor
want OF food that the peasany or such OF them .. Can
tcraps ogther sufficient flying to the scapoHs 10
escape impending death. by omgraoni that cry Ia going
forth psstos and people for help last they per sh that
the wing. OF the Angel Of Death ovehadow the land
tho dreadful times oflS47 still fresh IN all our
memories. -, =,
live 10 90 into the details OF oil The mseHe, which
prevail Ireland this moment there would be no limit to
our appeal II were TO oreshado" even small portion
of eli the suffering that yet TO eOme-unes' you step ~
like angels of mercy avert itime and language would
adequately describe IT, Let instance suffice, as tho
leading hgue In some terihe picture points 10 me Thoe
story ia district Of tho County Of Galway, az stated DyA
worthy priest not many weeks sgo poor peasant womnh
who lived fifteen miles from tho nearest town, III wbich te
held tho symbol OF last refuge Tor the safVp
the whole distance with her only available gar
ent which could purchase the miserable relief Of the pawn
bIokeL
sbs tesrsd Along Dor road. Bleeding not tho d'tsnss nor