The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-03
Another Speech of rchb5shOp
Hughes.

At the Semi-Aunual commencement of
St. Francis Xavier's College of New York,
Archbishop Hughes was present, and at
the conclusion of the exercise, made the
following address:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-As no special
part has been assigned to me in the discus
sions you have heard and by which you
have been delighted, | am almost at loss
to know what should say. While seated
here looking On this alcove and around the
place, it seemed to me that | could distin-
guish countenance; calculated to inspire
every hope in any and every good cause.
(Applause.) An Old and practised eye
like mine can distinguish and have moth
ing but open noble countenances all around
me, beaming with intelligence. tits hard for
young man to keep his countenance if he
has gone far astray in moral duty. The
Archbishop having referred in modest way
to the progress which education had made
under his jurisdiction, continued, do not de-
ny the impeachment that my eXertions lay
very much towards education, and the only
trouble with me is, that have not sue
ceeded as well as | could have wished.
Education, might say, has been the dream
of my life; and by education mean the
training Of the intellect and heart which
first makes a man understand his duties to
his God, and next to his country, and then
to his family, and then to all mankind.
(Applause.) | have tonight realized to
some extent my first dream as an arch
bishop, or a bishop; and now my last
vision, my last dream will be to have ten
more establishments in the city Of New
York like this. (Applause.) There is
plenty OF room, p:enty OF people, plenty of
promising youth, and why not build up a
whole army OF young men who, by science
and education and principle, shall give
tone to the whole city of New York. Gap
plause.) Now, | must be just; and since
the question of the American Revolution
has been discussed, will say this-that of
all the vices that are known to fallen human
nature, Americans are, at least, the freest
from miserliness. There is not miser
in the land. Everybody and every boy,
from the age OF nine years and six months
wants to make money; but he never holds
it like a miser He makes it for the fun
of it, but he spends it again. CHEERS and
laughter.) There are countries, however,
| might mention which are misery. At
ter some further remarks in partly taca1
tious style, his Grace concluded as follows:
But, gentlemen of the discussion class, l
would make one remark, and that is that
q great country like this is the strongest,
and at the same time the weakest thing
man ever created. Because socially and
politically, it is mans creation under Gods
providence. If the people of a country
like this are united the country would
stand as firm as the rock of Gibraltar. On
the other hand, if divisions contradic-
tons and rival factions should spring up
all! then read the history OF Poland, read
the history Of Ireland, and you will see
what they will lead to. There is nothing
so strong as a government rightly man
aged-(applause)-and yet there is moth
ing so weak as government. 1t is said
that Ireland was conquered. Ireland was
never conquered-but deceived. loud
cheers.) Ireland was deceived, but was
never conquered. (Renewed cheering.)
That is a historical fact. But don't mis-
understand me. think it was misfor-
tune that it was not conquered once-the
first time and forever-but it was not. 1t
was done by piecemeal, lying, theft and
deception. (Great cheering.) The con-
sequence is that Ireland was more perfect
ly at the feet Of her oppressor than Po-
land. After a few further remarks his
Grace finished, and was greeted with pro-
longed applause.