Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-04-14
Irish Relief Meeting In n. Y
Speech Of Gen. Mcclellan.

A great meeting was held at the Acade-
my Of Music, New York, on Tuesday eve
ming last. under the auspices of the
Knights Of St Patrick. having for its oh
Ject the organization Of comprehensive
plan for the relief Ct the destitute working
classes of Ireland. Before the regular one.
ming of the proceedings Gen Mcclellan en-
tered one Of the private boxes. HIS pres.
enc" was made known to the assembly by
Mr.. John Butler, President Of the assccia>
ton, who called for Three cheers for Gen,
Mcclellan" A scene OF tremendous ex-
citement ensned. The entire audience
sprang to its feet, aud for several minutes
the men eheered and shouted for a speech.
and she ladies wildly waved their hand.
kerchiefs, until at last the General after
bowling for some time from the front of n
private box. broke thr ough the silence no
had resolved to impose upon himself and
spoke as {, llOws:
My friends, / came here to night as +,
listener and spectator, not to particir ate in
the proceeding Of the evening | came
here TO hear the abIest and the best of the
friends and sons of Ireland plead her causs
to night. ! have departed from nv usual
rule OF avoiding vast assemtlages because
knew that this had 70 party nor political
purpose. Applause. ! kuew that Won
were assembled for the noblest of all our.
poses, that of charity toward suffering
bretheren in a distant land. | came here
simply to evince my symrathy in vonr
cause. feel that have strong and neon.
liar reasons for feeling intense sSnpatbv
and interest IN all that refers 10 Ireland
and the Irish. Applause nave sprunp
myself from kindred race. have often
seen the loyalty Of the Irish to their gov
ernmsnt ard their General poved: Fave
seen the green lig Of Erin side by side
with our stars and ttripeS amid the SMOKE
and din of battle. have witnessed the
cnlvulry and bravery Of the Irish race
when boy upon the fields Of Mexico: aud
in maturer years have seen the qualities
again displayed on tho fields Of MARYLAND
end Virginia. Enthusiastic applause /
Ii has often been my sad lot, but pleasant
withal. to watch the cheerfully smiling
faces OF the Irish when suffering from pain
iul and CHASTITY wounds. have alwavs
under all circumstances, found the Irish
heart warm and true, and, as | have al
ready raid, feel that I have a particular
right to sympathiZe with your cause. Its
most uni rtunate that there are 90 many in
ireland who need our sympathy and assis
lance, but we should at least thank God
that be has given US the means to extend
hand to them and aid them. It is upfortu
nate, perhaps, for Ireland that laws. with
the making Of which her people had 40 liz.
tie to do, and government in which thew
have been 80 little represented, shouIl bays
induced so many of them to leave their ma.
tive land and seek a refuge in foreign
chimes; but the loss of ireland has been
the gain of America. Great cheering l.
IL has gwen US some of the brightest INTEL
Ieets that have adorned our history: count.
less strong artIs which have developed our
resources. and soldiers innumerab!e. who
IN every field, from those of the Revolution
T. those Of the present sad rebellion, hayo
upheld the honor Of their adopted country,
lChsers Therefore, say. we have gain.
ed what Ireland has lost. One thing more
oeinre iclose, although, az said before,
we have come here tonight for no political
purpose, yet no true friend Of his country
IN the present crisis can repres altogether |
the thoughts that wll crowd upon his
brain. What is it that enables us DOW to |
extend our hands in sueeor to our broth. |
eren across the Atlantic2 WHAT'S it that
our fathers worked for and which for we |
TOO worked. and are working nowI 1t was |
TO establish on this broad continent one |
nation oae Tree government, that might be |
refuge for all free foreign lands. know.
thea, that express the sentiments os ell |
VINO listen to me when ! Say that ell our
energies, all our thoughts. all our msans.
and II necessary the last drop of our blood
must be gwen to uphold that unity, tina.
nationality. tGreat cheering did not
rise to make speech, but simply to express
my warm and most cordial thanks Cor the
greeting With which have been honOred.