Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-23
A Catholic BANQUET.

Charles O'Conner, Esq, gave at Delmon-
ico's, New York, splendid reception to
Archbishop McCloskey. 1t was graced by
the presence OF many official characters
from abroad as well as officers of the army
and navy and civilians of our own country,
making cheer ng and delightful spectacle.
The host, in a graceful speech, III giving
the toast of the evening, presented the
Archbishop as sour guide in the faith and
a bright example of its benign and elevat-
ing influence" This distinguished charac-
ter replied in a feeling and eloquent strain
entirely personal and social. lie was fol-
lowed by James III. Brady, Esq, and Judge
DAILY, who called up DIR. Bedford. After
referring to eminent Americans who were
Catholics, DR.. Bedford thus referred to our
country:
Il have mentioned the name of Charles
Carroll of Carrollton. What American
heart does not throb with emotion at the
sound of this venerated name? He, as you
well know, was one of the signers of that
glorious Declaration of Independence
which made us great and free people, and
which enabled our iorefathers to transmit
to their children precious Inheritance; but
how sadly have we trifed with that legacy,
the integrity of which we should have part
ed with only with our hearts blood. L am
sure you will pardon me if give utterance
on this festive occasion to the sentiments
which at this moment press upon my mind.
This fair land of ours, this land OF hope,
may | not say this land of promise,
has been more than crimsoned with a
brothers blood. We are now engaged In
worse than a fratricidal war-brother
against brother. father against son, husband
against wife! Is there no hand in this ma
ton to pour the balm of Gilead into the
wounds of our afflicted and bleeding coun-
try? No voice which, in terms of kindness
will say to our erring brethren, Brothers,
in moment of phrenZy you have struck at
the heart of your mother; but she, true to
the instincts of a devoted p, rent, asks you
to repent and return once again to her en-
braces? Language like this it seems to me,
would accomplish much. 1t would not on
ly bring back the sober thoughts of our
Southern brethren, but it would kindle anew
the "reminiscences of our early history
their love for the old flag and its associa-
tions-the recollection of our early strug-
Gle, and the glories which followed 1.-THE
contemplation of the beauties OF this great
republic before rude hands were raised for
its destruction-all these things would burst
upon them as a dream; they would soon
see the delusion and wild impulse under
which they had acted, and thus gladly re-
turn to the old homestead. May the sacred
ashes which repose on the banks of the Po-
tomac, under the venerated shades OF
Mount Vernon, remind us, both North and
south, of our duty, and so impress us with
the lofty patriotism of the Father of his
Country, as to make us resolve thatnot one
solitary stone of the arch which gives sup
port to the national fabric shall be loosened
from its foundations, not one star dimmed.
nor one stripe rent from that glorious old
flag which has never yet gone down in dis
honor in any equal contest with foreign
foe ~