The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-11

persistent warfare of Daniel O'Connell-the Oh.
feet of which was tear from the Statute-book
the interdictions which bigotry and fanaticism,
stupidity and savagery, had inserted there
against the Catholics of Ireland-the peo-
pie of ireland had the United States upon
their side. The history of the Catholic
Association, written by Thomas Wise,
one of the most accomplished and upright
advocates of the Catholic claims, and who hav-
ing represented with eminent credit the city OF
Waterford for many years In the British House
of Commons, was appointed Minister to Ath-
ems, where he breathed his last in the shadow
of the beautiful ruins that had been from boy
hood his favOrite study and the inspiration OF
his scholarship and career.
The history of the Catholic Association by
this gifted gentleman-few copies OF which
history are now to be had-will sustain me in
that the Catholic Agitation, as 1t was calle1, ,
derived from the United States, the action Of
its democracy, and the declarations of its repre-.
sentative men, an impulse and power that
secured the concession of the Catholic claims.
A little later, when the spirit Of 1882 broke
out in the demand for the repeal of the Union
bill of 1899, and Ireland, reused to the asser-
ton of her capacities and rights as an original
nation, in the first place. and in the next as .
political partner in great dominion, as the
managers of the great sell of the Irish parlla-
ment magniiciently phrased ia little later,
I saw, when the spirit of 1882 broke
out and in thunders that awoke the
world replied to the invocations OF
O'Connell demanding the restoration Of an In
dependent Irish parliament-what voice was
more thoroughly and potently concurred with
would have been free of England, half GEN.
tury ago, had the earnest sympathies, the ire
pressible eloquence, and hard dollars Of the
United States been competent to break the
chain which held our wretched country, bound
and bleeding, to the chariot wheels OF rapa-
cious and remorseless, resplendant and de.
vouring, empire. Had l time, l might here
speeches delivered by him in 1843, ~ and
45-passages of the healthiest and haughtiest
eloquence, in which the gratitude of the Irish
heart to the democracy of the United States is
surpassed in its intensity and profusi0n only
by the avowed faith that the United States
would prove one day to be to Ireland what
France and Lafayette, and Germany and Steu-
ben, and Poland and Kociusko, had been to
the thirteen colonies of Great Britain in the
sublime days of their transition from manacles
to liberty. But have no time for quotations.
Hence you will find that this address of mine
is but an outline of what can be more posi-
lively stated in illustration of the political and
historic relations that have subsisted between
Ireland and America for century at least, and
that it processes 10 do no more than remind
my countrymen Of the service, the loyalty,
the devotion unto death they owe the
nation that in its instincts and popu.
lar manifestations has been so prodigally
true to Ireland. In saying this, however-in
saying that profess, In these few and hurried
remarks, simply to remind my countrymen of
the duties they owe the nation that receives,
shelters, encourages, and by participation in
its citizenship, ennobles them. do not mean
to intimate that the Irish emigrant in America
has been false to his obligations, aud that it is
necessary to remind him OF them. Was it ne
cessary to do 80, should not assume the Odious
duty. To do so, would be to charge my CRATE
full and gallant countrymen with an infidelity
which would contradict and cancel the imme-
mortal character of their race and the deep
trust-worthiness and natural nobility of their
nature. Of that nature have had, myself an
experience, which, as long as heart and voice
are granted me, will command my gratitude.
Singular to say, it was not until had been q
day or two in st. Paul, that l found that one
of the most memorable incidents of my career
had been immOrtalized in verse, and for this
discovery / am indebted 10 my friend, Mr..
Howard, who, to my mind is just the sort Of
1rishman every one of us should be-patient,
exercising an independent INTEL
iigence upon all pubic questions, deeply
true and proudly loyal to the United
States, sociable in his manners, but infexible
in his convictions of what is right and what is
wrong-what is degrading and what is emo
bling in public life,-what, in fine, makes the
vulgar demagogue and the knightly citizen.
"Good peasant, we are Strangers here,
And night is gathering fas.;
The stars scarce glimmer in the sky;
And means the noun AIMS blast;
Can'st tell rs o. place to resGs
We're wearied with the road; -
No churl the peasa 1t used to be.
With HON Ely couch and food"
81 cannot he p eff nor know
Where We nay rest or stay;
few MOI hours the moon will shine.
And ligh- you on yeur way"
'sBut peasant can you let a man
Appeal to you in vain:
Here at your very cabin OOr,
And mid the pelting rain:
Here IN the dark, and In the night,
Where one scarce sees span:
What close your heart and close your door!
And be an Irishman?"
No, no-go On-the mo n will RE
In short hour or two: .
Wat can peaceful labo.er say.
Or poor teller do!"
"Youre poor. Well, here's golden chance
To maze you rich and great
Five hundred pounds are on our heads
The gibbet i, cur fate!
Fly.-raise the cry, and win the gold.
Or some may Oh eat you soon:
Ard we'll abide, by the roadside,
And wal. the rising moon"
What ais the teasant. Does he flush
At the wild greed OF gold?
Why seizes he the waude eIs, hands p
Hark to his accents bold
''Ho! I hue heart for yol neighbors.
Ay-ant a hearth, aud home!-