The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-10-27
speech Of Santa Anna at the Fc'
nian Picnic on Staten Island.


nian Picnic on Staten Island.
General Santa Anna was repeatedly
chcered by the crowd, and after order
was restored, Colonel William Il. Rob.
erts stepped forward and made few
Introductory remarks, in which he com.
pared the condition Of Ireland to that
Of Mexico, and hoped that equal sym.
pathy might be extended to both coun.
tries, He then introduced Gcner.
Santa Anna to the audience, The Gen
cral delivered the following address in
the Spanish language:
Mr.. Preyiden. and Gentlemen Of tie
Fcniun B-othUhocd' If ever regret.
ted the want Of knowledge Of the En-.
elish language, it is at the present mo
nent, when ! would wish to express to
you in your own tongue the heartfelt
gratitude that | now feel. Various
we're The honors that have ben Ncstow.
elupon me during my life by your own
countrymrn rs well as by the foreign
Powers Of Europe, yet it always hap
penel Hhcn | WAS in Power, and men
that are in power always receive hon
orS, and often are surrounded by fiat
'ercrs, adulators, but very seldom
friends. To-day an exile from my ma
tive soil, y stranger ina foreign land,
the smallest attention shown me, the
smallest consideration in my favor, is
most highly appreciated, for now am
not in power, and my thanks are there
fore unbounded, 1t would be presump-
tuous on my part to accept this demon
stration as matter personal to my
self, No! | accept this demonstra-
ton on hchalformy native land Of Mex-
leo three cheers for Mexico and
three for Ireland and let me confess
it, it is no surprise to ne. | may say,
| almost expect it, for the Irish are thc
people most apt to sympathlze with
Mexico. Is not their religion that Of
my country? DO we not worship at
The same altar; Are not the MeXicans,
like your own people, striving to free
their native land from foreign yoke !:
Why, then, should the world be aston
ished that the FrnianS should be will
ling to assist Mexico in becoming once
more free from foreign tyranny? 1t
is not thc first time that your people
have extended to me their friendly help.
When Mexico was invaded by the noble
enemy, on whose hospitable soil | an
now living. when | had arrayed against
me the powerful armies of the United
States, under that immortal hero Gen.
cral Scott three cheers for General
Scott and three for Santa Anna the
flower Of my army then were two com
panics composed of men from the
Green Isle, with the image of their
Patron Saint ON the flag. Why Won
der thea that they now come forward
to my aid? Am ! not as was then,
one Of the soldiers who fought for
Mexico independence? Why SHOULD
yOu not aid the last surviving soldier
Of my countrys independence, who
wishes to saAl the history of his life by
the same act by which he commenced
it, namely to secure the independence
Of his country? Yes, gentlemen. this
i, my ambition--this is what l strive to
accomplish in the few and last days
that are yet spared to me. Death has
spared me on many battle fields. From
amid the storm cf balls and fire have
come out unharmed May not say
this was not without cause: | feel
assured that | will, that must, that |
| shall, secure once more to my native
land its independence. 1t is not &
false or vain ambition that makes mt
thus; for the few days that are yet al
lottcd 10 me have all that y man ca!
need to render his days pleasant anC
peaceful. do not desire to become
once more tle ruler Of Mexico. Tier,
are no honcrs that Il nation can be
stow on its most favored onc that have
MT been showcrcti upon me 10y Mexico
Why then suppose lur n moment tina
lnv desire is 10 again rule over the Gcs
tinies OF my country? For twclv
years | have lived retired from publ
life on foreign soil. dcploring the dis
t,lrbancc in my country, yet not ming
ling in its domestic quarrcls. Yet
could not remain Silent now at the las
iata! blow for my country's mdcpen
dcncc, and that old sword-thc old com
panion that helped me to- fight the Span
iar,ls-was unsheathcd again and oil
cred to the supreme chief Of my coun
try but they thought it rusted, the
thought the old soldier worn ont, an'
they tried to brand him with int'am,
calling me u French spy. And woul
|, even like the rest that becomes III
; years and advanced aycf These in
, potations and slandcrs give new vigo
to the old.soldier. My deeds will d;
: fend me. My voice is yet of sou
prestige among my countrymca, all
my arm strong enough to lead IN q
> my. 40 gain or to perish" is IL
Z motto. With help or wishoutit i'shs
4 soon a. s;tin stand OH Anahues suil, ben
ding. .al6it that banner that | lAantaa 4
rlthe walls ni yca, Cruz when, / IrQ
y tue French from my lapd, in '3g, al
t myS Voice shall how, as tlien, be sttol
c enough to raise .eyen the ,dcad,t B
II former companions, from tleif .gravs
), Taey will help meto free Mexico dgaf
e or will drag me down to deplore wi
= me the ruin of my country. Lol
C cheers. 9:.
. We copy the following notice OF II