The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-08-11

At the great Irish American meeting il
Washington, on the I'd inst, Hon. John He
gan, member of congress from Missouri, made
a speech which is reported in the Nationa
IntslIiqeneer as follows:
speech of MIR. Hogan.
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies' and Gentlemen -
I know not how TO thank you for the invita-
zion you have given me to be present at 6
demonstration like this. | am overwhelmed
with the honor Hers, as | glance nv eve
around. l find the men, and the women too
God bless tins women always Cheers | find
them in this land periodically seeking to per
petuase the blessings that they came here to
enjoy and in this house, this magnificent
assemblage. this gathering of Irishmen me T.
ing in order to unite together to make the
Irish name tocsin of power in the United
States. | am proud that have the opporsu-
nifty of mingling my voice with yours.
Irishmeu in every period of the history of
this government have been actors on it's
scene; Irishm6n III every portion of this
land have aided IN moulding it's political sen
timent; Irishmef', derided by many have
still had an opportunity of maintaining the
truth of their position ,exempiifyng the pow
er Of their intellect and their genius, and |
am glad now that the time has come when in
your estimation, it becomes necessary that
this power be consolidated for good
Cheers
It ia a power, it always has been power,
and while the Irish heart beats warm with
patriotic emotions, impelled by Irish blood it
will ever be power
But, my fellow citizens, to DO a power to
realize cur strength, to make others CONVEX
SAINT with US, 1t becomes necessity that we
combine-not as Know Noshings, who sought
-
1rish-Am orleans. feeling we have an interest
in the land, and determination to maintain
its liberties unimpaired.
Folce-"Is General Banks an Irish.
man"
Mr.. Hogan-Not much of one.
lrlshmsn, may, ought 70 say, for this liz
an Irish meeting, latterly there has been
thrown into our association t. rather dlgturb
ing element by the that some n en- have
made of it, Allusion has been made by vour
worthy chairman tonight to the fact tina. an
organization among the Irish, known as feni
anism, has been the means, by some means
or other,s OF Bringing a degree of luminosity
among the ranks of Irlshmen not because
we oppose fenianlsm as such, but because
some mon with sinister motives seek to mako
1t she means of their own apgraadizement
and the building up of party and thew do
not care if every Irishman in the land was
sunk in ruin go they, upon his shoulders roda
into power. Cheers ''
Now,upon that subject. my fellow .ci.izsns
before | 60 further, | desire, with your nar
mission, to make some remarks, and as it ia q
subject which may have some difficulties
about it. lave chosen, for the first time in
my life in making public speech, to reduce
them to writing, and these l want to present
you, if you will permit me to read them. I
hardly know whether l can or not. am q
very old man, laughter as you can ssen
but, 1t period of active service of some 80
years. perhaps, never have attempted to
prepare speech in advance of its delivery
L am novice at this thing and younr as 7
am, IND l am alittle near sigh ted, and have
TO use other eyes to help my own, putting