The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-13
IN MEMORIAAI.
THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, ESQ.


nY THE REV. GEO. W. PEPPER, CHAPLAIN U. s. A.
The saddest duty that has ever fallen to our lot
since we commenced writing for the press, is that
which we perform to-day in recording the death
of one of the noblest sons of poor ireland, that
ever essayed to break her chains. The splendid
Young Irishman whose name heads this article
fell from the deck OF the Steamer Thomson, at
Fort Benton, on the Missouri river, and was
drowned 1t is many day since we saw him in
the land of his birth. He left it in sorrow but
not in shame; and since that day, no shade of dis
honor has sullied his reputation, but on the con-
trary has gathered glories where liberty, truth
and patriotism were to be defended by the tongue,
pen or sword. Mr.. AIeagher was born in Water
ford, Ireland, on the 3rd August, 1928 His
father was then member of the London ParIia-
ment and possessed of an ample fortune At an
early age the deceased attended the Jesuits Col
lege at Stonyhurst, England. Here he was re-
oarded by his comrades as orator of splendid
oiits, and possessing talents of extraordinary
power 1t was while attending this institution
that he gave evidence of that religious detestation
of England which shone so conspicuously in his
after life. After graduating with distinguished
bonors he travelled on the Continent for a wear,
and then returned to Ireland. He determined to
relinquish all his brilliant prospects, that he
might at once dedicate his beautiful fancy to the
deliyerance of poor Erin from the grasp of per-
tidous Albion. He visited Dublin, where he
formed a close friendship with several young
men of exalted fame-a friendship which endur-
ed through all the trying scenes of the Irish in
surrcction, and continued to the hour of his UNI
timely death. Meagher was accustomed to speak
in Cancellation Hall. His great abilities, shining
rhetoric and thrilling eloQuence were powerful
acquisitions to the cause of OConnell.
He was specially appreciated by the young men
of Ireland thousands of whom were captivated
by his glowing oratory, his rich vein of thought,
his poetic and his classical illustrations, combin-
ed as they all were with true patriotism and fer
vent appeal. There was then fast developing into
being new brotherhood of poets and orators-a
circle composed of such brilliant names as
O'Bren, Doheny, Dillon, Smyth, Dalton Will
liams John Mitchell and the young and glorious
Thomas Davis. These gifted and fiery leaders
were dissatisfied with O'Connell's plan of secur-
ING Irish independence The motto of o. Cornell
was moral StaSion-the watchword of the young
Irelanders was, physical force. This new Confed-
Grafton shines like the morning star. Its genius
commands the admiration of ali men of mind in
the nation. new soul spoke. The brightness
of q constellation conferred in one spirit, and it
rose proud and lofty above the Confederation.-
Thomas Francis Meagher was the soul and sinew
of the movement O'Connell denounced the Or
ganization in speech full of inyectives. Meagher
replied in an eloquent and intrepid Grafton in
which he delivered his celebrated apostrophe to
the sword. This address was greeted with ire
mendous and enthusiastic applause. 1t is soon
noised through the whole country that young
Tribune has arisen, and his orations are stirring
the country like the blasts of trumpet. well
remember Meaghcrs visit to my native city,
Belfast. I sat by his side. All eyes were center
ed on this eloquent young rebel. "There is
mind and eloquence in him." muttered then
scholarly philosopher, as Meagher just finished
one of his brilliant illustrations in beautiful and
stately climax. The orators voice became more
melodious, rich and imprisoned. Every eye is
fixed, and as he depicts the wrongs of Ireland
every hand is clenched. In the short space of
half an hour distance was annihilated, time for
gotten, and the audience found itself surrounded
by their oppressors, amidst whips, letters, pack
ed juries, murder, famine and DEATH The soul of
the orator which kindled as he advanced, burned
within him and the flame communicated itself to
the whole of the vast assembly. To such as were
capable of calm observation, the scene was grand
and sublime. AS he approached the close of his
magnificent speech, he gave lightning glance
at the atrocities of England invoked the people
to rise and rid themselves forever of the accursed
Union.
81 arrest you," exclaimed an officer of the law
No, by HEAVIER" responded the gallant Mcagher,
and in these immortal words COMPOUNDED the SOL
diery: 81 can and will retract nothing, because
it is neither safe wise to do anything contrary
erwise! God help me.''
The next day five thousand men Joined the
young ireland party and prepared to raise the
standard of revolt. England trembed-matters
were coming to climax. Meagher was arrested;
the mockery for trial was given him, and he was
sentenced to be hung. His bearing during the
trial was grand, elevated and heroic. His speech
on the occasion has never been surpassed either
in elegance of composition orin naughty defiance
of the power that sentenced him TO felon's death.
Subsequently this sentence was committed to
Punishment for life in Van Diemen's land. I
shall never forget the evening after his sentence
to death was pronounced by the Judge 1t was
the evening of a lovely day; ayoung and beauti
full girl stood at the prison gate, and desired adj
mittance into the dungeon. She was closely !
vailed, and the keeper could not imagine who she
was, nor that any one OF such proud bearing |
should be an humble suppliant at the prison door.
However, he granted the boon, led her to the |
dungeon, opened the massive door, then closed |
1t again, and the lovers were alone. He was
leaning against the prison wall, with down-cast
mead, and his arms were folded upon his breast.
GENTLY she raised the vail from her face, and
Meagher turned to gaze upon all that earth con-
ened for him, the girl whose sunnybrow, in the
uays OF his boyhood, had been his pole star; the
maiden who made him think the world was all
81 The clanking of his chains sounded
-iNe death knell to her ears, and she wept like
d child Meagher said but little, yet he pressed
net 70 his heart. In a low voice, he besought her
NV ne 10 forget him when he was gone. He spoke
WI, Sgohe days; the happiness of childhood,
In, ms hopes were bright and glorious.
hon"s The church bell sounded, and he remem-
cd 49, int nour of separation The jaiIor enter
si'ef aashng the tears from his eyes, he
+be ,aa. eheia from their long embrace and led
turned. .,'. the dungeon. At the entrance she
we'll 1n .nelf eyes met; they could not say fare