The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-07-17

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THos. W. KEE, See'y .--.--a--..-4-s5
| =
IN MEMORIAM.
THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, ESQ.
| By THE REV. GEO. W. PEPPER, CHAPLAIN o. 8. 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.. NIeagher was born in Water
ford, Ireland, on the 3rd August 1923. His
father was then member of the London Parlia-
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-
garded by his comrades as m orator of splendid
gifts, and possessing talents of extraordinary
power. It 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
honors, he travelled on the Continent for year,
and then returned to ireland. He determined to
relinquish all his brilliant prospects, that he
might at once dedicate his beautiful fancy to the
deliverance of poor Erin from the grasp of per-
idious 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
surrection, and continued to the hour of his un-
timely death. Meagher was accustomed to speak
in Cancellation Hail. 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'Brien, Doheny, Dillon, Smyth, Dalton Will
liams, John Mitchell and the young and glorious
Thomas Davis These gifted and fiery leaders
were dissatisfied with o. Connelps plan of secur-
ing Irish independence. The motto of o. Cornell
was moral sssasion-the watchword of the young
Irelanders was, physical force. This new Confed-
Grafton shines like the morning star Its genius
commands the admiration OF all men of mind in
the nation. A new soul spoke. The brightness
of 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
ganizationin speech full of invectives Meagher
replied in All 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. we'll
remember Meagher's visit to my native city,
Belfast. sat by his side. All eyes were center
ed on this eloquent young rebel. "There is
| mind and eloquence in him, muttered q 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 impassioned. Every eye is
| fixed, and as he depicts the wrongs Of ireland
| every hand is clenched. In the shert 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 fame communicated itself to
the whole of the vast assembly. Tosuch 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 accused
Union.
81 arrest you," exclaimed an officer of the law.
"No, by heaven, !" responded the gallant Meagher,
and in these immortal words commanded the sol
diery: T" 1 can and will retract nothing, because
it is neither safe wise to do anything contrary
to conscience! Here stand. I cannot do 9th.
erwise God help me-"
/ The next day five thousand men Joined the
young Ireland party and prepared to raise the
standard Of revolt. England trembled- matters
were coming to aclimax. 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
ip elegance of composition orin naughty defiance
of the power that sentenced him toa felon's death
Subsequently this sentence was committed t.
Punishment for life in Van Diemen's land.
shall never forget the evening after his sentenc,
to death was pronounced by the Judge. It wal
| the evenipO of q lovalv dav. a vonnO and haouts