The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-09

THE LIBERTY RuYs OF NEW Yoag
necture by Richard O'Gernan at the Cooper
Iuefifufo.


a.ecture by Richard OeGernan at the Cooper
Institute.
Last evening Mr.. Richard O'Gorman delivered
highly interesting discourse In the Cooper institute
IN aid OF the hospital In charge OF the Sisters OF
Charity and under the auspices OF the Society Of St.
Vincent de Paul. Seldom, indeed, has more
numerous or appreciative audience assembled In
the spacious hail. and considering the worthy
object the result was regarded gratifying in the
extreme The platform was crowded by several dis
ringuished clergymen and Others.
Mr.. 0'G0rman, on coming forward, was received
with loud tokens OF appreciation. He congratulated
the Society OF ST. Vincent de Paul upon the grand
results OF their noble endeavors to promote the
cause OF charity well the audience for the sub
stantal support they had thus exhibited. They were
all there to serve great and good charity spread by
the Sisters OF st. Vincent de Paul. He would
briefly state who the Liberty Boys were and how
they came to be in New York. He then en-
tered into description OF the landing OF
Henry Hudson. OF the early settlements during the
beginning OF the seventeenth century ana the
nourshng state OF the fur trade under the Dutch AT
New Amsterdam He gave vivid and highly
humorous sketch OF the early manners, customs and
ordinances or the Dutch people, Of the annoyance
they endured from the Puritans, who subsequently
came TO Rhode Island from Holland. He next adj
verted to the steady growth OF the city OF
New York, contending that 1t was always q
strangers city, From the start New York was what
out the hand OF welcome to every of every race
OF every cline and every religion. tAppause.l To
that IL may attribute It's prosperity its grandeur and
its freedom. tApplause.l Abiding to the influence
which the agent OF the English government exer-
cized towards the people OF New York, he
paid a high tribute TO Thomas DUNCAN
DUNCAN was an lrishman. (Applause.) He was
subsequently dismissed by James IL. which added
another to that monarch's many ioies. James H.
was bigot and fool. One OF his weaknesses was
desire 10 force upon the people OF England form
N n WI h
respected and venerated. But conscience must not
be trammelled; mans religion must as matter Of
necessity and right, always anu everywhere be free
from human law and human government, ana II
the people OF England did not want to be Catholic
ne nad no right TO force It upon them, and he re
spected them Tor resisting IT. The lecturer
then proceeded to refer to the organization
OF the Liberty Boys Of New YORK on the occasion
when the liberty of the press was first interfered
with by the British government here. All the law
yers In New York were employed IN the prosecution
Of the publishers; but the Liberty Boys procured
the services OF Phade phia lawyer When the
case came to be tried popular excitement rose high,
and the Jury rightly appreciating the feelings OF the
people, acquitted the prisoner amid great acclama-
ton. This was the first great feat of the Liberty
Boys. Their justly formed antagonsm to Brit
lsh imposition gradually increased The association
became formidable, andtthe British authority. when
NEEDING with the rights ana interest OF the people
OF this city, was IN every instance successfully re-
sisted The Stamp act was not tolerated by the
vigilance and bravery OF the Liberty Boys. They
We're equally victorious IN suppressing other out
this city. The Liberty Boys held large meetings,
had torchlght professions nearly every occasion
when insult was attempted, and the result OF
their deliberations was attended with great success.
When the British soldiers tore down the peoples
liberty pole Indignation thoroughly aroused.
The insult was followed by conflict between
the soldiers and the Liberty BOYS at Golden Hill, In
this city, when after desperate struggle, the red
coats were driven back defeated and dismayed.
That was the first fight OF the American
Revolution 1t was mistake to suppose
That the first battle Of the great Revolution
airy struggle was fought elsewhere than ia
New York city, under the auspices Of the Liberty
Boys. The lecturer then cited several instances OF
their heroic conduct IN the great battle for inde-
pendence, which he attributed In great measure to
their brilliant efforts. He concluded by paving |
high tribute TO the OF charity which the au-
dience had 80 substantially assisted by their nume-
rous presence Throughout the lecture was Tepiete
with much wit and humor and was frequently inter-
rupted with annlause.