The New York herald., 1869-11-12

Father sicMahon et - :..s,.s,s
Immense Gathering ana 800 Wei.
come of the Released sisf- - ,rsAsspeeches
BIZ Mayor Hall, F-,ner kssssahon, Horace
greeley, Rior.srd o'Scsmnn aud Others.
| IN YSsporsa to catering invitation by several
/ promiueft citizens OF New York the Rev. Father
Mediation appeared at tho Cooper Institute last even.
inc 10 discuss the Justice OF his imprisonment ana
the cruelues to which he was subjected during the
three wears and three months OF his incarceration IA
| Canada Never was the hail 80 completely
crammed. Probably half an hour before
the doors were opened an impenetrable
throng congregated outside, and the snd-
den avalanche Of devoted and sympathe
human beings soon filed every available space.
The audience was largely composed Of ladies. Sell
dom has larger or more harmon ious meeting occu-
pied the Cooper Institute and the reception accorded
TO the Rev. Mr.. Mcmahon was heartfelt as It was
sincere Tho greatest interest to behold the reve-
rend gentleman was manifested from the COM
mencement, and his appearance before the assem-
blage was greeted with long continued cheers
ali present standing for several moments,
in order TO make the welcome the more
significant Shortly after eight O'Clock Mr.. CAREY
called the meeting TO order, and IN the absence OF
Mayor Hall, nominated Colonel II. 0. Roberts as
chairman; but, as the Mayor shortly after made bis
appearance he at once assumed the duties Of that
Office amid great applause,
Mayor HALL. in a brief ana happy speech, said he
was not present as an individual nor politician,
but on behalf OF the great city OF New York. as its
Mayor. (Cheers The assembage met to do what
New York had always done-to open its gates to the
exted and the oppressed and, should the day ever
come-though ne did not believe 1t ever would
that New York would draw close its gate OF en-
trance 10 the exile and the oppressed, he wanted
to leave Ii. (Chears.l They were present as hosts
to welcome the guest to whom tney had already ac-
corded so grand n reception. Father Mcmahon was
present first rs an indivlduai, but not SO much IN
thai capacity as because he represented III his per-
son the molly cause in the holy man was inearnate
lore the iamented Brady died he read to him tho
opening comet of Byrons poem Of "The Prisoner OF
Chilon,n aud 1t SO much impressed him when he
heard OF the case OF the Rev. Mr.. Mcmahon chat he
would now read it, Mayor Hall then read the well
known lines OF the opening sonnet, which. as appi-
cable to the case OF the reverend gentleman, were
received with tremendous cheers. He wound now
introduce the Rev. Father McMahon, the martyr and
The Rev. Father MCMAHON, then came forward
amid the most enthusiastic demonstrations OF well
come. Cheer followed cheer, the ladies meanwhile
waving their handkerchefs with delight. When
silence was restored the reverend gentleman slowly
advanced TO the front OF the platform, apparently
very weak aud. speaking In feeble and almost
inaudibe voice returned his thanks for the welcome
and Kindness when had been extended to him. He
presumed the audience were not unacquanted with
his imprisonment and tho treatment by which IL
was characterized He was still weak, and on that
account the secretary would read his statement.
But he would say that he entertained no hatred or
i'll win to the people OF CANADA. Let the tale OF his
suferings be laid aside. Their recital would be
painful to both the audience and himself. As
Catholic priest he forgave the cruel treatment he
received from the officers OF Q British prison:
on the OCCASION OF his arrest merely by
chance. Who would see the bleeding soldiers
with words OF hope and consolation2 Who were
more honorable than soldlersg And that was the
dying soldiers on the battle deld, and il he were to
blame he would leave IT to the community. (Cheers
He attended the British as well as the Fenlan SOL
dlers-niney men belonging to the British army and
thirty or the Fenians. lie did his duty. tCheersJ
Why should he be blamed for doing his dutyp A
priest must do his duty. No matter what the dam
ger may be priest must venture his life to save
souls with the help OF God. No matter what
baroarlsnl-his duty must be done lie would not
DOW recount the history Of his snerings, but under
similar circumstances he would do the same thing
over again. (Cheersl lie stood upon the battle
neid. 1t was well known to botn armies, and
throughout tho engagement he was on both sides.
When he saw soldier fall he did not ask what he
was He merely attended the dying-did his duty and
nothing more lie was at present under the care OF
| tons. God only knew how long that might DO.
He trusted the audience would indulge him by
would conclude by remarklng that he did his duty
\ and nothing more.
| Mr.. DAILY then proceeded 10 read from manuscript
presence or Rev. Mr.. Mahon at the Ridgeway en-
gaaement-accidental. since by leave OF tue bishop
OF his diocese he was proceeding at the time to
Montreal to settle the affairs OF his deceased brother
he statement further set orta mis- clerical duties
the battle hed his arrest trial and Imprisonment 10
Toronto jail. On first entering that institution
was placed in an ice bath one hour, which necessi-
tated his going to the hospital, II further complained
OF the great injustice OF hs trial. and his being con-
demnel to euher capital punishment i've weeks
siser MS conv,e,on pvso Of psrticgalloa M the rad
hc was almost starved ts death by the
vp wrstchea s'e, &c, food - admnistersd e him Ills
cell eight fect long and twenty-eight inches wide
was infested with Fats and verinn, ana altogether
his treatment was OF tho most barbara character.
On one occasion, IN winter, he forced into
cold water bath aud kept there almost an hour IN
presence OF English officers, their language and In
suits being or the grossest description. He was
tried on three counts. First with being an Ameri-
zen who went 10 Canada to levy war, and third he
was found 10 go with evil disposed persons in
Canada. TO the first count he pleaded guilty
tcheefsi-to The second he showed that he merely
went TO settle the affairs OF his deceased brother
and as regarded the third he had proved that he mad
only exercised the duties OF Christian minister.
lCheers)
Mr.. HORACE GREELEY next delivered brief ad-
oress IN Whlch ne ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS union among
Irshnen as being the only the attainment
OF their OBJECTS. lie adverted to the Irish land uues
ton, as beng one OF the most important subjects
that could possibly attract their attention. He had
hoped to see tnat matter settled by Irish Paria-
menL but he glad to the British authorities
taking steps In that direction. In conclusion he
strongly condemned division among Irishmen.
MIR. RICHARD O'G0RMAy was next introduced. and
referred at some length 10 the grievous wrongs
under which Ireland had suffered. He pronounced
the conduct OF the Canadian government towards Tho
Rev. Mr. Mcmahon as act OF barbarism, and be now
knowingly ana deliberately, as an lrishman, as an
American ana as Citizen Joined the meeting in IT'S
indignant protest against it. Cheers.) The speaker
then proceeded to refer to the past struggles OF Ire
the EnsIIsa government could never do Justice to
ireland under any circumstances, and ne expressed
nope tnat one dag above the red would noat the
Mr. ROBINSON and others then delivered addresses.
@ s.i.er Whicn the Immense assemblage quietly dis