The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-01-10

NEW URLEA
man who became acquainted with him. Glare
was proud of him, even the common people.
He was born amongst them, brought up amongst
them. He was son of the patriotic Prime-ser-
geant, who would not barter for jndgeship,
nor for gold, the independence of his country,
when venality became SO general as to appear
one Of those men who stood with Grattan to the
last against the Union, and could not be de-
bauched by the scandalous government then, in
power. The son inherited bis popularity, and
was in favor of the Catholic claims, but thought
the time had not yet come for pressing them.
His property lay in and about the town of En-
mis-. The great -four mills of Ennis were built
by his father and he was q kind and indulgent
landlord. He was connected with several of
the leading families, unidentified with tt. in
terests of rich and poor through the county.
Upon the issue of his address every magis-
trate in Clare and every estate-owner, with
three four exceptions, rallied to his stand
ard. and formed themselves into committee
for his reelection. The tenants were sounded
against all agitation. OConnen was not aware
until now of the extraordinary hold Fitzgerald
had upon the county. He strove to persuade
E1ale
aid, but the Major refused, considering the pro-
ieet hopeless. The Association called upon .u
compelled into the struggle. Buthis hopes did
not brighten when the first two men he can
vassed-the Roman Catholic Bishop of killaloe
! and Dean O'Shaughnessy, of Ennis, though Oh
the list of his greatest friends-refused him
their votes. He suddenly retired to Darrynane
and, shutting himself up for q couple of days
struck out the plan of that campaign which
| then doomed so doubtful and dspiriting, but
| which became for all time moral AusteriitZ
He issued his address; it was masterpiece o.
eloguence grave, but clear and bold as the cal
| of trumpet. He summoned Thomas Steele, o.
| Callane, and O'Gorman Mahon, of Strasburgh-
both Clare men, who were greatly attached t.
| him, and ma gistrates of the county-to his side
| and with these and his son Maurice, and nc
companied by his cousin Charles O'Connell, OF
Ennis, who was his solicitor, entered upon ;
short canvass of the pcasant'y of the county.
His fame as leader and founder OF the Catho
| lie Association, the man of the people, ant
unceasing advocate of their rights from ever
before the passing of the act of Union, ha.
travelled over every hill aud valley i'll the island
| Numerous were the triumphs he mad achieved
over successive Ministries, who sought to pu
down s-agitation. He Knocked them, carica
! tured them, laughed at them. declaring Their
was little talent IN the Bar OF Engiahd, Lh;'
g there was no act of Parliament they hat
the capacity of framing through which he coul'
not drive a coach-and-six." They forbade b.
proclamation his political meetings, and mad
attendance at them punishable by law. ii
summoned his friends to meet him at a break
fast and reporters being present. his dehahcia
tons of the Government, more bitter and
sive than before, were'carrled TO every ntesiu .
made to put him down. His scorn OF each III
.liridual member of the Cabinet was, if eve
scorn could be SO, sublime. Nature had no
given Wellington, physically or intellectuaii!
, q capacity above that of n . stunted corporal
In historical fact he was the chance VICTOR
, Waterloo. Peel, the aristocrat-save the marx
was i'll sober truth cotton-spinners sou, Wht
for a title and high company, left the ranks
, the people from whom he sprang-a Brumm'
GEM arstocrat. The soubriquets OConnell d.
stowed stuck, and became familiar IN men
: | mouths as household words" The police fort
| of Ireland then constituted by Peel, ne calle
= Peelers and that remains theirnaIne IN lrelan
], to this day. .,,ox-io,,s,
q deemed inyulnerable from the height and col
, tipuity to the throne, he examined, ANALYSED
e and ridiculed with freedom and breaath
!. mower which lifted him, morally and lntelect
II ally above the authorities whose shortcomni
q he exuosed. Hearts which still felt the woun'
n | of ,9S and painted secretly for entire Ifee4o
" from English rule, as we'll as the liberal fr
y tastants and Roman Catholics, who wouldhg
- onIv within the lines of the constitution, equal
+ found in him what seemed an inspired ana
# faIlible mouthpiece Wisdom and holiness q
~ nnared TO have been never so united before
n Seemed to be- and he really was at tins TIN
,f irresistible. His energies knew no Wearliie'
If reouired no rest. Besides bearing the wnI
NJ weight of the Catholic Association, ike Atl'
!" ON I;s shoulders, initiating everything, carr
- M nycrvthinp to its conclusion, he conduct
If a personal correspondence with the clergy a
ID bishops of Ireland, to whom he was legai u
n | viser on all matters, which OF Itself wouio Ia
o. crashed any other man. Notwithstanding,
& the -Four Courts of Dublin, from tine NOME
~ the iudpes sat till they rose, he was lncessah
d. engaged in the legal conflicts OF thsse cout
m while he paused in crossing tne p bal 70 o f,I
ry advocacy of cause in Common fieas W hui