The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-02-12
A Moral for Our Rulers.

The scene which took place in Queens.
town and its harbor during the course nj
| sunday last was one of rare interest and
peculiar value to the mind of the political
observer. If any man be wishful to test
this statement-to try it's truth and resolve
Jus accuracy IN the court of his impartial
conference.-the means to do SO are read
In his own hands. Let him ask himself one
question: What occasion caused that
scene and then let him well consider the
reply, for but one reply is possible to men
VINO have any regard for truth The course
winch we thus commend to other inouirers
10 the course which we now adopt ourselves
What was the occasion of the scene of
sunday 1t was this: Five men-fve
lrishmeh-who had been condemned nv
process of British law for 'treason felony i
charged against them because that t6ev
had planned and dared to change the avs.
t te;n o! political rule which at present OBJ
talns in lreland-ive "felons," who had
suffered for the length of weary years the
pains OF imprisonment, the horrors of Jail
despotlsm-were now, by virtue of n MARI
Ell and blemished clemeney, to come ont
OF prison but that they might 60 into ex-
ne. And SO it was indeed decreed. If the
ty walls of Chatham or of Woking the,
should be at least the thousand leaSues Of
the Atlantic. "e' VI
ana now that we have clearly stated the
occasion, 1t is time that we should glance
at the result. What was it7 Did the ex-
ned pass along by silent shores-them
selves, their sutferings, and their fate for.
gottenf Had the "felon" cause to shrinl,
away In shame and close their ears in fierce
auu oitter anger against the hootings of q
multitude who felt that the heavy pnnish-
menu which they had suffered had been
ricn!y merlted by their "crime3" Far 9th
erwlse 1T was. They found-these ufeIonsn
that their so-called crime had given them
heroic honor, that their privations, their
suuerlpgs, and at last their exile, had won
lor tnem the fame and love that the toppue
ana heart OF grateful people give to men
VINO lace the peril and endure the pain of
standing by peoples cause. From shore
and sea the multitudinous cheer. the Chez |
that both gave welcome and babe farewell
rang out with scarce q moments pause |
i no quay was black with the assembled |
thousands Steamers and boats bore crowds |
beside the Cuba, and true heart-greetings
were gwen, and the passionate utterance of |
ron -lelt hopes was mingled with the flow
OF tears-such tears as need NOT shame
nero: Sweet strains of Irish music lifted
up the hearts of those who were going far
from Ireland and what with bands and
and gifts, and cheering crowds
inu welcomes and adieus, and deputations
comprising members of the MunicipaI
bodies both of Cork and Queenstown). the
seeene was one to induce reflection and
lohs remembrance, as political ovation
developed out of a sudden and absolutely
spontaneous impulse.
II he addresses which were delivered nv
nc various populations put faithfully in
o words the cheers of thousands who were
PRESENT there, and the thoughts of millions
VINO were there in spirit only. The adj
!ress OF tue people of Cork assured the ex-
les that they ''would gladly welcome them
lome as heroes, and clasp their hands as
ince they could not be with Ireland. Ire,
and would be with them-would watch
heir paths in exile with anxious solicitude.
ma ardently long for the day to come when
ne could welcome their return. 1t cele-
'rated their heroism, their peerless self