The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1873-03-09
fCondensed from the Catholic Review.l
soGGARTH ARoON."
HIS PEOPLES FAREWELL TO FATHER TOM
BURKE" Or.


Father Burke, whose recall to Rome was
announced few weeks since, embarked
on board the Inman steamer City of Paris
on the 22d inst, amid the universal express
sions of regret which were heard on all
which the reverend gentleman received
many preparations which were to have
been made, both by Brooklyn and New
York organizations, could not be compile
ted, but, Notwithstanding this draw back,
he received an ovation seldom, if ever
rendered to any public man who has left our
shores.
Though the steamer City of Paris was
not advertised to leave until one o'clock p.
NJ, for fully two hours previous to that
time the pier of the Inman line, as we'll as
at Castle Garden where the excursion boat
William Fletcher was stationed, thousands
of people were present, all anxious to OBJ
tain glimpse of the great Dominican, and
to listen to his words of farewell. Shortly
after eleven o'clock, Father Burke, in COM
pany with Father Lilly, who also visits
Rome, entered the Castle Garden gate,
erty, who conducted them to the excursion
steamer laying at the end of the pier. No
sooner had the disting guished visitors ar
rived, than general rush was made by
the guests already collected, aud for fully
fifteen minutes hand shaking was the or
u0T OI Iu0 uay, ana aCueT DuTkS WAS suo
recipient OF many compliments on his ap-
pearance of returning health. Notwith-
standing the great ordeal he has passed
through was clearly visible upon his fea-
lures, he appeared to be in the best OF
spirits, and set aside all fears entertained
by his friends, by relating number Of
pleasant anecdotes, which, it is needless to
say, were received by those around him
with appreciation, though they tended to
make bis listeners feel sadder when they
thought of his near departure. At half
past eleven the excursion steamer cast on
her lines, and was soon steamiDg up the
river amid the widest enthusiasm from
the thousands who were ON shore, and who
gave vent to their feelings by cheering and
waving their hats. The sight, which was
a grand one, was witnessed by Father
Burke in silence, and, standing on the
deck, with his head partially uncovered, as
a recognition of tue honor paid to him on
shore, he gazed upon the vast multitude In
silence, and seemed to regret his departure
as much as they did. The temperature
was below zero, but he stood on the after
part of the vessel, robed in his great Irish
freize coat. and gazed with admiration at
the long line of shipping tastefully dressed
with bunting, and in every case affordlng
a prominent position to the green flag. The
ferry boats and river steamers, as they
passed the excursiohsts, sounded their
steam whistles in honor of the grand event
which salute was answercd 10y the William
Fletcher. The temperature, which was
deemed too sewers for Father Burke, in
duced those around him to invite him into
the reception room of the boat, where,
with the closest attention, everybody lis
tened to his flow of wit and humer. The
mention of his near departure seemed to
be the only thing which gave him pain.
At precisely twelve o'clock the excur-
sionists arrived at the Inman pier and
when every ything was in readiness gang
plank was placed from the steamer to the
dock. and Father Burke, with the agility
of a man from Galway" passed over it. The
appearance of Father Burke on the Inman
pier, was the signal for the widest enthu-
siasnl, and for period of five minutes,
cheer after cheer was given. AS soon as
Father Burke had fairly landed on shore,
the band of St. Vincent Ferrer's Temper
ance Society saluted him with "See the
Corquering Hero Comes" which honor he
recognized by raising his hat. and then
passed on board the steamer. After resting
himself he went on deck, where he was
joined by large number of clergymen
and delegates from the Emerald and other
societies of Brooklyn.
From the address of the Brooklyn Socio-
ties which was here read by the very able
editor of the Catholic Reriep, Mr.. p. V.
Hickey, We take the following eloquent
passage
The question has been asked " who is
the man, and what is his power, that these
millions hang on his lips, and his people are
bound to him by an affection such as they
have bestowed on no other Irishman of
chis age Z"
Cannot zoe, here, ans,Cer that question ?
We salute him as glory of our race, of
the great priesthood of our Church, as one
who during his short stay in America has,
with surprising eloquence and indefatige
BILE zeal, increased our devotion to the land
of our fathers, which claims him amongst
her most iilust,ious sons, and to our own
land, which woEld gladly claim him as her
adopted child, but above all to our mother |
Church and to it's glorious and suffering |
Head.
We entertain profound affection for |
him personally, we love his Onastic char
acter, we admire his splendid talents-tal-
ents which have gained ten-fold for the
glory of the Church, the honor of Catholic |
ireland and the fame of his illustriOus Or
der, so dear to Ireland and the Church
talents which he has employed, net to
bring pecuDiary profit to himself or to his
order, but to secure substantial aid for !
works of Catholic charity, to instr0e. /