National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-30

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the Inducements to- prevent the abolition q
slavery. The negroes would certainly smell at
least as sweet when free as they do now being
Slaves
Continuing, he asks: ''Haye you enough Of the
genuine Irishman among you to ask what II 10 We
require you to do? 1t is this;
"Elrst, We call upon you II the sacred name OF
humanity never again to volunteer on behalf OF
the oppressor, even for selLinterest to Ttndi-
cate the hideous crime OF personal slavery.
s'Seeondly, We ask you to assist In every way
you can in promoting the education OF the iree
man Of color, and in misunderstanding the foolish
feeling Of selshness, Of that criminal selhshness
which makes the white man treat the man Of
color as degraded or inferior being.
Thirdly, We ask you 70 assist In obtaining Tor
the free men Of color the full benefit 81 all the
rights and franchises Of freeman in whatever
State he may inhabit-
"Fourthly, We ask you 70 exert yourselves IN
every case me benefit Of trial BY jury, and sspe-
cially where man, insisting that he is freeman,
SFiIthIy' we ask You TO exert yourselves In
every possible way to induce ElaVe-oWners to
emancipate as many slaves as possible.
the ways you possibly can to put AN end to the
internal sIaVe-trade Of the States.
"Seventhly, We ask you to use every exertion
in your power to procure the abolition OF slavery
by the Congress IN the District Of Columbia.
"Eighthly, We ask you to use your best exer-
tions 10 compel the Congress to receive and read
the netitions Of the Wretched negroes and above
all the petitions Of their white advocates.
"Ninfhly,we askyou never to cease your efforts
cused the Irish in America, 'of being the worst
enemies Of the men Of color shall be atoned for
and blotted out and efaeed forever"
He dHells then upon the duty OF the Catholics
and Of the Catholic clergy, holding that "the
Catholic clergy may endure, but they assuredly
indeed. heard II said that some Catholic clergy,
men have slaves Of their own, but II IS added and
we are assured positively that no Irish Catholic
Cathoiic knows how distinctly slayeholdlng, and
especially slaTe-tradtng, Is
CONDEMNED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
That most eminent man, His Holiness, the pres
emit Pope, has, BY an allooutt9n, published
and traf1e in slaves. Nothing can be more dis
tinct nor more powerful than the Pope's denun-
citation of that most abominable crime. Yet It
subsists in a more abominabIe form than HIS
Holiness could possibly describe, in the trafic
which still exists in the sale Of slaves from one
we to think Of you, Irish Catholics, who send us
an elaborate Vindication Of slavery without the
slightest censure Of that hateful crime-a crime
which the Pope has so completely condemned
namely, the diabolical raising Of slaves for SALE
and selling them to other States?"
He adds: ave conclude by conJuring you, and
all other lrishmen in America, In the name Of
your fatherland, in the name Of humanity, in the
name of the God Of mercy and charity, we con-
lure you, lrishmen and descendants Of lrishmer,
to abandon forever all defence Of the hideous ne
gro slavery system. Let 1t no more be said that
your feelings are made so Obtuse by the air Of
America that you cannot feel, as Catholics and
Christians ought to feel, this truth-the plain
truth-that one man cannot have any property in
another man. There is not one Of you who does
not recognize that principle in his own person;
yet we perceiye-and this agonizes US almost to
madness-that you, bOasting an Irish descent,
should, without the instigation Of any Pecuniary
single love of Wickedness and crime come for
ward as the volunteer defenders Of the most de-
grading species Of human slavery"
OConnell's opposition to slavery was positive,
stern, Incorporating, allowing no excuse or
palliation. He refused even to take the hand Of
an American who was not opposed to the institu-
ton. Robert Purvis, esq, one OF our most distin-
guished colored Americans, an old abolitionist Of
consistent and useful record, wrote me letter on
the 18th instant, from which take these words:
I'lt was my good fortune while IN England to
meet lreland's great liberator, Daniel OCOnnell.
The interview occurred at the House Of Com
MONS. Upon being introduced to him as an
American gentleman, he declined taking my
hand. WhereupOn my friend, John Scoble, esq.,,
ito whom was indebted for the Introductory,
upon seeing this, Immediately said: Mr.. Purvis
is abolitOnist, and is also Identified with the
oppressed race of the United States Mr.. U'Cou-
nell instantly advanced toward me, and taking
my hand in his shook 1t warmly, saying: Il will
never take the hand Of an American, nor should
any honest man in this country do so, unless as
sured that he is opposed to the aeeursed system
Of chattel slaYery.'n
The words of the address OF O'OonnelI referred
to, written in 1913, sound even now as wise coun-
SELL earnest paternal exhortation to the Irish ct-
liens Of America, being unmindfuI Of the past,
solicitous only for the future to unite with the
once enslaVed and DISTINGUISHED colOred Ameri-
VI,
fraternal and patriotic purpose, and endeayor to
put our Government and laws In harmony with
that doctrine of our Declaration, the equality Of
formed and built our political fabric as upon the
rock. 1t is well If such purposes animate the
heart of the Irishman; If these classes, so sim
ing, so alike In duty and destiny, under American
law, unite in such endeaY0r.
My opinion Of
o'coNNELL AS AN ORATOR
is sufficiently indicated already 1t Will be con-
coded that the world has seen few ADLER, more
skillful and powerful popular orators than he.
John Randolph called him the finest orator in
Europe. Possessing rare native Vigor Of mind its
powers disciplined by complete education; his
memory filled with varied and large knowledge
of men and things his imagination buoyant and
elastic; his logic, his hgIor his inysctiye, his
voice, the power and manner Of an actor, he was
Irresistible, and, in many respects, Incompatible
An American writer says Of him that "every
chord Of the human bosom lay open to his touch,
and he played upon Its passions aud emotions with
q masters hand. He could subdue his hearers to
tears by his pathos or toss them with laughter by
his humor. His Imagination could bear them to
giddy height on its elastic wing, he could en-
chain their Judgment BY the strong links OF his
logic. He could blaneh their cheeks as he paint
ed before their eyes some atrocity red with blood
or he could make them hold their sides as he re-
lated some broad Irish anecdOte fresh from Cork"
O'Connell was indeed an orator Of WOndrous,
marvellous power, and It all he dedicated to
Truth, Freedom and Justice. 1t Is as the de-
for them in forum, Parliament, or in popular
assembly emancipation and freedom of con-
science; as the advocate and expounder Of propo-
sitions Of governmental reform in the interest Of
his countrymen; as the champion Of British and
American abolitionism, insisting upon liberty
and equal rights for the negrO-that HIS oratorical
power appears in It's most Respondent character,
dazzling our vision.
But MUST CONCLUDE.
Such, too briefly and imperfectly described are
the qualities Of character, the transcendent pow
ers and the beneficent achievements Of kim who
stands in history hgure Of light, full-orbed and
radiant, the best type and representative OF the
Irish name, the benefactOr Of mankind.
In my youth read and was moved and deeply
impressed by the words with which conclude
my address. Henry b. Stanton, esq, dwelling
upon the fact that demand was made finally
that the National Repeal Association repudiate
the nonresident doctrine Of O'Connell, says:
The alienation Of large numbers OF his friends
overtaking him when HIS powers were impaired
by years Of exhausting toll, broke the spirit Of
the old man. undermined HIS constitution, and
compelled him to repair TO the continent to resus-
citate bis waning health and dropping heart.
But he left the field Of action too late. His ener
giles rapidly declined death overlook him while on
his weary pilgrimage; his eye saw the sun for the
last time in foreign sky; and he slept his final
and from that ocean by whose side his cradle was
rocked. The stroke that felled him 70 the earth
sent paDg through many heart In every coun-
try where humanity has q dwelling place; for his
sympathies, like his reputation, were world wide.
He had delivered his own countrymen from the
DOnds OIL ECCLESIASTICAL tyranny ana naQ piead
for the victims Of hellish traic on the shores Of
Africa, for the swarthy surfs Of British cupidity
on the banks Of the Gauges, for the prosecuted
Jews Of ancient Damascus, and for the stricken
slaves in the isles Of the Caribbean sea and in
the distant States Of America
ReQuiescat in pace Let him rest in peace !
His name is immortal-the priceless, enduring
heritage Of mankind.
FULL DRESS COATS,
for receptions and New Year calls, S13 and up
ward, al A. SAKs & Co.'s,
3l6 Seventh street.