The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-06
The C'Connell Centenary.
tDubla Nation, Nov. al

The proposal to celebrate the centenar,
ofthe birth of O'ConneTl by great publ,
demonstration 10 the capital of Ireland, il
one which will meet with a hearty accept
ance from the Irieh race. O'Connell wal
worthy OF the honor; and gratitude te
those who loved and served their country
is characteristic of the Irish people. The
summon therefore, to q national demon.
straoion in Dublin to honor the memory oil
OConnell will not fall on needless ears il
will be heard and needed by the children
OF Ireland in all parts of the world be-
meath the sun of India, in the crowded
cities and in the backwoods of America, in
the clearipgs of the New Zealand jungle,
aud amid the fiourishing settlements of
Australia, Irish hearts will threb in sympa-
thy with that appeal; and when the
glorious month of August is next glowing
| upon "the fair hills of holy Ireland" many
loving son of this old land will be spread
ing over the sea from many regions of the
world. "homeward bound"
As the emancipator of the Irish Cetho-
lies from the bondage of the penal laws,
O'Connell earned the eternal gratitude not
only of Irish Catholics. but of the Catho-
lies of all countries. But in tie fortbcom-
ing movement, SO far as the Irish race are
concerned, there will be much more than
an expression of a grateful remem brance of
favors conferred. To honor success comes
easy to most people; it is a higher thing to
but did net achieve 1t. O'Cornell repealed the
penal laws which fettered his co-religion-
lists be strove to repeal another law which
destroyed the independence of his country.
To this good service he devoted the greater
portion of his public life, and Irishmen
cannot think the merit Of his patriotic
labor lessened by the facts that a COM
bination of unfavorable circumstances put
q temporary check to the progress of his
cauee, and that while it was still in gloom
and shadow his eyes were closed forever.
That cause is still dear to the Irish race |
for its Advancement they are not marsbailed
IN great organization; in furtherance
they have reason to hope, will ere long DO |
crowned with victory. What can be more |
lifting than that while engaged in acting |
upon his principles aud following out bis |
great designs they should, en- 30 fitting IN |
occasion as that which lie now approaching, |
assemble to pay a public tribute of love,
respect, and veneration to the undyius |
memory of O'Connellf
A fitting deed it will assHredly be to |
celebrate this approaching anniversary |
with oil the pomp, aud splendor, and dig |
lity the Irish race can confer upon it. In /
40 narrow spirit should any part of the |
ceremonial be conceived. Ths invitation
If the conmittee rs rightly ad dressed to
he Irish race and the friends of freedom
throughout the world. Let, then, the
cope of the proceedings be such az every
riend of freedom can approve of-let there
'e room within their range for every man
Who desires to see Ireland that which
)Connell strove to make her-'& great,
,lorious, and Free" OF course the honors
# the day swilA.cpmmence with religions
ervices on the affairs which he emancipated,
'ut when those holy rites are done the
popular portion of the celebration should
70 open to the participation OF Irishnaen of
III creeds and closes. no cliaue or party
hould attempt to make it square with
heir own narrow views or timid notions
should be broad, strong, aud bold as the
IRISH race. We have fear indeed that
my endeaver will be made to give q less
ioble aspect to what we feel confdens will
70 one of the most remarkable aemoRetra-
ions ever made by the Irish people. The
Iddress which gives the summons to THE
treat reunion of the sons of ireland, if not
II that conld be wished from, a merely I
literary point of view, is, however, in a right
pirit, and being SO, will toach tho hearts of
he faithful people for whom, in all parts of
he globe, it is intended. At bone and
broad the call will be oheyed frous the
cry sends of the earth " it will be an
wered and the 9th of August, 1875, will
,ecome o memorable date in the ANNALS of
he Irish nation.
Mr. Salvador, director of the Geological
Garden of GheriZech, in Egypt has dis