The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-11
rHH IRISH EMANCIPAToR.
Wendell Phiiiips on the Great Work Accom-
plished By Daniel O'Connsii.

The. Rev. Father Duffy last night intro
duced Wendell Phillips to crowded audience In
the large hall OF tho Cooper Union. with the
words, " who could better utter the eulozy on
Daniel O'Connell. the Irish emancipator, than
Wendell Phillips, the American agitatorf
Mr.. Phillips wasted no words 10 introducing
the subject Of his address, but entered at once
into a close analysis OF O'Connells character.
and recital Of the various beneficial results Of
bis wonderful power working In the direction
OF universal good. The last two centuries, said
the speaker, have produced gifted orators, de-
voted patriots, and great statesmen. but at the
head OF the list 1 do not hesitate to place the
name Of o'Connell. To mould the present and
TO command the future is to be statesman. and
o'ConneIl. like Luther, was the inventor Of bis
own machinery. He found Ireland jargon Of
conflicting sects. broken hearted. despondent,
and | may say, seryile. Out OF these disn-
teRrated elements he created a nation. The
nationality he created has thrown its weight into
the ballot box. ana has dragged England down
20 be second-rete power OF the chess board Of
Europe. Hts great merit Ia that he m ade Ireland
nation. She had been brought into the arena
OF English politics hardy suppllant. Grattan
dragged her down aeain. what OConnell did
was To life her up and place her In position
SON and BIsmarck stand deserTediy high az re-
modellers Of States but above them In the ex-
ercise OF foresight, judgment, courage. and pru-
fairly only by comparing his work with that
done ny those who preceded hin.
Where l. Ireland nowi She Is not wholly re-
deemed. not wholly regenerated, but she has
the destiny OF her future In her own hands.
O'Conneli gave into her keeping the key Of her
destiny. He created public opinion, excited the
sytupafhies OF the world In her behalf, and COM
PEELED her tyrants to do her Justice. He was
deserted by the powerful. the nobility, and even
the Clergy, and had only the four millions of
ignorant peasants at hts back; but he said, ~
will forge out OF this element nation" And
now, a. shackle after shackle falls from tho
limbs OF Ireland, OConnell c an say. "Tbe vio-
tory IL mine" He discovered In the people the
elements OF hidden power; he moulded them
into shape; he waited for Ignorance to grow
wise, for prejudice to soften, for principle TO
strengthen, and when the whole mass was
welded into single weapon he marched upon
London and lifted the Irishman into the r .rlia-
ment OF Great Britain.
"Liber- tor Is not his greatest title. BY lib
Grating Ireland he gained the gratitude OF his
people but he was the great 3gititor" whose
life work has endeared his memory to millions.
His agitation was his tool, and the tool was
greater than the work. That the English peas
ant no longer Gays tax uDon bread Is due to
OConnell that he has voice 10 the Govern
ment he owes to the Irish acttator; that $1,000
slaves 10 the British West Indies we're set free Is
owing to O'Connell as much A. to those who
stood with him and better still 10 O'Connell
Ireland owes the honor OF having been married
to the great n forms Of the age.
The proceeds OF the lecture last night were
applied to the various charities under the direc-
ton OF the Society Of st. Vincent de Paul.