The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-30
THE OCONNELL CENTENNIAL.
Preparations for It's Celebra-
ton in New York.
VIEWS OF PROMINENT freshmen.
The Liberator's Services to His
Native Country.

societies OF New York deferred 10 a late nav
making the requisite arrangements for the cele-
brauon, on an imposing and becoming scale, of
the Centennial OF the birth OF Daniel O'Connell.
one OF the greatest men, as an orator, advocate
and statesman, Ireland has ever produced the
one grand achievement or mis- lie, the abrogation
of cruel penal laws and the emancipation OF his
coregonists In the British Empire, justly titles
HIM to the gratitude OF his countrymen and
makes it obligatory on them to pay the fullest
honors TO his memory o'Conneh was born on
the 9th of August, IT'S, and consequently the
Cen 'ennial or hundredth anniversary, Of his
BIRTH occurs next Friday. In Ireland the occa-
sion Will be one of high festival. From every city
and town In the Green Isle, from numerous COM
munities In England and Scotland, from the
British colonies and from the United states dele
gates have proceeded TO Dublin TO participate in
the ceremonies that are take place IN that cap
ltal, and which are to continue three days. In
the principal cities OF the Union the Centenary
will be observed by professions, orations, games,
sports, &c. and It may be considered a little re-
markable that the Irish residents OF New York
have not been up and doing long before the pres
emf time.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN NEW YORK.
The Convention OF Irish Societies have had
several mettlngs in reference to the subject but
as yet no definite programme has been arranged.
pointed some time since committee TO consult
in reference TO the matter, and an agreement was
reached that concerted action would be taken.
The ST. PatrcKis Association met on Tuesday last
and pledged itself TO make every exertlon to for
ward the undertaking; and 1t is understood that
the Ancient Order OF HDernians, the Father
Mathew and other temperance societies. the
Irish military and civic organizations are most
DESTROYS to join in the celebration For severaI
good reasons there VIII be no procession. 1t is
proposed however, that grand demonstration
shall take place in the Cooper Institute, at which
an Grafton will be delivered on 'The Life and
Services OF o'Connell" by some eminent citizen
who will be acceptable TO all classes. The
orator Will be selected at q meeting or the
Irish Convention this evening Mr.. Richard
O'Gorman was nrst thought OF to perform what
would be to him pleasing task but that gentle
men was secured to discharge that service In
Brooklyn. Mr.. Wendell Phillips, according to q
note from that distinguished speaker, published
in yesterdays HERALD. has accepted an invitation
address the Irish citizens OF Boston on the 9th
prox., and the Convention is now left to make a
selection. Among those suggested are Hon. John
R. Brady, Hon A. Oakley Hall, Rev. DR.. McGlynn.
Hon. A. r. Lawrence, Hon. Fernando wood, Hon.
John McKeon, Hon. Algernon S. Sullivan, Hon.
Charles O'Conor ana. Hon. W. II. Roberts A re-
porter OF the HERALD visited the most prominent
members of the various Irish societies yesterday
VITA the purpose OF learning their views. The re-
suit is herewith glven:-
THE IRISH CONVENTION.
Mr. Thomas KerrlRan, President OF the Irish
Convention, said that tue various societies were
now engaged In making suitable arrangements
Tor tue celebration. He mad mad conversations
with quite number Of the on1cers or the Ancient
Order OF HiDernlans the temperance and the
benevolent societies. and also with the officers OF
cheerfuliy and promised TO leave no stone un-
turned TO make the demonstration grand sue
cess. There was no dlssension. but, on the other
hand, most commendable spirit was manifested
to pay the fullest honors TO the memory OF 0'Con-
nell some SaPasny ana mas been SHOWN but ne
now infused into the movement would carry mat
tiers through TO gratifying result. Mr.. Kerhgan
regarded O'Connell as patriot who had achieved
nore practical benefits Tor his native land than
a score OF other distinguished Irishmen whom he
could name, and he thought IL was great MIS-
fortune that when he died some equally able,
devoted and intrepid leader was not forthcoming
to fill his pace. Had there been Ireland would
have been better OF to-day. The Rebellion OF 1898
was scarcely quened when Ooonnell aap,
ood OF aSntess GnIteS 1 isnme ee
.wno rose against the worst description OF
oppression and WHO persisted in the
crisis mad come IN the destiny OF his country and
he was the man TO meet IL. He was the only
man. Curran, as an advocate, had bravely done
his melancholy DUTY, ana there was no more that
he could do. Grattan, as a Senator, was not
SILENT but he was dsneartened. But had both
been In their prime OF genus and hope neither of
them had the fitness for the mission OF 0'Uonne.
Inc millions for WROm the battle fought
Roman Catholics IL was therefore meet that the
leader who commanded them should be one OF
themselves, and O'Connell was tae greatest
Roman Catholic genius who had yet arisen In Ire
land since the sege Of Limerick. His exertions
were not confined TO professors or his own faith.
He fought equally and as energetlcaly for the
rights or Protestant dissenters and later for the
removal OF the disabilities OF the Jews The
memory OF such a man, who acnIeved Catholic
emancipation deserves the highest nonors. The
city OF New YORK would not be true 10 itself II
the occasion was allowed TO pass without a gen.
The irish societies. numbering 1ftg-twO, Mr.. Kerr
rgan remarked, would be derelict in their obl-
cations II the Centennial was NOS celebrated III
THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
Mr.. e. l. Carey who represents the temperance
societies OF the city, while reSretting that steps
had not been taken earlier in the matter, stlll
thought that the celebration In New York would
be credltaDle, but still It would not be on such an
imposing scale as the anniversary deserved. He
had made every effort TO enlist the active interest
and participation OF all the Irish organizations,
but, as no definite programme mad yet been ar
ranged. unusual exertions were needed TO COM
plete ARRANGEMENTS for Friday next Mr.. Carey
had consulted win the officers OF the Sixty-nInth
regiment and they promised to join heartily in the
ceremonies. Let the political condition OF Ire
LAND as 0'COnnell found 1t be contrasted with the
political condition OF ireland he lefC 1t and IL
will be seen how grand and successful were mis-
services. He found an oligarchy that seemed un-
approachabe In the height Of its ascendency, i'm
pregnaDe In the strength OF It's position; ne con.
fronted It's arrogance, defed It's power, pulled
down It's pride, swept away It's privileges, and
ground Its monopoly into atoms. He found the
found the middle class tlmid and dependent, he
stirred them into courage-he raised them into
citizens; he found the Catholic aristocracy
tmeservers or iders, and he snamed them into
dignity. Every Catholic, nigh or humble, as Dr.
Giles remarks, had been made an alien IN Dls own
native Ireland; 0'Connell restored him TO his
place In the common wealth, aud II he did not
arouse or care TO arouse the spirit OF national IN
dependence he did very enectualy that OF per-
sonal and political Independence. After long
sleep OF submission he Jailed up millions to the
desire OF freedom. surely this Tor one man was
good work. Mr.. carey confidently hoped that IN the
metropolis OF the American Continent the demon
stratiOn next Friday will be July equal to the oe
caslon. There Is hardly another man OF Irish
birth who deserves better OF his race. lis SER
vices were PRICELESS and will never be forgotten
In city like New York the anniversary should be
nonored not alone by his own country men, but BY
people OF all nations ana oil creedR. He was the
steadlast champion IN the English Parliament OF
the rights OF tue Jews; he warmly espoused the
cause OF the unhappy Poles, and wherever human
rights were attacked or tramped upon his elo-
quent voice and powerful advocacy were TO be
heard.
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