National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-04-02
APPROPRIATE RESOLUTIONS PASSED.
Interesting "Reminiscences Related
Remarks of Mr.. John ID. MeGIll,
J. d. O'COnnell and Others
Important Suggestions by
an Old Friend Of the
Dead Patriot.

/ a
last evening at Association hall, over N. H.
| Shea's store, on Pennsylvania avenue, between
| Sixth and Seventh streets. Those who have been
active in the cause Of Ireland in the past and who
| still cherish the hope that at some day, not far
Distant their efforts In the cause Of their country
will be crowned with success, turned out last night
| TO pay tribute of respect to the memory Of John
| Mitchell.
At SIS Mr.. D. A. Brosnsn called the meeting
| to order, and nominated Mr.. John F. Ennis as
| chairman, who was unanimously elected
| Mr.. Ennis, in accepting the position, said: Ny
| friends and felloW-lovers OF John Mitchell THANK
| you for the honor you have conferred on me by
| electing me chairman OF this meeting. While
| the honor could have been conferred on some one
| more competent, there is no one present tonight
who loved the departed patriot more sincerely or
who had q higher appreciation Of his worth as
| man than / had. He has gone, and his body rests
in the land he loved so we'll. Tonight, as we are
! memory of departed worth. call to mind those
| grand words that Smith O'Brien sent out from
bis prison cell when threatened with execution by
| the British Government:
whether on the scaGOId high or in the battles
| van,
The httest place for man to die is where he dies
| for man."
Mr. Ennis closed by saying that as there were
| others present who wished to address the meet
ing on the subject for which they met he would
| not make any lengthy remarks.
| Mr. John Moran was then elected secretary.
Mr.. J. D. McGil moved that a committee OF
three be appointed to draft suitable resolutions,
| which was adopted, and Messrs. J. d. MeGlll
| Edmund J. Maliet and VIM. Dickson were an,
pointed on the committee, who in a short time
| reported the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS:
| The death OF John Mitchell on the morning of
| the goth of March last, in the land he loved 50
well, and for which he sacrificed everything. even
life ITSELF is greatly to be deplored, especially at
| this time, when he was so theoretically engaged
in demonstrating the world the ruthlessness of
the invaders grasp upon his country. For thirty
Years he Iabored continually for its freedom feel
ing always that the soil was in alien hands; that
| it was drained of its substance by absenteesm
caused by cruel laws, and impoverished BY in
iquitous taxation; and he steadily insisted, with
| never-ceasing energy, that ireland belongs of
right to the Irish. He was emphatically a repre-
sentative man. Of Roman fOrtitude, and as true
to his principles as is the needle to the pole.
| Therefore,
| lineage at the capital of the American Republic
| in common with all others who appreciate truth,
| valor and worth lament the death OF John
Mitchell, the great Irish patriot. HIS extraor-
binary and noble qualities Of head and heart en-
deared him to millions throughout the world,
and his sheer honesty, straightforwardness and
| iBpatence Of cant and hypocrisy have invaria-
| bly, won for him the highest admiration.
| Resolved, That his persistent endeayors to res
| cue the land Of his birth from the dominatioo of
the alien oppressor have already been fruitful of
good results for not only has his spotless career
tended to heal all divisions and cement in bonds
| Of fraternity his common cOuntrymen, but his
presence in the land that bore him so frightened
The enemy in his stronghold as to induce that
the British Premier, who was once characterized
by Daniel O'Connell as "a lneal descendant CT
the impenitent thief on the Cross" to urge in
needless and indecent haste the ineligibllity Of
John Mitchell to a seat In Parliament which he
| never intended TO occupy.
Resolred, That in the demise of this fearless
advocate of right, this supreme hater Of wrong,
this scholarly gentleman and this Warm-he
friend, We recognize the great loss sustained by
the weak struggling against the strong, of the
poor against the rich and eT truth against error
though panoplied to the teeth and seemingly
saDcthed by long ages.
ResoIred, That we tender to the family Of the
dead patriot cur heartfelt condolences in this
their irreparable bereavement, and that the
secretary be direbted to transmit to them a COPY
or these resolutions,
REMARKS OF Mr.. MGILL
Mr.. McGill moved the adoption of the resolu-
lions and said: As you are aware, Mr.. Chairman
very rarely mingle in public gatherings Of any
kind: hut on so solemn an occasion as the present.
to pay due respect to the memory of John
Mitchell, the duty TO be here lie imperative
Hence,
For the cause that lacks assistance
For the wrong that needs resistance,
For the future in the distance.
And the good that can do"
l am with you heart and soul this evening to
honor the dead patriot whose glorious career was
devoted to the RmelioratiOn Of the condition Of
Ireland The tidings of his death have been
eyeryESffs received with profound regret, aud
very naturally SO, became men ielt that brave,
generous and noble spirit We nQblest Roman
OF them all'-had departed from among US Tor
ever.
John MitcheTs sympathies were as broad and
comprehensive as his detestation of tyranny was
unyielting and inPlacable. As recall TO mind
re2Tapee thirty years ago-he always seemed 10
he, whether In youth or age, with bis 1.-THE
frame, keen, quick eye, beaming countenauce and
classic mould, the very embodiment OF the Irish
Celt, hurting defiance at the Saxon invader
Though gentle and sympathetic, he was yet brave
10 know that an alien dominated the fair land
that bore his, he became FESTIVE over the usur-
R1 Sfe Hb . Ta his u gtGT h.
made the despot quake for fear aud won the ad-
miratioR OF all just men for the Intrepid manne-
In which he dealt with the common enemy, us
felt, with the Amerlcan poet; that
"IfWe do bit watch Tie hour,
There never yet was human power
That could escape, If unforgiveD,
The patient search and Vigils long
VI nm who treasures up n wrong"
An who shall say that even In this generation
Justice may not be wrecked on Ireland's oppress-
ors? Have we not here in this western World
a New Ireland, more numerous by birth and de-
scent than the present population OF the Emerald
Isle? Are they not, thanks to the free air which
they breathe, more powerful than those they LETT
realize their power, and, as an avenging Nemesis,
for the centuries of cruelty which she has prac-
| ticed on suffering Erin. The late Daniel OCon-
40 Erin! shall it e'er be mine
To right thy wrongs In battle line;
| To raise thy victor head, and see
Thy hills, thy dRles, thy people free?
That last request is all crave
Between my cradle and my grave"
This boon was not, however, yOuchsaled to the
| Irish Hberator; but its accomplishment may yet
| be wrought by his eOuntrymen in these United
states, and then, indeed, will the memory Of
| Mitchell, Emmet and others be yindicated.
| John Mitchell died at the age of 90, without, un-
fortunately, having loosened the grasp Of the fell
tyrant: but he died in harness, and the commOtIOn
which his election by the men OF Tipperary has
aroused cannot but tend powerfully toward Irish
Independence in the nigh future. That election
was al uBmIstakable protest against the contin-
uance OF English rule in ireland; and it was evil
IDENTIFY fraughL with momentous consequences.
But he was not permitted TO work out his grand
scheme Tor the immediate overthrow Of British
parliamentary rule. In the midst OF his useful
ness, It pleased Heaven to call him hence. He
had however, after q career OF great VicIssItudes
the satisfaction OF dying among his kindred. He
has left legacy 10 us the unsullled reputation
Of a pure and noble patriot. And his great work
| must not be suffered to lay:
"For freedoms battle once begun,
| Beuueathed from bleeding sire to son,
Though bafhed oft, is ever won"
DISCUSSION AROSE
as to the propriety Of adopting that portion o
the second resolution in which the quotation
from the speech Of O'COnnell was embodied, a!
1t might be construed as a reflection on theil
Hebrew fellOUcitiEens.
The author of the resolution disclalmed AM
intention TO strike at any one except the presen
Majors Richard Oulah1n, McWailliams aud X
, | ]. Dillon and Messrs. James Ryan, Masterson
4 | j.. ~. mCJllli . J DOnhnuo anu OLnert, the reSO
| lutiOps were adopted without amendment.
: | During the debate Major Uulahan told somI
very interesting "reminiscences Of the men o
r 49, and OF the proposed rescue OF John Mtche
: | BY the club men of Dublin. This attempt a
/, | rescue was decided impracticable by a council
: | the leaders Of the clubs, at which Thomas Fran
| els Meagher John Il. Dillon, and other distin
guisbed patriots were present, as the people Wer
i not then prepared 70 risk conflict with thei
: powerful and willy enemy. lifelong friend Q
I | Mr. Mitchell, who was connected with him In tn
. | repeal Movement and a participant in the move
= | ment Of '4s," and of the stOrmiRS OF the Csppc
uuip, county Waterford, police barracks In 80,
: submitted the following suggestions to the mee