Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-08
O'CONNELL'S ORATORY.


ing the eloquence of Irishmen by Flood,
Plunkett, Grattan, Curran and Burke,
said:
But in displaying the jewels that gilt
ter in this coronet, binding so gloriously
the brow of Ireland, who can pass by
him whose auspicious birth this festive
occasion celebrates. In the mastery of
speech that commands, in sthe witchery
of tongue that binds as in magic spells,
O'Connell was without rival. In the
constellation Of spoken eloquence that
CLEANS above the Ever Green Isle" his
star will ever continue the cynosure.
His predecessors that instructed charmed
or attempted to control by the spoken
word welded to the breathing thought.
pitched their performance in some par.
ticular arena and were there confined by
singular want of versatility, glowing,
it is true, but like the imprisoned fire.
fly. Flood and Grattan were a power
with their stately style, and sometimes
wearisome anttheses in Parliament.
They left, however, no memories
at the bar, and the masses were not
moved by them from the hustings.
Plunkett and Curran were glorious at
the bar, but failed to interest drowsy leg
islators, and scarcely seemed to desire
reputation as popular orators. 0'Con-
nell, however, sought and won distinc-
tion on each Of these three theaters. 1t
is difficult TO determine in which he was
most distinguished. No Irish barrister
ever so skillfully exposed perjury in
cross.examination as he. No Irish ad-
vocate ever poured upon court and Jury
law, logic, passion, pathos wit and in
vective so efficiently blended as he. En-
tering the English Parliament, a legisla-
tive body proverbially rude and cruelty
jealous of every new aspirant for honors
in senatorial debate, he encountered ad-
ditionally the most malignant partisan
hate, race, national and religious
antipathy. In no instance was a
more determined effort ever made to
exclude q legislator from access
to the ear of Parliament, and
destroy an already rising reputation
with the people by smothering it in the
legislative hall. All this he triumph
antly overcame, compelling those who
came TO scoff to hang through the weary
vigils of night debate in wrapt atten-
ton on his lips, and swelling few pro.
scribed defenders of Irish liberties into
at last a balance Of power between Wing
and Tory. But we know not what this
gifted man was until we contemplate
him face to face with the people. Here
he loses not in comparison with classic
models. Demosthenes, having the won.
derfully sensitive language eoftheHellenic of
day with which to touch aud fire the
mind and soul Of Greek, aided toe by
the then undimmed memories OF
Marathon and Platea was un-
able to hold in any steadfast
opposition to Phillip the peoples of the
Grecian States, Cicero, by his electric
sentence, "Quousque tandem abutere.
Catilina, patientia nostra2' inspired in
a debRuched Senate thrill of momeu.
tary patriotism and drove from their
mindst the abashed conspirator. Yet
his eloquence was utterly impotential
with the people to arouse them against
the splendid imperialism of the Caesars.
OConnell found the great mass of his
countrymen sunk in ignorance, and
numbed into paralysis by years of that
most odious of all oppressions-pro.
scription because of their religious faith.
So spiritless, by reason of their disabili-
ties imposed foc religion, had the Catho-
lies become in Irish government and
politics that Swift bitterly counted
them out of every patriotic effort for
Irish liberty. Thus were dismissed by
the Irish patriot of Swift's day more
than two thirds of the Irish people from
every scheme or plan for Irish enfran.
chisement, from every struggle for the
equal rights of Ireland. This popula-
ton thus debased by centuries of relig-
ious prescription and religious oppres.
sion, 0'Connell touched as with the spear
of Ithuriel. The chains Of mental and
moral slavery were broken. AS Prone
THAN fire woke into shape, form and life
the chilled and shapeless chaos, so his
burning words fell on these insensate mas.
ses. They warmed, they breathed, they
lived and woke to heroic thought Through
the moral force he thus evoked from
these once inert and still starving, hui
inflated coreligionists, lie wrung Cath
olic emancipation from the most bigoted
of English ministers, and making Irish
agitation real danger obtained for his
countrymeu respect that yet makes
England fear. His wondreus power as
popular orator is attested by the i'm
mense numbers that foe ked to his ap.
pointments-numbers lot exceeded by
those that met the Evangelist of the
Wilderness by Jordsn's banks, or crowd
ed on the Master by the shores of blue
Galilee. Nor has song failed to leave
behind o record of his miracles in
speech. Once on Tara Hill by the rock
where were crowned the ancient kings
of Ireland be addressed the largest con
course that ever waited on human lips
estimated at nearly quarter of a mil.
lion-gathered around this hill so
grandly historical to the Irish mind
This is the occasion that Bulwer seizes
to picture in rythmic sentences this
rarest of speakers. But once to my
sight the giant thus was given, writes
the poet. He then describes how impos-
sible it seemed to him that O'Connell
could be heard by that vast aud surg
ing crowd. AT last, lifted perhaps
to more than mortal fervor by
the glorious memories of ancient
Irish power and civilization inspired by
the place as by the tomb of Achilles
might reappear Homeric heroes, the
orator rose and over the hushed thou
sands swept his voice
The s0nOTous swell
As from some church tower swings the silvery
bell,
Aloft and clear from airy tide to tide
IL glided easy as a bird may glide
To the last verge Of that vast audience sent.
II played with each wild passion as II went;
Now stirred the uproar, now the murmurs
stilled,
And sobs and laughter answered as Il willed.