The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-06
Earning Star and Catholic messenger.
Gsw ORLEANS, SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 8. IsTs
From Our Own Correspondent.l
OUR IRISH LETTER.
DUBLIN, Jan. 18th, 1876.

monster proportions attained by the O'Connell
celebration, but, the other hand, it COM
,bined in harmonious action more Of the various
elements of Irish society, aud, unlike the
OConnell celebration, It passed off without
being marked by even one disagreeable Incl
dent. AT au early hour in the morning the
streets assumed quite festive appearance.
Large numbers of persons of all GLASSES in
holiday garb thronged the wide foot. paths and
at very short intervals the contingents of the
procession, headed in each case by band, and
banner or banners, continued for hours to
make their way to the place Of rendezvous.
The bands, need not say, played nothing but
patriotic airs, and nothing but patriotic mot
toes glistened on the banners. At twelve
O'Clock the procession, composed of the Trades,
the Foresters and other similar societies. the
County Contngents, and the Grattan tenautry,
was on its way. Ali along it's route it met
with hearty reception from the thousands
who lined the streets or waved handkerchief
from the windows. At one O'Clock the head of
it had reached College Green, the body of it
stretching the, whole length of Dame street.
At the same honr too, the Lord Mayor and the
members of the Corporation arrived, robed and
in their carriages, by way of Grattan street
and so dense was the mass of people now COL
looted around the statue and extending as far
as the eye could see in every direction that
the City Fathers moved to their places on the
platform with the greatest difficulty. The
windows, the ratings, and even the roofs of
the buildings on every side were Gro wded with
spectators, and amongst the most adventurous
of those sight-seers were not few ladies. AS
one looked down from the platform the sight,
what with the sea of upturned faces the ban
ners autteripg in the breeze, the strains of
national music from the bands, and the volleyed
cheers rising upon every side now and then,
was certainly inspiriting. On the platform
itself was mixed gathering. Professors and
students of Trinity College in their caps and
gowns; the Corporators in their scarlet robes
trimmed with brown fur; Tory and Home Rule
Nd. Pa; country gentlemen; Catholic priests |
private citizens of Dublin of all cTeeds; and
represen tatives of the Grsttau family hob
nobbed together. Lady Laura rattan (widow
of the eldest son of the great orator and
patrioD and three granddaughter of the
orator. one of whom (Birs. Dease) possesses
features that Btrikingly resem bled those COM |
|memorated in the statue. Loud cheers greeted |
Mr. Butt as he ascended the platform; the |
PANE honor was accorded to Professor Gal |
.Draith, the Lord Mayor and other persons and I
when Mr.. A. NJ. Sullivan asked the people TO |
sslnake way for the students of Trinity Col
4aap," there was an especially heart burst of |
chesring At the appointed time, Alderman
EEgdon "a Tory Home Ruler) moved, and Mr..
6nes supported the motion, that Lord Gort
ehqnid take the chair. Lord Cord, accordingly,
sEH9is Protestant and Tory, moved to the
R9asfton of president and proceeded to deliver
g sort address, which was in very good taste
in which he related how his ancestors had |
always been supporters of Grattan in his efforts
Sgeinst the Union and for Catholic Emanopa-
AAqn. lie spoke of Mr.. Sullivan also as "the
Aeae and famous man" who originated the
mQnument movement. When he had con-
csrded, his brother, the Hon. J. P. Verecker,
E4Ad the report, or rather asked that this docu-
rnent COT which gave a copy in my last issue)
might be taken read ; and then Lady Laura
lsssGtan at the request of Lord Gort, rose and,
pulling string, drew from the statue the
covering In which 1t was enveloped. At this
tremendous cheer which continued for several
seconds rose up on every side, and the incident
was, indeed, the climax of the whole proceed
ngs And here it seems appropriate to say !
lew words of the statue itself. 1t is magnif- t
cent work of art. 1t is nine feet in height i
and rests on pedestal of Galway limestone on
le,l =
having the word Grattan engraved in gold '
letters. 1t represents a man such "a Grat,sn 8
was in the fullness of physical and intellectual
vigor. The features display the most intense t
earnestness which, combined with the pose of I
the body, gives the idea of the great orator =.
pleading some great cause. The Z
earnest face, the right arm raised and stretched
to the utmost, the left hand grasping the coat q
1t, the breast in a nervous and excited manner t
The magnificent head with wavy curls, the airy y
ightness of the limbs-all combine to stamp =
'he work as masterpiece an appropriate t
of the man it is intended to honor, q il
work executed with infinite pains down to the y
ninutest details. When the unwilling had =
'een performed, the speakers of the day then a
anne forward, and there followed in succession ii
dr. Gibson Glory NJ. P. for Dublin Unworthy,
dr. Mitchell Henry (Home Rule NJ. P.), Mr.. A. q