The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-02-02


staked life to save life, who risked all for
love Of humanity, who fcit the call of duty
and Obeyed, and who trHly loved their
fellow beings as tbemselves--on that hig-
tory's brightest page will appear the name
of L. P. Blackburn. For ages monumenta
have been reared to heroes, bat you. air.
have yourself reared one whose spiendor
and excellence outriyal those of the past.
whose endursn nee will exceed the power OF
effacing time. It's column, gratitude; its
base, your countrymen's hearts; it's in.
scription, 'His mission was accom- mpHshed.
his duties were fulfilled he came to ale,
viate the sufferings of mankind.'D
wish might quote to you the Doctor,s
speech in full, 80 manly was it aud modest
He disclaimed credit for himself, bnt soos
occasion to tell in glowing terms the stories
of his brother physicians and of the heroic
clergy. You will read with interest that
paragraph in it which referred to Father
Ryan, of Chattanooga
I asw the pure Christian. Father RYAN. of
Chattanooga, while his fever was hiobest
and after the fatal symptom had superyened''
He, from the frst introduction of the disessa
in that city. had gone from sick to sicik. he
had buried the dead and comforted the siok
and the bereaved everyone spoke his praise
in tones of soft and tender affection. He had
been told by his attending physician that hie
sttaek was severe and dangerous. He asked
Intelligent, benevolent face. I could not ds.
ceive him. l told him there was little if any
hope OF his recovery. He did not shrink from
the nonncement, but seemed to pnt his hope
upon that Saviour he had 80 faithfully served.
and his faith in the blood stained Gross of his
Rsdeemer. In the twilight of the moon bis
pure spirit passed to its reward in brighter
would have given this arm to have saved him,
To the Catholics of America and the world
wonld say, when Father Ryan fell then fell
one on OF the purest jewels that ever sparkled in
the diadem Of your Church.
1t ls not known who first suggested the
name of DR.. Blackburn as q candidate for
Governor, but the suggestion once made
1t was hailed from end to end of the State
with immense enthusiasm. One newspa-
per said: New Orleans made General Jack
son President, Cerro Gorda sent John s.
Williams to the United States Senate, and
Hickman and a hundred thousand Ken
tuckians will make old Luke Blackburn
Governor" This time the Doctor took
the nomination in earnest. Perhaps he
means to teach the jokers of three years
ago a lesson; but be has been called te
make speeches in every town in the State
and uncommonly good speeches they are
said to be. In one Southern Kentucky village
the people--as many ladies as there were
men-came out in force to meet him as he
drove over from d neighboring town, took
out the horses, and dragged the carriage
In with shouts. At the hotel they made
WIS. DlaCkOuTu COue OuG on Inc DAlCOnY
and make o speech.
The convention ia not to meet until next
May, and 1 asked an influential Blue
Grass farmer, the other day, if by that
time reaction would not set in, aud the
Doctor lose by the present enthusiasm.
mo, sir," said be, ''people in the cities
may forget, but we farmers have long
memories"
AS the farmers make up the great body
of the vote in Kentucky it Is likely that
DR.. Blackburn will go in by rousing
majority. "I will be just Governor If
elected" he said, after the passage of the
Jefferson County resolutions, above given,
sand not use that Office as a stepping stone
to another. 1 will use my best Efforts to
promote the interests of the common
schools, to improve the rivers and develop
the resources of this grand old Common
wealth." He said that he might err in his
of affairs, but it wonld not
be Intentionally, and if he thought tha his
should cost him any thing
in the esteem of his fellow citizens he
would, even at the very moment of prom
ised success, reject the Office. The Doctor
would rather be- Governor of Kentucky
than President OF the United States.