Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1880-01-07

ent at the mass meeting to be held in
Wilmington, on the 9Th inst. gpexprsss
sympathy for the sufferer from famine
and disease in Ireland. | very much
regret that cannot be present on ac-
count Of the sickness Of two grand chill
dren, who came to spend the holidays
with US. When first saw that there
was series Of meetings being held In
your city, In relation thereto, felt
that you were engaged in grand and
good work that were In your city II
would be right among you to mingle
with you and. with substantial aid that
they SO much need and deserve. Be.
lieve me to be,
Very Truly Yours, JOIN W. HALL.
A letter Of regret was also read from
Prof. W. s. MoNair, Of Brandywine
Seminary, who had been asked to ad-
dress the meeting and could not attend.
After those in the audience seemed to
waken up even to that point Of exAr-
tion called out by the several sounds Of
applause given, Mr.. George R. Roberts,
clerk In the Post Office, was announced
as the orator Of the evening. Following
this announcement there wAs 4 moder-
ate clapping Of hands, a considerable
banging Of heavy canes, and stamp
ing Of many feet. Rising TO the ocea-
sion he said.
The attention Of the audience was
gained. The smOothneBs Of the speak
ers words attracted them. He said:
"Famine--that which should be the
most irregular Of allmodernhappenings
threatens Ireland with repetition Of
the horrors Of l847. One who speaks
of that which he knows said in Novem-
Der last: "At this present month the
crops are failure and famine threatens
to starve the people" n n
Whence comes this famine ?"
After referring to the exactidhs in
fiicted upon the Irish people and the
effect they had upon the industry Of
the country he said "Anciently the
Irish chiefs held the estates in trust for
the people and then the power limited
to that of distribution, the right Of oo-
cupying and tilling the soil could not
be denied to the people, this eminently
Just arrangement was substituted.
After the subjugation of Ireland,
the system was adopted which now
produces periodic famine. There is
good authority for saying that every
acre OF Irish soil has been confscated
and that the major part OF 1t has been
disposed Of in payment Of services that
were conspicuous efforts TO destroy the
Irish nation and Irish character.
True 1t is that Ireland is made TO ap-
pear in English history as the very ref
use of the earth. Ignorance, bigotry
and cowardice Is, according to McCaul.
ley, Englands great historian, the sum
ming up Of Irish characteristics.
Yet there is enough known Of the
real excellence Of Irish men to prove
that 'McCaulley wrote as only an Eng
lishman would write, Of people for
whom he showed the estimate of ha-
tired.
Irish statesmen of eminence are as
numerous as those Of other nations.
Her soldiers have proven themselves
the bravest Of the brave applause her
poets have sung the sweetest songs in
English literature, [arplause], and the
devotion of Irish people to their religion
wins from heopponents of that religion
the profoundest respect.
GAS American freeman, remembering
the services Of many score Of gallant
Irishmen, when freedom was to be won
and when freedom was to be saved, the
suffering of Ireland should win our
most genuine sympathy and our hear
tiest efforts for their immediate aid.
As a Delawarsan and not desiring to
make unacceptable comparisons let me
ask you who, if not an Irishman, stands
the most gallant and conspicuous fig
ure among Delaware's soldiers who
fought in the war for the Union?
Can we forget that General Thomas
A. Smyth was an Irishman, [prolonged
applause. Does 1t not follow that we
whom he served SO nobly; that we for
whom his life was sacrifice, should
aid and defend in all right ways his
suffering country men.
Ozark and almost unbearable as the
condition of Ireland seems, there is
much reason to hope for speedy break
ing of her bonds. All progress is the
product Of suffering and need +; and
while human nature and human ma
ture's God demands that the oppressed
shall resist the oppressor-while 1t re-
mains to be the highest virtue to as
sert ones sense Of right, and to sacrifice
life for the truth 80 long is the over
threw Of the oppressors of men possible.
Where suffering reaches point where
1t is almost unbearable, then is deliver
ance almost come"
Mr.. Roberts closed amid the loudest
applause. His Honor was then chosen
Treasurer of whatever fund may be col
lscted, and said funds to be collected
at the next mass meeting.
A few remarks were made by others
after which the meeting adjourned.
Meeting OF Legislatures.
Tho Nau ynrk Taoisl atura mat vaa