Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-24
CribmtE of Respett.
Hibernian Society.
SAVANNAH, Ga, June %, 1881

S<A'A1NRA1, OAs3 JUNO So AOols
ly meeting of the Hiberniant 1gETN\\AQ1sEA
Society. held this evening, %S1NlA\\VzsECxCo.
the following was unani- aSSak1a2 \A@zF<Cr
mously adopted: ESySklE ~ =
In the prime Of manhood, and in the season
of his greatest usefulness, the Hon. NJ. P
OCoNNoR. or Charleston, s. c., one Of the
most distinguished members of the Hibernian
Society, has been suddenly removed by death.
The profound sorrow with which the news of
his decease was received in Charleston was re-
hected In Savannah, where his splendid quail
ties were widely known and appreciated.
Mr. O'CoNNoR was born in Beaufort, 8. c., in
1881. Graduating at st. Johns College Ford
ham, N. Y, with high honors he entered upon
the study OF law, selecting Charleston as the
place or permanent residence. Admitted to
the bar, his professional ability was at once
recognized, and he soon achieved a leading
position in the State which he loved and served
so faithfully. Called to the South Carolina
Legislature from Charleston in 1858, he repre-
sented his district most creditably for seven
consecutive years. So marvelously popular
was he that even his outspoken opposition to
the secession movement In 1861 ian evidence of
wise craftsmanship more apparent to us now
than it was them, did not defeat him. In the
sorrowful years OF reconstruction and mis-
government, when treachery TO State and party
was so lavishly rewarce ed, and so many trusted
men proved recreant, Mr.. O'CoNNoR was true
to his principles, and unflinching in his oppo-
sition to the wrong When the long night had
passed, and the intelligence OF Charleston was
allowed for the first time in eighteen years to
select a Representative to the Federal Con-
gress, Mr.. O'CoENoR was fittingly chosen. car
rying his district by the magnificent majority
OF seven thousand votes: brilliant term of
which he originated several me assures of great
public importance, was rewarded with re-
nomination and reelection to the Forty-sev
enth; but. alas Death terminated a career
which had been, and promised to be, one of
the greatest benefit to our country.
The limits OF this memorial necessarily for
bids any except general mention of the many
other trusts fall faithfully dtscharged) with
which Mr.. O'CoEEoR was honored by his fell
low citizens. Nor have we space to do more
than alIude to his sterling social traits, his
upright and spotless life, and his consistent de-
votion to his church.
AS a speaker, Mr.. O'CoNNoR was most hap
PLY gifted, and Savannahians remember with
pleasure and gratitude the admirable GRAFTON
which he delivered here on st. Patrick's day in
1874. On that occasion he was unanimously
elected an honorary member of this body, and
one of the most pleasing Incidents of our
anniversary dinner In the evening " as the tele-
graphic announcement OF his elevation to the
Presidency Of our sister society, the Hibernians
of Charleston, of which he had been an active
member from early manhood.
His charities were boundless. Neither oner-
GUS public trusts. nor his own great success in
life, stified the generous promptings of that
tender heart, and in him the poor and afflicted
Of Charleston have lost friend who was never
dppedl0Q 10 IN VdlQ.
But the quality Of Mr. O'CoNNoR which natu-
rally was most attractiye To us as Irishmen
was his fond devotion to the old land. He was
a typical Irishman, brave, generous and i'm
pulsiye he thrilled with pride at the stories of
her glory, and bowed in sorrow at the thought
OF her woes. Her fame and honor was the
wish dearest to his heart, and in her darkest
hours he meyer abandoned his loFe for her
past, nor his hope for her future.
Therefore, pc 1t resolUed, 1. That in the death
of the Hon. n. P. O'CoNSoR the Hibernian So
ciety has lost one of its most i'ted and illus
trious members, Ireland one Of her most de-
voted friends, and our common country one Of
her wi.est statesmen and most unsellsh pe-
triots,
? That copies of this preamble and resou-
lions be spread upon the minutes Of the Hi
herman Society, and published in the gazettes
OF this city and the NetUs and Courier of
Charleston, and transmitted to his bereaved
family
g. That in respect to his memory the hall of
the Hibernian Society be draped in mourning
and Its members wear the usual emblem Of
mourning for the ensuing thirty days
CHARLES F. PRENDERGAST,
JOHN FLANNERY,
p. W. MELDRIM
Committee.
A true extract from the minutes.
N. Il. QUINAN.
De- 10,