Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-30

TIE ADDRESS At TIE GRAVE OF pRvIN REILLY.
The ceremonies at Mt Olivee cemetery, con-
Quoted By the Clan-na-oael, were largely at
tended The following Is the address delivered BY
Mr. Frank MeNerhany at the grave OF Devin
Reilly:
To-day, my friends, In all Of our national ceme-
teries> Is witnessed the touching spectacle or a
great nation lovingly bending over the heroic
dead, aud strewing their graves with the fairest
and brightest flowers OF thu yernal season.
1t is q beautiful custom, springtng from one OF
the purest and tenderest sentiments OF the human
heart, and is peculiarly Catholic In its origin. For
the grand old mother church, IN one OF whose
beautiful cemeteries we are gathered to-day. not
only watches over her children from the cradle to
the grave, blessing their narrow house OF clay.
and adjoining them with floral offerings but, with
s,ns, love- she follows .hsi. departed
ferventiy prays for their eternal repose.
II is in this spirit that we assembled here to
brave, who were true to God and to country. One
OF them-Rsv. Father Boyle-was. when living,
Loved and and reysred BY al. who knew nProtss
name and generous deeds VIII be held
In everlasting remembrance. As q chaplain in
ministered the consultations OF religion to many a
dying soldier, and frightened their pathway to
the grave. An American BY birth, his heart Was
ever glowing with an intense Zeal and devotion
for the holy cause OF Ireland-the beautiful, but
prosecuted land OF his forefatherS His eloquent
voice, so often heard in defense Of
NATIONALITY
when it plead for justice to Irelandi But his
noble heart has ceased to throb, his golden
tongue IS silent, his once manly form Is moulder.
Ing into dust and here he dreamlessy sleeps
beneath q beautiful monument which loving
friends have reared and dedicated to his cherished
memOryi
Here, too, slumbers in death that gifted and
patriotic son OF Ireland, Thomas Devn Reilly. He
party Of IS, with patriotic ardor. Unused new
people. and enkindiea a ' I1ame Of national
VIII: never be extingufshed SO long as
M OF g, aes
were blighted, though their nobIeSt aspirations
were thwarted. they taught their countrymen the
patriotic lesson that
"Whether on the gaIlows high,
Or in the battles van,
The fittest place for man to die
Is where he dies for mani"
Hence on the consecrated grave of Thos. Devtn
Reilly we to-day, with loving hands, strew fair and
fragrant howers-1t emblems or the beauty OF his
On other graves-the earthly resting places OF
Irish-American soldiers who on many a crimsoned
field helped maintain the unity and
INTEGRITY OF THE REPUBLIC.
we also fondly scatter these fragrant offerings to
valor and patriotism.
For we love and honor the names and the memo
ries OF the gallant men who fought with Corcoran,
Meagher and other heroes or the war In the I'M
mortal Irish brigades- They were always found
In the front ranks, where the iron hail fell thick
est. and they proudly bore the brilliant flag Of
the SunburSt and Shamrock side by side with the
victorious banner Of the Stars and Stripes
And now, my friends, having beauti1ed the
graves OF our honored and heroic dead who repose
In Mount Olivet cemetery, let US invoke their
blessed spirits to look down from their heavenly
ABODE and catching up our earnest supplication,
bear 1t TO the throne OF divine Justcethat He who
holds In His almighty hand the destfnfes OF ma
lions, may be pleased to perpetuate for all time
tie union OF these states and soon give to Ireland
the blessed boon OF national independence