Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-10
The Address OF Mr.. Francis McNerhany
i'm Mt. Ol1vct Cemetery.

When the grave of the Irish-American pa
triot, Thomas Devin Reilly, in Mt Olivet GEM
etery, was decorated by the Clan Ma Gael Sum
day afternoon, Mr. +. McNerhany delivered an
eloquent address: within the past half GEN.
tury,' the speaker said, in closing his address,
"in continuation of that great struggle for Irish
independence which has been going on for
more than seven centuries, Devin Reilly
dared all, braved all. lost all, except sterling
manhood and imperishable honor. OF these
not even the colossal power Of the ancient OPP.
pressor of his race and country could ever dis
possess or rob him. In contemplating his
from John Mitchell, Thos. Francis Meagher,
VIM. Smith O'Brien, John Martin and other
brilliant stars that Illuminated the armament
OIL Ireland in AS, when she renewed, but alas,
unsuccessfully, the great struggle OF '9S. He
and they devoted heart, mind, soul and
StrenSth-aii they posSesSed-to the honor and
glory of their country, and to its possible re-
demption from the thraldom of the cruel OPP
pressor. That noble effort failed not because
these brave men did not perform their duty,
but because, in the providence of God, Ireland
was to be permitted to still longer suffer and
struggle, for some reason unknown to us, but
which, in the grand future of her destiny, may
be developed in furtherance of her glory and
Although often thwarted in her noble aspira-
tlonS-defeated, If you will, in her grand pur-
poses-the soul, the spirit OF Ireland has never
been conquered; and giancing back through her
long and weary struggle, we fully realize the
poetic truth that
Freedoms battle once begun
Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son,
Though batfled Oft. is won.'
And on this blessed Sunday afternoon, look
Ing afar OF, in imagination, upon the Emerald
oceans heAving bosom-still signing. hoping,
praying for that long-wish@d for day when the
dawn Of freedom shall light up her beautiful
hills and valleys, and bring peace, content
ment, and happiness to the hearts OF her brave,
generous. and suffering people.
In these hopes and aspirations the sympathiZ-
American Dp0Dfp
Join: for America and Ireland arc closely allied
by the strongest ties OF fraternal Friendship.
The American people know, and they cherish
grateful remembrance of the fact, that the
Sunburst OF Erin and the Stars of the Union
have blended and shone together on every
battle field in our history from Lexington to
AppomattoX; they know that there is. in this
Heaven-favOred land. a large, an important, an
influential element of the Irish race, that
sought shelter in this grand and glorious home
OF freedom, from bitter and unrelcnting persc-
cutiOns in the Green Isle: and they know that
a people who left their native land because
they hated tyranny can never be false to the in
situations OF their adopted country.
To this class Devin Reilly belonged. There
was not thought, a sentiment an aspiration
OF his manly heart that did not breathe the
spirit of liberty. He was one OF the leaders of
the irish American press, and he labored us,-
ce3singiy for the elevation. morally. politically
and socially of his fellow-countrymen.
Oh. when the teachings OF this gifted man,
implanted deeply they are in the Irish
national heart. shall reach fruition in their
practical application to the administration of
Irish affairs. when in a word Ireland with her
own parliament, shall be free as the ocean
winds that sweep over her green fields, then
indeed
Dear Erin. like star. shall rise
Above ths gloom OF ages.
And saints, vino people now her skies.
VIII bless her braves and sages.
The ancient harp. attuned again.
viii 10 more breathe in sadness,
But i'll It's loud suitaHt rain.
The world VIII join with siainess."