The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-11-22

GQ6 OIL III TIC COluulLGtcC ICou WIS ALL
posed upon the party managers, and
though the country and the press and
members OF both Houses, including the
Wing members of the committee. par
ticularly MIR. Winthrop, called for favor
able action upon it, it was never reported
TO the House, but died in committee.
When it was found that the House would
not report the oil. got Mr., Crittenden.
of Kentucky. TO introduce q similar one
in the Senate, where. after an eloquent
debate, it was passed nearly unanimous
ly. MIR. Calhoun, Mr.. Cass aud Mr..
Webster speaking and voting for 1t.
The principal thing that stimulated
the movement Was the great public
meeting held in Washington ON the 9th.
of February, l847.
Daniel Webster offered the resolutions
With short preliminary speech. have
had these resolutions and remarks ever
since in my possession in his own hand
writing. I trauseribe his speech
"The occasion is quite new one. A
famine, bringing want and distress on
great portion of whole people, is I'M
precedented in Christendora in this age.
The calamities Of ireland have been
heard and read throughout the country,
and have touched all American hearts.
New improvements i'll communication
have brought nations into nearer neigh
borhood with each other, and we hear
the cries of suffering ireland almost as
fresh and as strong as if they had come
from part Of our own country. In this
land of abundance we know nothing bY
our own experience of famine, and can
hardly conceive Of people dying, in
families and by groups, through mere
want of food. No heart can be SO hard
as not to melt at the details. apparently
authentic. of the shocking distress exist
ing in some parts of ireland. 1t is a fit
time for the activity and exertion OF a
national charity, and the flying moment
should not be lost. While the ministra'
t1ons of mercy are as benefclent rs those
of angels, let us render them. AS far as
we can, as swift also, in carrying relief
aud consolation. Our object is not o.
tentation or parade. II is not to utter
the sounds of empty brass. or of tinkling
cymbals, but to do deed Of effectual
charity; and to do it promptly, that the
objects of our compassion may hear
tidings Of kindness and of relief, from
across the ocean, before death shall end
their suferings.
Mr.. President, propose to the meet
ing these resolutions
"That the famine now existing ia Ire
land IS 80 exterslve and is attended in
many places with such appalling scenes
of distress as to present a proper case for
national sympathy and charity;
THAT the enlightened and informed
spirit of this ego. the dictates of human
ity, and the authority Of our holy re-
ligion, all suggest to the people of tn
United States that such unexampled
calamity and suffering ought to over
come in their regard all considerations
Of distance, foreign birth and residence,
and difference of national character. and
that 1t is enough that they are men,
women, and children, and as such be-
long to our own intellectual human ma
ture:
e'ThaE taking into consideration the
necessity OF prompt as we'll az general
action in order to produce beneficial
result, and that in this city are assem-
bled, at the present moment, many per-
sons from all parts of the country, it has
appeared tit that measures for general
national movement in favor of the suffer
ing poor of Ireland should commence
here; therefore.
Resolved. That this meeting recon-
mend to the people Of the United States
a general contribution, in money or pro-
visions, the proceeds to be forwarded
with all practical despatch to the scene
Of suffering.
s.Resolved, That His Honor the Mayor
of New York, the Hon. Moses 81. Grin
nell. Of the city Of New York, aud the
Hon. Cornelius w. Lawrence, Collector
of Customs in the said city. be requested
to act as a general committee to receive