The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-06-20
A SKETCH OF 0'C0NN ELL.

Running Commentaries Upon the Life
Of the Great Agitat0r.
Every 4th of June since the memorable
day in 1S43, many Of Ireland's sons
either in person or in thought visit the
plains at Drogheda, Ireland, where
OConnel is said to have made his best
speech during the whole repeal movement.
The wonderful series of meetings held in
Ireland during O'Connel's great repeal ag-
itaticn, in 1842-43 were perhaps the most
extraordinary demonstrations of nation
al unity and peaceful, orderly enthusiasm
in a popular cause that the world has
ever witnessed. O'Connel has been elect
ed lord mayor of Dublin in 1S41, and the
following two years he devoted his entire
energies to organizing a series Of mon
ster meetings in the principal cities OF
Ireland, All previous efforts in favor Of
repeal were thrown into the shade in
1913, when O'Connel for the time absent
ed himself from parliament and devoted
himself to the cause which he. had es-
poused. From the tuam meeting in
March to that Of the meeting at Drog-
heda nearly 20 large assemblies were
held and upward of $4,000 was subscrib-
ed. The famous monster meetings were
usually held on Sunday on some open
spot, mostly selected for its historic fame
and with all the picturesque surround
ings of hill and stream. From the
dawn of day the repealers were throng-
ing to the scene of the meeting. They
came from all parts Of the neighborlng
country for miles and miles. They all
attended the services Of their church be
fore the meeting began. At the meeting
OConnel and several of his chosen ora
tors addressed the throngs on the sub
iect of the wrongs done Ireland, the
claims of Ireland to the restoration Of her
old parliament in College Green and the
certainty of her having it restored it
Irishmen only displayed their unity and
strength. O'Connel himself, it is need
less to say, was always the great orator
of the day. The agitation developed a
great deal of literary talent among the
younger men of education, but it never
brought out man who was ever spoken
of as a possible successor to O'Connel IN
eloquence His magnificent voice en-
abled him to do what nc genius and no
eloquence less aptly endowed could have
done. He could send his lightest word
thrilling to the extreme OF the vast con-
course of people who he desired to move
He swayed them with the magic Of an abb
solute controllment, understood all the
moods of his people to address himself
to them came natural to him.. He made
them roar with laughter; he made them
weep; he made them thrill with indigna-
ton. AS the shadows ran over field,
SO the impression of his varying elo-
uuence ran over the assemblage. He
commanded the emotions Of his hearers
as consummate conductor sways the
energies of his orchestra. Every allusion
told. When in one of the meetings held
in his native Kerry, he turned so,emnly
round and appealed tp "yonder blue
mountains where YOU and I We're
cradled;" or in sight Of the objects he
described the appropriated Ireland as the
Gland of the green valley and the rush
ing.water;;' or recalled some historical
association connected with the scene he
surveyed each was some special appeal
to the instant feeling of his audience.