The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-05-15
The uBERAT0R OF IRELAND
He Sank to Rest at Genoa. the
Cradle of Columbus.
HIS HEART LIES in ROME
And His Body In Irish Earth at
GlaSneYin.

Glasnevin.
Today is the fiftieth anniversary of
the death of Daniel O'Connell, the Irish
Liberator. He died on May Is, 1847, en-
route for Rome, on his way to visit the
new Pontiff, Pope Plus TX, then in the
inception Of his glorious pontifcate.
The touching and memorable journey
and death are clear in the minds OF
1rishmen, says the Dublin Freeman's
Journal. They constitute one of the
saddest episodes in our national history.
The great statesman, orator and patriot,
overburdened by years, but still more
oppressed by the dissensions and disas-
ters that paralyzed his power for good,
had no hope left in his last journey but
to prostrate himself before his death at
the feet of the Supreme Head OF the
church, of which he was always the
most obedient child and the most de-
voted champion. We know how even
that last hope was disappointed. The
greatest Irishman of his age died in
Genoa, far from the country he SO loved
and served, and from the center of the
church to which his pilgrimage was di-
rected. In his will he testified how dear
at the last moment were his country
and his creed. His body he bequeathed I
to Ireland, his heart to Rome. That be-
quest was faithfully executed. ~~..
The heart of the Irish Lfberator 10 en-
shrined in silver in the church Of the
Irish College, Rome. In that Irish Coll
lege, preparations are in progress for
the fitting commemoration of the fiftieth
anniversary of his death. The great
colony of Irishmen-lay and clerical
resident in Rome will participate in the
commemoration, and no ceremonial will
be omitted that can add dignity and
solemnity to the occasion. It is believed
that this commemoration will go far to
rival the impressive grandeur of the
scene, still freshly remembered in Rome
when the obsequies of the great Catholic
Irishman were celebrated in the Eternal
City. On that occasion the funeral pan
egyrio was preached by the great pulpit
orator, Father Ventura, and in Notre
Dame, in Paris, where much of O'Con-
nell's life was spent, by the not less
famous and not less eloquent preacher,
Father Lacordafre. On the forthcoming
occasion in Rome the O'Connell eulo-
GUM will be delivered by member Of
the Irish hierarchy, whose lofty elo-
quence will do no discredit even to those
glorious traditions.
In Genoa, where O'Connell died, active
preparations are on foot to make the
celebration worthy of the man. The
Pope has given his most cordial benedic-
tion, and expressed the hope and belief
that in Ireland the celebration would be
not less appreciative and impressive. OF
the complete fulfllment of that aspdra-
tion of His Holiness no doubt is admis-'
sible.
In st. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh,
arrangements are being made for the fit-
ting commemoration of O'Connell's
death. In this regard we feel assured
that the praiseworthy lead given by st.
Patrick's Cathedral will be zealously,
followed through the length and breadth
of Ireland.
Never in the very heydey of his genius
and his authority, when he reigned "the
uncrowned king" over the hearts Of
Irishmen, were the powers, the patriot
ism and services of O'Connell more fully
appreciated than at the present hour.
He was the Irishman who led the nation
out of bondage. He opened to Irishmen
the arena wherein they might contend
for freedom. It was no fault Of his, but
Of his adverse fate, that the work Of
absolute freedom was not accomplished.
The mist Of prejudice and passion which
half concealed or distorted the figure
and features of his genius has rolled
away. Ireland sees him today as he was
how great, how strong, how true
what words can say? His memory has
conquered calumny. Like all Irish pa
triots down to our own time, he was re-
viled in the grossest terms from the
platforms and in the press Of England. q
The name Of the Irish big beggarmanYs
was one Of the mildest insults to whtcte
he was subjected Today when he is tu4t
so years dead they can find no words tao
strong to convey their praise Tor his
moderation, statesmanship and patriot
ism. In Ireland We feel assured thets3
the feeling Of gratitude and adnirations
Will overflow IN every heart On the fk.s
tieath commemofation Of the eysnts soeA
sONnnnalYs . deat II the
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