The Irish standard., 1898-03-26
TO THE PATRIOT AND SOLDIER.
An Association Organized for the
Laudable Purpose.
MARCUS DAILY AT ITS HEAD.
R. P. O'Brien's Eloquent Tribute
to the Gallant Rebel.

The Anaconda Standard of March II
says that at Il convention held at the Au-
ditoriUm in that city the previous day
an association was organized for the pur-
pose of raising funds to erect Il mon,l-
mcnt to tho memory of Gen. Thomas
Francis Mengher. the first secretary Of
state for the territory of Montana, and
the noted Irish patriot and soldier The
movement to immurtaliZe the memory of
Gen. Meaghcr was instituted at Ana
conda In the early part of the year
among tho Irish Americans, and II meet
ing was called, which was held in Butte
to take the preliminary steps toward o.
tho report OF the Butte committee was
adopted, recommending Mayor liarring-
ton, OF Butte. as permanent chairman,
and d. Il. llallahan, of Anaconda. as Soc
rotary. The former was escorted to The
chair by j. NJ. Kennedy. of Anaconda,
and james Meaghcr, Of Butte. Mayor
Harrington thanked the convention and
asked Its pleasure John J. Grogan, Of
Helena, nominated Marcus DAILY Tor
president Of the association The NOM
ination was received with enthusiasm
and Mr.. DAILY was elected by acclanM-
linl. AS the rules adopted require the
officers to be elected by ballot, James
Mcagllcr moved that the secretary be in
structed to cast a unanimous ballot for
Mr.. DAILY for president, which carried.
John Caplice nominated Martin Me-
Ginnis, of Helena. for first vicr-p -prcsl-
dent, and he was elected In the samo
manner. Then followed after the same
course the election of Mayor Harrington
as second vice president; John capicc,
of l'nttlc, third cc-prcsidrnt; ID. F.
llallahan, of Anaconda for secretary; =.
j. I1rOphy, of Butte, for treasurer; and
for trustees, w. ID. Clark, of Butte: Pat
rick Cudllily, of Anaconda John j.
O'Mrarn, OF Butte, Captain James Drcn-
nan, of l'uzcnlnI, and William Stcuvc,
Of Helena.
The organization being completed a
speech was called for from r. p.
Ol'ricn, of Anaconda, who paid an elo-
auct tribute to the memory of General
Meaghcr. Mr.. OBricn said:
Every American citizen who loves
Ireland, who clcrishca the memory of
her illustrionH men, who feels any
ohluuuy east upon such memory us Il
wound, should now strive with enth,si-
nstic carncatnrss to make this monument
II triumphant success. 1t is true, indeed,
that tho heroic memory of gallant
Mcnghcr needs neither 'sloricd urn nor
animated bust to pcrpctuatc his char
Hctcr and fame.
THAT character and that fame arc i'm
pcrlshably cmbaImed in the annals of
two countries and the lofty niche he oc-
cupics in the temple OF Irish eloQuenco
Is cVcrmOrC secure. Mcaghcr's oratory,
although not cnuabIy reaching the top
most heights held by Burke. Sheridan.
Grhttan, Curlu! I'lunkct, O'ConncIl and
Shicl, those gods Of Irish elouuencc, was
nevertheless possessed Of qualities, rare,
unique and transrcndant
at was of the purcst and most classi-
cal mould, and In addition to It's other
charms it fell upon the cntranccd ear of
the listener with a dreamy rhythmic ca
dcncc like the mclodiOns murm,ring of
crystal brooks in summer woods. Even
the most commonplace thoughts, if in
vested with Mcaghcr's dazzling splendor
OF expression would command admira-
tion, but when ideas, lofty and impas-
stoned as ever fell from orators lips,
we're clothed in robes Of speech as be-
witchingly beautiful as cultured fancy
ever drew from the rich storehouse of
a learned mind, the magical effect abided
with the listener for a lifetime and de-
fed the oblitcrating hand OF time.
"Of Mcaghcr's career as a soldier it
is almost supcrfluous that l should
speak. Is it not the theme alike of the
historians tale, the orators eulogy and
the poets song? What American with
Irish blood in his veins does not feel the
ruddy stream bounding with tumul-
tuous pride through every fiber of his
frame when he reads of the deeds Of
Mcaghcr and his brigade Mt Fair Oaks,
Malvern, Fredericksburg, Antietam,
Charlottesville? At the fierce battle Of
Fredericksburg the great Lee pited the
devoted valor Of that heroic brigade, ex-
claiming when he saw it sweeping up
the slopes of Mary's Heights, that it
was a pity to destroy such men, Yes,
sir; the great confederate captain pitied
it ere by his order he let loose from the
laundering mouths of Walton's guns
that hurtling hurricane of death that
swept the serried ranks of the brigade.