The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-10-14

ton under whose auspices it was that
evening his privilege to speak. In
vivid and eloquent terms the lecturer
then proceeded to deal with the claims
Of John Boyle O'Reilly TO place in
the hearts and memories OF Irishmen all
the world over.
His patriotism was OF the most pure
and unspotted type, as was proved by
the devotion with which he sacrificed
his own personal aspirations and am
billions to the welfare OF his country,
and by the sufferings which he brought
upon himself owing to his stubborn
and lifelong battle against English tyr
amy. His most daring feat in that di-
rectIonlwas to3be sought for in his en-
listlnentt with some others under the
English flag with the view to under-
mining the authority OF England by
sowing the seeds OF discomfort with the
existing state OF affairs among the
lrishmen in the, British Arny-a feat in
wlicl-tllough ultimately trapped by
iniormcrs, he succeeded to very great
extent. The lecturer then passed over
i'll review the leading features OF
O'Reillys prison lie and treatment at
the hands. OF the English authorities,
winding up this portion OF the lecture
with 4 thrilling account OF his ultimate
escape from bondage, and his flight to
the United States OF America. Then
followed a graphic and most interesting
description oil the carly struggles of the
escaped British Convict ior the means
OF subsistence. Not unnaturally, from
his experience OF press work obtained
at a very early age O'Reilly took to
literary work upon his arrival in Amer
ica as a means OF livelihood, and in this
department his success at once became
absolutely assured. His connection
with the Boston Pilot was long and
an honorable one. and his writings in
the columns OF that widely known jour
nal speedily stamped him as a man OF
pre-emilent literary distinction. In
1870 he was appointed editor OF the
Boston Pilot which, under his man
asement, speedily became one OF the
most enlightened OF the journals claim
ing to be expressive OF Irisll-Ancrcan
opinion, and a journal which today
represents all that is best in the attri-
brtes OF the Irisll-American character.
Dealing, with ORcilly as a poet, the
lecturer said. that though in some re-
spect keen criticism might discover
technical faults i'll his poetical works no
one who studied them could fail to real
ize, that they were distinguished by the
setting OF great thoughts in chastc Ian
euage, which could not but go straight
to, the nncrinost soul OF the student.
HE lecturer dwelt at some length on
theecflaractcrs and plot OF "Moondyne,"
Boyle; O,Reilly's great novel In all
his, literary works but more especially
in his pcetry-thc reader had presented
to him the spirit which governed the
life OF man who embodied in himself
all the virtues OF 4 Christian hcro-a
man OF vast intellect and intense force
OF character. Gentle, tender, true,
warm-heartcd to all, binding men to
him by bonds OF love, inhaming them
with desire to follow through life the
course inspired by Christian charity,
Joined to sincere love for ireland,
John Boyle O'Rcilly served as the en-
bodlment oil a lay sermon far nighticr
than many delivered by even the most
gifted dlvncs. He had an ideal to act
UP TO which he ever strovc himself to
attain. and, in fine he commanded this
allegiance as a true son OF the old land,
4 true worslippcr OF the great God
Who has helped ireland through her
many difficulties and trials, and if an
ideal he sought Tor the youth OF ireland
to follow in her progress towards the
great goal to which they we're striving
none purcr could be selected, nor none
OF higher and nobler type than John
Boyle O Reilly.
MIR. Simmons. in proposing a vote of
thanks to the lecturer, said that the very
same principles which underay the ac-
tons OF John Boyle O'Rclly animated
the actions OF Irishmcn at the present
day: Save John Mitchell, in '4S, there
had been no trucr exponent of Irish
ideas than John Boyle O'Rclly, and it
would afford him (Mr. Simmons) very
great satisfaction If Boyle O'Reilly
Club were to be started in the city.
Mr.. John Gibbons, T. c., seconded
the vote OF thanks, which, on being put
TO the meeting, was carried by acclama-
ton, Count Plunkett, in putting it to
the meeting, expressed a hope that be-
lore very long Mr.. Ryan would afford
a still larger audience OF Dublin men
and women an opportunity OF once
Notwithstanding to his highly interesting
and. instructive lecture.
The lecturer suitably responded, con-
Guiding by proposing vote OF thanks
to- the Chairman Tor the able and digni-
fed manner in which he had conducted
Nthe proceedings, and this was also car
ried- by. reclamation, and amidst ap-
plause
Mr. Dunno (the President of the
Press Club) in seconding the vote OF