The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-17
MEAGHER'S ST. PATRICK DAY SPEECH
Brilliant Grafton Delivered by the Famous General Of
the Civil War in Old Virginia City Away Back
on March II, 1904 Generation Ago.

by Thomas Francis Meagher on St
Patricks day, 1865. to a large and KEEN
~ apprectative audience in Virginia
City. The address is reproduced YER
batfm from an old Montana newspaper
of the time:
Colonel Thomas Thoroughman. presi-
dent of the Catholic committee, came
forward and introduced Major General
Thomas Francis Meagher as the ora
tor of the day. doing SO in a most COM
plimentary and eloquent speech:
The general, on coming forward was
greeted with the most enthusiastic
cheering, after which he spoke as fol-
lows:
Sixteen years ago I spent the 18th of
March in the forest of Tasmania--a very
beautiful island, several thousand miles
from here, which her gracious majesty
OF Great Britain enabled me to visit,
having placed q sloop-of- war at my dis
posal for that delightful purpose cloud
laughter and cheers).
A lake, as large as this county, spread
itself away among the mountains that
overlooked my solitary dwelling. The
Wild birds, flashing and whirling over
the waters, were my only companions
If one can call such shy and Tightly
teri. But l peopled the lonesome scene
with friends who were far away. and
made 1t TEEN with memories and visions
of the dear land of my birth. loud
and continued cheers).
That lake became to me the Lake of
Killarney. Mangerton lowered above
me with its unfathomable punch bowl
the devils own punch bowl. cloud
laughter). Ross castle threw its stern
shadow into its bright depths. Up from
those depths arose The O'Donohue on
his white charger, and the air grew
sweet with the fragrance of the myrtle
and arbutus. The bugle sounded clear
and strong. calling the echoes from the
Eagles Nest; and as they replied in a
countless chorus I saw the 1.-THE stag
break from the waters edge and disap-
pear far up the mountain side. Gap
plause).
An island in the center of the lake
was changed to Innisfallen. The ruined
cloister of the monks whom Crofton
Croker has somewhat profanely immor-
talized, stood upon its rich sward; nor
was the Bed of Honor wanting, on
which Sir Richard Courtney, the hu-
lnorsome old guide. being once benighted
there, received his title. daughter and
cheers).
After little. boat swept by, freight
! ed with gay and handsome party, and
there. in the midst of it, sat Gansey.
the famous piper of the lakes. with his
great blind eyes. his snow white beard
and his maddenng music. There he
was in his ecstacy, making the boat
fairly dance to the tune of the Fox
Hunters jig Loud cheers.
The visions and memories | thus in
dulged in, are just the memories and
visions which every Irishman, whose
heart is in the right place, and who is
far from Ireland, INDUCES in. where's J.
ever he may be, this day. A glorious
day. 1t is sanctified and Illuminated by
the recollection that on this day nearly
1900 years ago Ireland was vouchsafed
her great apostle. loud cheers). On
this day, nearly 1900 years ago, the lurid
fire of the Druid began to pale and the
cross appeared in the kindly irish sky
cloud and enthusiastic cheering).
Well may the Irish people celebrate
this day, for it is a day which, at every
recurrence of it, attests the noble tidei-
ity Of that people to the faith that has
sprung beneath the axe and blossomed
in the blast Qoud cheers)-the faith for
which, steadfast and heroic, they have
borne centuries of ruthless persecution
treneWed cheers)-the faith which, iden-
titled with their ancient national as it
is, has been their fountain of consola-
ton in the midst of bitterness. and their
jeweled crown, radiating eternal rays
from the depths of their misery and des-
olation. Clear, hear, hear" and loud
cheers)
Ny Protestant fellow countrymen will
not, am sure, understand me to claim
that this day is exclusively a Catholic
festival. in speaking as l have done 1t
is their day as well as ours loud cheers)
and have no objection to their appro-
priating st. Patrick as a Jealous mem
har ~ hot Oh,
he would convert every mothers sowl
OF them" with that miraculous crozier
of his, should he ever get among them.
(Great laughter and cheers), 1t is |
say, their day as we'll as ours, for it has
been dedicated from time immemorial
to the nation at large-to the celebration
of Irish nationality. as well as the COM
memoration of the particular event
from which 1t derives its religious desig-
nation. cloud APPLAUSE
But was saying that the memories
and visions, to which l gave way in that
beautiful island at the other end of
creation 0aughter), were the memories
and visions to which every Irishman,
whose heart is in the right place, and
who happens to be out of Ireland,
wherever he may be, irresistibly gives
way to-day. Enthusiastic applause).
Every foreign Irishman goes home on
st. Patrtck's day. cloud laughter 1t
doesn't matter where he is, he jumps
at daybreak on to his phooka-the Pc
gasus of Irish gy-Uaughter)-
and tearing over seas and mountains
bidding defiance to thunder and turf
and lightning 0aughter). and the devil
himself. with all his works and pomps-
(renewed laughter)-lands in Ireland
precisely where he is best known, on
the spot that is most endeared to him,
and which the dust of his people for
generations and generations may have
sanctified. Great applause).
Why every one of you, boys and girls
(great cheering and applausel, are at
home with me to-day. There's not one
Of you in Montana. There's not one of
you has seen the Rocky mountains this
morning. You have seen the Galtees,
or the gray mountains of dark Donegal.
or Knock mel-down, on the top of
which, up in the drizZle and mist. that
sporting old buck of major lies buried
with his dog and his gun. (Great laugh
ter and cheers. Or you have seen the
Black Stairs of Wexford, or the purple
Reeks of Kerry. (Cheers) The Rocky
mountains have gone for the day, and