The Irish standard., 1900-03-03
Who Lived at the Beginning Of
the 10th Century.
THE GRAFTON OF CHARLES PHILLIPS
Well Worthy Of Being Preserved
in a Scrap Book.

The following eloquent culogy Of
America and George Washington was
delivered at the beginning OF the GEN.
tury by Charles Phillips, the brilliant
Irish orator, at a banquet given to
John Howard Payne, the American
poet, at Dina's Island in the Lakes OF
Killarney:
1t is not with vain hope of re-
turning by words the kindnesses which
have been literally slowcred upon me
during the short period of our ac-
quaintancc, that I now interrupt, for
moment, the flow OF your fcstivity.
Indeed it is not necessary; an Irish
man. needs no requital for his hospital
ity; its generous impulse is the instinct
OF his nature, and the very conscious
ness OF the act carries its rccompense
along with it. But, sir, there are sem
sations excited by an allusion in your
toast, under the influence OF which si-
lencc would be impossible. To be asso-
ciated will, Mr.. Payne must be, to any
one who regards private virtues and
personal accomplishments source of
peculiar pride; and that feeling is not
little enhanced in me by recollec-
/, ton OF the country to which we are
indebted for his qualifications. Indeed,
The mention Of America has never failed
TO fill me with the most lively emotions.
In my earliest infancy, that tender sea-
son when impressions, at once the most
permanent and most powerful, are
likely to be excited, the story of her
then recent struggle raised tllrob in
every heart that loved liberty, and
wr,lng reluctant tribute even from dis
comfited oppression. saw her spurn-
ing alike the luxurics that would ener-
vatc, and the lcgions that would intimi-
date; dashing from her lips the poi
soned cup OF European scrvitudc, and,
through all the vcisstudcs OF her pro-
tractcd conflict, displaying a magma
nnnity that dcfcd misfortune, and a
moderation that gave new grace to
the vision of my
childhood; it will descend with me to
the grave. But if, as man, l vene-
rate the mention of America, what
must be my feelings towards her as an
lrishman? Never, oh never, while
memory remains, can Ireland forget the
home OF her cmigrant, and the asylum
of her exile. No matter whether their
sorrows sprung from errors OF enthusi-
asm, or the realities OF suffering, from
fancy or inflction; that must be re-
served for the scrutiny OF those whom
the lapse of time shall acquit OF par
tiality. 1t is for the men OF other ages
to investigate and record it; but surely
it is for the men Of every age to hail
the hospitality that received the shelter
less, and love the feeling that befriended
the unfortunate Search creation round,
where can you find a country that pre-
sents so sublime view, so interesting
an anticipation? What noble institu-
tons! What comprehensive polcyl
What wise equalization OF every politi-
cal advantage! The oppressed of all
countries, the martyrs of every creed,
the innocent victim of dcspotic arro-
gancc or superstitious phrensy, may
there find refuge; his industry encour-
aged, his piety respected, his ambition
animated; with no restraint but those
laws which are the same to all, and no
distinction but that which his merit may
originate. Who can deny that the ex-
istcnce of such country presents a
subject for human congratulation! Who
can deny that its gigantic advancement
offers field for the most rational con-
jccture At the end OF the very next
century, if she proceeds as she seems to
promise, what wondrous spectacle
may she not exhibit! Who shall say
for what purpose mysterious Provi-
dence may not have designed her! Who
shall say that then, in its follies or its
crimes, the old world may have inferred
all the pride of its power, and all the
pomp of its civilization, human nature
may not find its destined renovation in
the new! For myself, have no doubt
OF it. have not the least doubt that
when our temples and our trophies shall
have mouldered into dust-when the
glories OF our name shall be but the
legend of tradition, and the light of
our achievements only live in song;
philosophy will rise again in the sky of