The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-03-17

admitted than denied, apd, at length,
the Catholics themselves were obliged
to break through a resolution which
they had formed, in order to guard
against Misrepresentation, for the pur-
pose OF repelling this worst OF misrep-
reservations. To rciutc calumny di-
rected against them, as sect, they were
obliged to come forward as a sect, and
in the face OF their country disavow the
base conduct imputed to them, and to
declare that the assertion OF their being
favorably inclined to the measure OF a
legislative incorporation with Great
Britain was i SANDER the most vile-a
libel the most false, scandalous and
wicked-that ever was directed against
the character OF an individual or 4 peo
pie.
Sir" continued Mr.. O'Connell, sit is
my sentiment, and | am satisfied it is
the sentiment not only of every gentle
Catholic people OF Ireland. that if our
opposition to this injurious, insulting
and hated measure OF union were to
draw upon lis the revival OF penal laws
we would boldly meet prescription and
oppression which would be the tcsti-
monials of our virtue, and sooner throw
ourselves once more on the mercy OF
Our Protestant brethren than give our
assent to the political murder OF our
country Yes, | know do know that
although exclusive advantages may be
anonymously held forth to the Irish
Catholic, to seducc him from the sacred
duty. which he owes his country, l know
that the Catholics OF Ireland still re
member. that they have a country, and
tl.at they will never accept OF any ad-
yantages, as a sect. which would debasc
and destroy them as a people.
After which MIR. O'Conncl moved
certain resolutions which were unari
mously agreed to.
The first OF these resolutions was:
"Resolyed, That we are OF opinion
that the proposed incorporate union o.
the legislature OF Great Britain and Ire
land is, in fact, an extinction OF the lib
crty OF this country, which would be re
duccd to the abjcct condition OF a prov
incc,. surrendered TO the mercy OF the
ministers and legislature OF anothcr
country, to be bound by their absolute
will and taxed at their pleasure by
laws, in the making OF which this coun
try could have no efficient participation
whatever
Very great Importance is attached to
this meeting, to which Grattan referred
three days afterwards in the Irish house
OF commons.
The Catholics OF the city OF Dub
lin," he said, have come forth in sup
port OF the constitution. | rejoice at it.
They have answered their enemies by
the best possible answcr-by services.
Such answer is more than rciutation--
it is triumph. Ii the constitution re-
cover there is 4 long and bright order
will have contributed to that event Ii
she perish they will have done as an
honest man ought in such an extreme
casc--they will have flung out their last
setting glories and sunk will, their
country"
In his speech in the great debate be-
lore the Dublin corporation on the re-
peal OF the union in February, lS43.
O'Connell thus alluded to his maiden
speech" and gloricd in the fact that he
had fought against the union:
Perhaps he remarked, it may be
said that these are the sentiments
formed for the OCCASION and announced
at the present time for particular pur-
pose. Allow NE to say-and 1t is graft
lying to myself and not disagrccablc to
those around me to mention it-tllat |
do not borrow these opinions for this
or any other occasion, but they have
been The leading doctrines OF the entire
OF nv political life. | took part in
opposition to the measure OF 1900 |
heard in this room lin William street,
debate against the union at a meeting
OF the Irish bar, and on that occasion
Saurn addressed the meeting from the
very spot where ! now stand The mo-
ton was then carried by great major
ity-thc minority Gin favor OF the unlon)
was only 81; but it is curious enough
that there was not one OF these 81 who
has not since been placed or pensioncd
and by a stranger coincidence three OF
them are still Gin lS43) on the bench
The first time | ever addressed a public
meeting when | shuddcrcd at the echo
essential particular it shows the same
OF my own voice, was on Jan. 10, 1900
That was my maiden speech and it wa:
much against the union OConncl
then described Major Sirr's interrupt
ton, and said: 'Undismaycd by thl
interruption, ! addressed the meeting
and | wish to show what my sentiment
then were by reading a paragraph iron
my published speech. l can bear tcstl
mony to the accuracy OF the report, be
cause I wrote it myself. The original
in the hands OF member OF my family.
OConncll read an extract from tn
,..I,:..l. lava t.nnrnl,1cnl ~