The Irish standard., 1902-02-22

rude hand of tyranny, so confidently
turn for serene repose.
"Long may she prosper-gathering
into the bosom of her great family the
children of all nations-adding to her
territory, not by the sword of the SOL
dier OF the sublety of the statesman,
but by the diffusion of her principles
and the consonance. of her simple laws
and institutions with the good sense
and purer aspirations of mankind.
Long may she prosper-each year
adding to her stock of strength and
dignity and wisdom, and high above
her countless fleets and cities, even to
the last generation, may the monu-
ment of her liberty be deserted!
"In the darkest storm which shakes
the thrones and dynasties Of the old
world, may it. stand unsca thed! In the
darkest night which falls upon the
arms of a struggling people, may it
Shine forth like a cross in the wilder
mess and be to them an emblem of
hope and signal of salvation.''
1t was only natural that among the
warmest and most heartfelt greetings
extended to Mea CHER was that of his
personal friends and comprehensive
refugees of '4S-then resident in New
York and Brooklyn. Chief among
these were Richard O'Gorman, John
Dillon, Thomas Devin Reilly, Michael
Doheny, DR.. Thomas Antisell, Joseph
Brennan, and John Savage. The re-
union of these devoted patriots was in
deed happy one and amply made
ramends for the many sufferings which
their exile had entailed.
Meagher declared his intentions to
become citizen of the United States
pon August 8, 1852. He made. two ex-
ceptions to this rule Of declining pub
lie receptions. One was the parade of
the New York National Guard on the
Fourth Of July, and the other a grand
military and civil reunion of his own
countrymen, at Castle Garden, on the
9th Of the same month, 1852.
At the reception which followed the
parade of the National Guard Meagher
Twas most enthusiastically welcomed,
and the toast of his health was pro-
posed in the following ringing words:
'The health of Thomas Francis
Meagher-a traitor to England-but
the young and devoted champion Of
Irish liberty, to the cause of which we
drink the speediest success"
Those were the days of genuine
American soldiers. English toadies
had no place then in the National
| Guard.
Meagher delivered his first lecture
in America, under the auspices of the
Mayor Of New York, Hon. Ambrose
G. iAingsland, at Metropolitan Hail.
toward the close of November, 1852
| The desire to hear him was so great
that thousands of people could not
gain admission to the hall. The same
was the case in all the subsequent
lectures which he delivered in many
of the principal cities of the Union
| Everywhere he went he was received
I%with the widest enthusiasm. Leading
men all over the country WED with
each other in doing him honor.
At Philadelphia he was waited upon
by President Tyler's two sons, John
and Robert, while he was introduced
to the audience by the Hon. John
Binns, rebel of '9s, then in his 81st
| year.
Taking Mr.. Meagher by the hand,
the white-haired patriarch said, with
much emotion:
"Let an Irish rebel of 1903 intro
duce to this meeting an Irish rebel of
1882
President Pierce rendered him the
hospitalities of the White House, but
he was unable to accept them, owing
to his lecture engagements.
If possible, the South outdid every
other section Of the country in the
warmth Of his welcome. While
Meagher was deeply grateful to the
people Of every section for the enthu-