The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-04-23
Tnscd,teS told Of
Hrebbisbcp Ryan


In 1914 he was 10 and student at Caow col
lege, Ireland In that year O'Connell visited the
college and the students were called upon to decaim
for his entertainment
He sat through the speeches, apparently paying
attention to them, so far outward sign
concerned, until lad, marked chiefly by thick
shock of fiery red hair, mounted the rostrum and be-
gan to speak. Then Mr.. O'Connel came out of his
shell, his whole attitude changed and he gave ear
nest to what the boy had to say from beginning
to end.
He did more. As the student was starting to
step down from the platform the great orator. in an
excess OF enthusiasm, walked over to him. placed his
| hand on the shock of red hair and said:
MY boy, your tongue will some day make you
famous. Don't neglect it, it is your talent"
That was all, but it stuck to young Ryan's mind.
Like other boys of his time he had made hero of
O'Connell, and he could not get away from the
prophecy 80 at last he told himself that, although
he was set aside by his family to be priest he
would still try to be what O'Connell said he could
be if he only would an orator
Three years later, just a few months before
OComels death at Genoa, he billed to speak
IN town near Thurles young Ryan's birthplace.
When the doors were thrown open red-headed bow
presented himself and started to walk through
Hey" yelled the doorkeeper, you can't get in
without ticket"
But want to hear Daniel O'Connel," protest. |
ed the lad F'O's4'
p, i haven't any money! confessed the lad
The man laughed
Then" he said, you'll not hear Daniel O'Con-
nell speak this night"
But the boy would not be DISCOURAGED He
sought out the stage entrance.
Il want you to tell Mr. OConneU that Patr;o1-
Ryan would like to speak to him." he said to the
attendant
And who's Patrick Ryan," asked the attendant.
Il am" replied the boy, "and want you to take
my name IN to him and tell him I'd, like to speak
with him for a moment"
This man laughed just as heartily as the other
one had He also said much about the boys auda-
city IN thinking he could gain audience with such
distinguished person as the Emancpator and he
dld not neglect to make other personal remarks
q ABOUT what Cardinal Gibbons has called "Arch-
bishop Ryan's red hat that nature gave him"
But young Ryan would not be laughed down.
lie had a tongue; Daniel O'Connell said it was
his talent; he wanted to see Daniel O'ConneI and
ne talked and argued and joked and bantered with
the man until finally the fellow becoming impressed
with the pleader's earnestness, took in his name
few minutes later Daniel OConnell stood be- ]
fore the boy.
''Welgp he said S
Mr. o'Connell." asked the youth "don't you
'emember met" f 90 -
The Emancipator took good look
Why, bless mel" he said, you're the bov whom |
praised at Callow college for speaking so well. l.
" hat are you doing here!'
The boy told him.
80 you want to hear ME speak" said O'Connell Il
We'll you shall. But first tell me what you are u u
oing now" m
i am studying TO be priest" was the reply. P
Good answered the agitator Keep it up
M dont neglect your tongue. You viii make your +
mark with it when you have entered the Church. n
)ome." - -
And so Patrick J. Ryan heard his idol from an t' dt
dVantageous seat the STAGE the great man once p
gam prophesled that the lad would make his mark
an orator; and the boys ambition, awakened
lree year before, had received fresh impetus ne
hu
The civil war had begun Thousands of Ire 1-L tn
nds best fighting men, forced to America in the W pu
te 4Os and sos by famine and obnoxious Ieeis- 't'
y 1ioii were hooking to the standard of the Union.
hole regiments being formed of them. Al.
Among the Irish volunteers in ST. Louis was q t
ung priest, Father Patrick j. Ryan, who had no,
me to America in 1852, and been ordained in the
flowing year in st. Louis. His services were ac-
pied as chaplain and he was assigned to mill inc
ry prison. Cyo
BY this time Father Ryan had begun to Justify hu,
'nlel O'ConnelTs prophecy. His sermons. from mn
time OF his ordination had attracted attention pat
lhey are different" said the people, and they rem
Ut IN increasing numbers to hear the priest who sai
% 'ouc te heart strings who was not afraid thi:
tel witty story IN an inimitable brogue and in
next instant draw picture that would bring the
rs" or,
DO Chaplain Ryan went among the soldiers in IN
prison as he had gone among the people in the dep
ms OF st. Louis He made those who were Sc
unded laugh even in and at their pain by his dow
; ne cheered I'D others with droH stories; he ly I
It the whole prison as cheerful as any prison can
by means of his tongue; and there are men
IN south today who will tell you stories that they the
rd from the lips of Chaplain Ryan when they men
prisoners between the years of 1861 and 1865 ton
In his work Chaplain Ryan came in contact with ngs
OF all sorts of religious beliefs and creeds acte
,er radical, he came to, understand how men cash
Id feel differently on the subject of religion and man
, be sincere, and so when he was mustered out of
he army and returned to his pulpit his sermons
marked not only by the eloquence and wit as in Il
ire, but for their liberal views as we'll oppo
Is result, Father Ryans name soon became of
Fn to Protestants, and before long his speaking
iantance with men of other faiths was as large
18th ms own, and good Presbyterians were laugh
at his latest stories every bit as heartily as the They
pronounced Catholic III his congregation w w
nus things drifted on, Father Ryan winning Befol
respect and regard of all creeds to the wear stirr
when the priests eoquence brought him his AS
ecclesiastical rewardthat of coadiutor bsb- M u, ~
f St. Louis.
he promotion was fueI for his oro+or;oo1 g. Son