The Irish standard., 1908-04-25

strike off the chains that bind the
Cross Of Christ. but give me the man
who labors for both. I respect all the
others; but love with my whole heart
and all my sympathiss are with the
poor-the poor. abandoned. persecut-
ed Irish peasant.
When I go on board your emigrant
ship-which l do whenever l am in
your city-and when see the poor old
haggard look, and white, scattered
locks of tangled hair, carrying his lit
tie granddaughter on his back; and
when I behold the poor, tottering old
grandmother, without bonnet or a
cap, with her little grandson on her
back; when l look at them carrying
children to the ship. my heart melts
to see the miserable looks Of our poor
Irish children, their little bare legs
hanging in front in the pelting snow
and the biting frost-1 weep for those
poor little exiles, when think Of their
being wrenched at such a tender age
from the fostering care of mother
and kind home. 1t is a heartrending
sight to see three generations-the
grandfather, the son, and the grand
child-crawling in hunger on the gang
ways of the emigrant ship, doomed
never again to kiss the Irish primrose
and lay their feet on the green turf
of their country. I always bid these
poor exiles a last farewell, with my
eyes full of tears and my heart BURST
ing with unmngled feelings of Irish
sympathy and legitimate political an
ger; and when l take my place on
the shore, and see the ships weighing
their anchors, swell their canvas, and
move slowly on through the foam
ing deep, I hear my heart foretellng,
as she clears the river, that she is a
large ocean hearse, and that before the
sun sets twice she will bury her large
cargo in the foundations of the sea,
amidst the crashing horrors of the
yawnin2 abyss, and the moaning ter
rors Of the midnight tempest
How grateful l felt, on reading the
speech OF Mr.. John O'Connell. to see
the feelings he entertains for his poor
countrymen. 1t is what expected from
his generous heart, and gives an addi-
tional credence, if such were wanted,
of his devotion to his country. But
must say that, as all my sympathies
are with the poor, banished. prosecuted,
exterminated tenantry, feel all my
to Ireland such a law of tenant-right
as will protect her poor from the cruel
law Of wholesale determination; and
the men who struggle to procure such
a law for the poor deserve the admira-
ton of their country, and the gratitude
of posterity: and feel great pleasure
in stating here. that in a communica-
tion have had in London with one Of
the flrst-I may say the first Catholic
1rishman-of our present Irish party
in the House of Commons, he stated to
me that If a national testimonial OF ten
thousand pounds were decided on for
Mr.. John O'Connell, he would be found
at the head Of the list. and, by his for
tune and exertions, carry out the work
to it's fulfillment. did not name Mr..
Moore, but suppose as said he was
the first, you have selected him. Well,
as you have named him, shall leave
1t so, from my respect for your opin-
ions.
You all recollect the tale Of the Queen
having during her stay at Balmoral,
asked a Scotch girl what o'clock 1t
was? The girl replied: "Whatever you
please, ma'am." Now say to you in
reference to Mr.. Moore, whatever you
please;" but when have good thing
to say between friends. like to say it.
l wish I could make up tho breach in
the ranks OF our gallant Irishmen; |
would willingly go on my knees to i'm
plore all our friends to bury private
opinions, and unite in one compact BODY
for the protection Of the poor.
OVER THE NORTHWEST