Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
_faith which they professed,
238 :
The Catholic Herald.
RELIGION IN WASHINGTON,
* Wasuixorton, July 3, 1843.
Sunday last (yesterday) was a memorable
day for the congregation and children of St.
Mathew’s church. ‘This was the day for the
different sodalities to approach the Holy Com-
munion, and truly lovely was the scene which
the church at this moment presented. The
old and the young; the aged parent and his
youthful son; the feeble mother, assisted and
supported by the more vigorous arm of her
devoted daughter, were present. Well, in-
deed, might it be said, in the language of
Holy Writ. “Lord, it is indeed good for us
to be here.””.” fe .
At the appointed time four hundred and
eighty approached the Holy Table. The
most interesting portion, however, of the
day’s celebration, was witnessed at the eleven
o’clock service, when the Most Rev. Dr. Ec-
eleston administered confirmation to a large
number of children and‘ adults, many of
whom, we have been informed, were converts
to Catholicity. At eleven precisely, the pro-
_cession,. composed of the children of St. Ma-
thew’s Sunday’ School, numbering upwards
of six hundred, moved from the chapel as be-
fore, around the outside of the church singing
hymns. ‘There also were the clergy, consist-
ing of the Rev. Samuel Barber, celebrant of
the day; Rev. Mr. Ray, as Deacon, and Rev.
Mr. Blox, as Sub-Deacon, all of Georgetown
College. The young Acolytes, twenty-four
in number. attracted no small portion of at-
tention. Having performed the circuit of the
church, the procession entered the middle or
principal door, and walked in the same so-
Jemn manner around the interior. The scene
at this moment was beautifully interesting.—
‘The Archbishop was seated at the altar, with
countenance beaming with joy,'as he beheld
this youthful band thus openly glorying in the
‘Two bundred
and thirty received confirmation on this occa-
sion, about eighty of w!
from different religions.
crowded to excess, and the heat was almost
* insupportable, yet very few left the church,
although the serviee was not over until half
past 2 o'clock, P. M. The Most Rev. Arch-
bishop addressed the audience in a brief,
chaste, .and appropriate manner, and | ex-
pressed his delight at the spectacle he that
moment beheld... At the close of the mass the
Qrocession returned. in the above manner to
the place from which it had started.
In the evening at 6 o'clock, a scene some-
thing similar. was witnessed, and a large num-
ber of premiams were distributed to the chil-
dren, hus closed the day’s celebration. —
Baltimore Sun. .
en
Correspondence of the Courier & Enquirer.
an Donut, July 3, 1843. ©
My Dear Colonel,—When I took leave of
you and the ever kind friends who accompa-
nied us down the bay, I did not expect so
soon to visit the Emerald Isle ; but taking ad-
vantage of a wind notill enough to blow good
to nobody, though it resisted the progress of
our own good ship. A party of us came on
shore, near Cape Clear, in a small boat to the
beautiful village of Conotmasherry, near the
old head of Kinsale, and have had three
charming days in Ireland.
I need scarcely say that an American who
visits Ireland as the travelling companion, and
as I may be permitted to add, the friend of
Bishops Hughes and Purcell, sees and enjoys
the country and its provincial hospitalities in
an eminent degree.
‘e were fortunate in reaching Cork six
hours before that distinguished philanthropist,
Father Mathew, left for England; and equal-
ly fortunate in reaching Dublin the same day
that the not less distinguished Reformer, Da-
niel O'Connell, returned to the city.
. _ Thisis to be a great day in Dublin—*The
Trades” and citizens generally meet on Don-
neybrook Green to receive Mr. O'Connell,
who returned on Saturday evening from a tri-
umphant Repeal visitation through Ireland.
« The * Liberator’ sent his nephew last
evening to say that he should be happy to see
us (Bishop Hughes and his friends,) at half-
past nine this morning, at which hour we
called. “We were shown into the Library of
his house in Marion Square, where Mr. John
O'Connell remained with us until his father
came down and gave the Bishop a mest cor-
dial reception, apologizing for his ** late” ris-
ing with the remark that he had been * tak-
ing a full drink of sleep,” as was his custom
after holding communion with his countrymen
if the mountains. Te entered immediately
and with much enthusiasm into conversation
about the demonstrations ‘of deep-toned senti-
ment which manifested itself wherever he had
heen; of the universality of feeling; of the
reasoning and reflecting characteristics of the
movement ; of the determination of the peo-
ple to obtain lawful redress ; and of the peace-
fal and orderly character of the immense
gatherings he had witnessed. .
The name of Bishop Hughes is an open
ses-same” charm to every Irishman’s home
and’ heart; but my letters of introduction
(from Governor Seward and Very Rev. Dr.
Power,) would have ensured me a warm wel-
come... Our morning interview ended by an
engagement to dine with him at 6 o'clock, af-
ter his return from Donnybrook Green. He
also invited us to return at 11 and see ‘* The
‘Trades’ pass from his baleony. . Returning
promptly at 11, we had an hour's interval, and
then we saw what seemed the whole city of
of Dublin, paying the homage of the heart to
Treland’s great man. It was a truly sublime
spectacle. .
At 12 o’clock, Mr. O’Connell showed him-
self to the multitude that had been gathering
for more than three hours. His appearance
upon the balcony, dressed in Irish manufac-
tures, with large Repeal buttons upon his
green frock coat, ‘made the welkin ring.”
He was attended. by two of his sons and a
dozen grand children, and by our Bishop and
his friends,
“The Trades” began to advance in proces-
sion, with their banners-and their bands, soon
afier 1 o'clock. Each * ‘Frade’ was pre-
ceded by its officers in open carriages, and its
marshals on horseback. houts went up
from the dense’ masses about the square as
“the Trades” approached ; and each, as it
passed, gave ‘three cheers for Treland and
O°Connell,” and received the salutations of
acknowledgment. . Lis
‘The banners carried. ia the procession
showed how ruinously trade and commerce
has been affected by the Union. Upon the
banners of the Coopers was the following in-
scription :—
Coopers employed in 1800, 564
- do. . do. 1843, 183
* Decreas 184
The banner of the Hosiers showed the
following decrease :
~ Hosiers employed in 1800 967
dodo 1843 100
Decrease, 867
Upon another banner was the following :
Bricklayers employed in 1800, 3000
lo do 1843. 300
One of the banners with * God save the
Queen,” upon it, displayed O’Connell (in
green) kneeling to her majesty.
Another read “ America and our Friends.”
* And another, with a fine view of the Irish
Parliament House, (now the Bank of Ireland,)
and this motto: . .y
“Our old House and Home.”
Several banners displayed this motto :
«United to support but not combined to injure.”
‘There were twelve or more bands in the
procession, playing national and popular airs.
The procession was two hours and a quar-
ter passing Mr. O’Connell’s house. Wives,
with their infants in their arms, accompanied
their husbands in the procession. ‘The utmost
order and decorum was preserved.
Thomas Steele, Esq., a trve and genuine
Irish Protestant, and a devoted friend of Q'-
Connell, acted as Chief Marshal.
When the last of the ‘I'rades (the ‘* Chim-
ney Sweepers” with their, band and banner,)
. Mr. O’Connell took Bishop
Hughes and Father DeSmet, (an estimable
and philanthropic Jesuit Missionary from
Belgium, who is doing much good beyond
the Rocky Mountains, and who was our fel-
low passenger,) into his own carriage, and as-
signed ours a place next to him in the proces-
LON.
And then the sea of heads and the densely
wedged mass of bodies, moved onwards to-
wards Donnybrook Green; and for two miles
the houses on either sides of the streets, filled
to their utmost capacities with ladies and gen-
tlemen, resounded with acclamations. ~_
Nor was this, in any sense, an idle pageant.
There was nothing of display or ostentation.
It was all heart—all soul. It was a sponta-
neous tribute of the love and gratitude of an
oppressed people to their bestfriend and ablest
champion. O
In numbers, this procession may be com-
pared to the Croton Watercelebration in your
own great commercial metropolis. In enthu-
siasm, I can only compare it with our recep-
tion of the venerated and beloved Lafayette.
“In the centre of Donnybrook Green, a large
staging, with seats and awnings, had been
erected. In the anxiety to’ get near the sta-
ging, from which the Liberator was to speak,
our earriage got separated from his, but before
the meeting was called to order, ‘*make way
forthe Americans,” was shouted by those who
surrounded us, and we were ushered upon the
stage in the most flattering manner.
John ©’Conner, Esq. who is the Presi-
dent of the Trades’. Association, stated the
objects of the meeting in an effective manner,
closing with a well-deserved compliment to
the citizens of Dablin for the order, decorum
and propriety which distinguished their con-
juct,
et.
T left the “Liberator,” at four o’clock ad-
dressing between two and three hundred thous-
and people, in order to get my letter to Liver-
pool in time for to-morrow’. Boston steamer.
‘The speech of Mr. O’Connell, as indeed is
this whole Repeal movement, was eminently
a
3
cific,
I regretted the necessity of leaving before
Mr. O'Connell closed, as much as I regretted
to lose the opportunity of dining at his table
with Mr, Steele and two or three distinguish-
ed gentlemen whom we were to meet there.
Tam sorry that I am so much hurried as to
be able to give you but a meagre account of
this great popular movement.
‘Truly yours,
FOREIGN.
IRELAND.
Great Repeal demonstration in Clare—Din-
ner to O'Connell in. Ennis.
These important demonstrations took place
on Thursday the 15thinst. There were from
400,000 to 500,000 persons assembled on
the occasion, many of whom came long jour-
neys from the counties of Clare and Limerick.
The bands and banners of trades were really
beyond enumeration, and were spread over the
entire surface of the race-ground, There were
some French gentlemen spectators of this
scene.
THE MEETING. .
Cornelius O’Brien, Esq., M.P., was calle
to the chair. The Rev. Mr. Sheehan propo-
sed the first resolution. He remarked, that it
was said they wanted civil war; but he asked
were there any symptoms of war there that
day ; but their enemies wanted a false pretence
to rvin the people and their cause together,
The people were using moral means for the ac-
complishment of their purposes, and their op-
ponents were talking of brute force. If, they
tried to remedy the effects of centuries of mis-
rule and religious bigotry and anti-Catholic
hate, it was in vain they were reminded of the
mighty empire, in which the sun never sets,
and there was no redemption from the domi-
nation of England. They were, like the fallen
angels, —
“In sight of heaven, but feeling hell.”
They might admire the British constitution
without ever being permitted to partake of its
sweets.. (Hear.]) Why were they threaten-
ed with this bugbear—this power of England?
Were they not the right-2rm of this haughty
mistress of the ocean that rides triumphantly
over its watersshe would sink into the abyss.
(Cries of * Hear, hear,””]. England could not
fight without them.- [Loud cheering.] They
threatened them with another ’98, and with
exhibitions similar to those which gave a
melancholy notoriety to that fatal year; but
let it be recollected that it was the attempt to
put down the voice of the people by force that
led to the war in America, and the capture of
the British army at Saratoga,
Mr. O'Connell came forward, and was re-
ceived with loud cheers.. When the cheering
had subsided, he said—Men of Clare, I have
news for you, the Repeal is coming. (Cheers.)
We are on the very verge of carrying the Re-
peal; it cannot.be long postponed. Clare
has spoken, and Ireland shall once again be
free. (Cheers.). When I told you Repeal
was coming, it was founded on this—that Clare
was speaking out again, and that I am addres-
sing twice as many as ever congregated togeth-
eron the subject of emancipation. (Hear,
hear.) I told you at the time that emancipa-
tion would be useful, principally to the high
and rich classes, but the Repeal of the Union
will be useful to the poor and humble, to the
working classes, and industrious . classes.
(Hear, hear.) It is for them, blessed be hea-
ven, Lam working now. I hope] am working
out my salvation, constituting a national com-
pact and national government, that shall carry
into effect the blessed counsels of the Evange-
list: clothe the naked, feed the hungry, set
the prisoner free, and give comfort to the now
forlorn and wretched. (Cheers.) © Clare beat
Wellington and knocked, down Peel, and
laughed at both for falling. (Laughter.) , We
did it, my countrymen, before, and though
not born in Clare. I have claims upon Clare.
(Cheers.) ‘The blood of my family is in
Clare, is it not, Mr. O’Brien?) Chairman—It
is, and I am proud of it. (Cheers.) ‘Mr. O’-
Connell—Yes ; the tombs of my ancestors are
in Clare... My: ancestor, Brigadier-General
O'Connell, who commanded a battalion at the
fatal fight of Aughrim, and who never fell off
or shrunk back, but fell fighting on the spot
where he was posted—(cheers)—he bled and
died for Ireland. May heaven rest his soul.
Chairman—Ile is buried at Ignah,. Mr, O’-
Conne}l—You say right; his bones rest there,
but the spirit that animated him is alive.
(Cheers.)
_ Wo tread the land that bore us,
Our green flag flutters o'er us—
The friends we have tried are by our side,
Aad the foes we hate before us.’
[Lond cheers.]
Yes, the green flag of Clare is flying again.
Wellington and Peel, the foes we hate, are
quailing beneath its fluttering; and on the
summits of the loftiest hill in Ireland that flag
shall be placed, and let me see the hand that
will ever bring it down. * * * I have,
within the last fortnight, addressed two mil-
lions of men like you—cheerful, healthy, de-
termined men. I have seen in very myriads
assemblages with more than the giant’s fabled
strength, and able in their power to conquer
Europe, and Asia too. In the majesty of their
might they are irresistible; but one thing
makes them sure of the contest, and that is,
that their force shall never be used to assail
others, (* Hear, hear,”? and loud cheers.)
They must begin, and in it we will find certain
defence. We will not violate the law, or ex-
ceed the bounds of peace and order, but let no
man that ever existed attack us. Is there any
person there would join me on such a day?
I will prophecy again: Iwill prophecy once
more, and I will prophecy that we will not be
attacked; and one great reason for my thus
leading out the physical force and power of
Ireland, is to demonstrate the folly of the ma-
niac or the lunatic that would think of attack-
ing as brave, as loyal, and as peaceful a people
as the Irish. ey will not attack us, and we
will not attack them. We will carry our
cause notwithstanding that, and carry it by fair
means. (‘** Ilear, hear,” and cheers.
The domination of the Saxons is drawing toa
close, and the time is approaching when Ire-
land shall belong to the Irish. | (Tremendous
cheers.) * * * Iam compared to Washing-
ton; he was driven to the field, and obliged
to take up arms, but I know a trick worth two
of that—(a laugh)—but if the Russians, or the
Scotch, aye, or the English, were to assail us
against the constitution and the law, they know
little of me, who think thatI would be amongst
the last that would stand up for Ireland. I
tell you the country is about to be free: this
gigantic movement is on its mighty march;
it is spreading to the loftiest pinnacles of vie~
tory, carrying on its banner the words peace,
submission to the law, morality, piety, justice,
religion—all the awful and ennobling sensa-
tions and excitement that govern the human
mind.
The meeting wasalso addressed by the Rev.
Messrs. Mahon, Quaide, and Walsh, and by
Messrs. Steele and Maurice O’Connell.
DINNER.
The Liberator was entertained in the even-
ing ata public dinner.
After the toast of O'Connell and the speedy
“Repeal of the Legislative Union,” had been
drunk agidst enthusiastic cheers, the Libera-
tor rose to return thanks. ‘In the course of
his address, he contended that the question of
Repeal was nota party or sectarian one, and
that the’ progress of the Repeal movement was
not marked by bigotry or fanaticism, but by
love of country: and peaceful combination.
The hon. and learned gentleman then proceed-
ed as follows :—It was said that the Govern-
ment would put us down; but did they put
us down? (‘* No,” and cheers.) Have they
read my reply ! did they intimidate me? did
they make me crouch. (No, no.)’ They
made use of an unconstitutional threat, they
refused to listen to the entire Irish nation, they
threatened us with civil war, they, took the
position of erime and tyranny, and I dared
them to fight. (Loud cheers and waving of
handkerchiefs in the ladies’ gallery.) John
Bull has money in the funds, and it would be
a losing game if he went to fight poor Paddy.
And what could they have off him but: his
skin? and, according to the practice of their
Saxon ancestors, they would take that from
him if they could.
“A painted vest Prince Vortigern had on,
Which from a naked Pict his father won.”
(Hear, hear.) “There has been division amongst
the enemy ; and I think I can venture to as-
sert that the division is at an end, and that the
coercion will not be used or attempted. I have
this day received information, which I believe
from aman incapable of deceiving me, and
that is not to be himself deceived, that the
Peel party for conciliation have triumphed,
and that some attemptto see how they can buy
us off willbe made. They might as well at-
tempt to coax the birds off the bushes, as at-
tempt to deceive us, but I am ready to meet it
in perfect good humour. (Hear, hear.) If
they were ready to sever the church from the
state of Ireland, 1 am ready to receive it, and
there would not be less sincere Protestants in
Ireland because every person had to pay his