Distinguished Irishman.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 123, 19 March 1872, Page 7

Distinguished Irishman.

The Belfast Weekly Examiner, in a long leader on the evidence of Irish brains in the world at present, has the following :—"Some of the leading British journals have stumbled upon the extraordinary discovery that political brains and a capacity for statesmanship are possible amongst Irishmen. The greatest political philosopher of modern, if not of all times, —Edmund Burke, Avhose very words are sparks of immortality, was so insipid to the dull auditory of the British House of Commons that Ills rising was the signal for clearing the benches; hence he was known as the 'dinner bell.' That the country of Burke, Grattan, and O'Connell should pro duce a statesman ought, one would suppose, to be no marvel. Often, for our race, through the felon's dock runs the road to a Premiership, or similar distinction. Millions of Englishmen applied, literally, to Charles Cavan Duffy the couplet, A patriot he, —for be it understood, He left his country for his country's good. So it has been for ages ; —the O'Donnells in Soain, the Cavaignacs, the O'Neills, and the M'Malions in France, the Nugents in Austria, attest the genius of Irishmen in the arts of war and government. If the British Colonies for the last century be examined, their most successful governors will be found to have been Irishmen. At present, the vast Dominion of Canada is ruled by a Cavan man —Lord Lisgar ; his predecessor, Lord Monck, being also an Irishman. Our Indian Empire is directed by the Earl of Mayo, also an Irishman. The Australian continent owns a Fermanagh man, the Earl of Belmore, as Governor of New South Wales, his predecessor having been a Cavan man. Queensland is ruled by Colonel Blackall, a Longford man ; while Sir Richard Bourke, a Garryowen man, was one of the ablest governors that ever set foot on that continent. A Donegal man, Sir George F. Bowen, rules New Zealand ; Ceylon exchanges a Westmeath man, Sir H. G. R. Robinson, for Mr Gregory, a Gal way man. A Down man, Sir C. E. B. Keunedy, rules Western Africa. Similarly, Hong Kong, Bermudas, Prince Edward's Island, and several other colonies are also ruled by Irish governors. If we pass from these to the higher judicial offices, to the Colonial Parliaments, and the leaders of political influence, we find Irishmen occupying distinguished positions. The last man that has risen to the political direction of a Colony is a Monaghan man, of whom the Celtic race may well be proud,—Charles Gavan Duffy."