EXTRAORDINARY SPEECH OF THE MEMBER FOR WATERFORD.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2839, 21 March 1878, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY SPEECH OF THE MEMBER FOR WATERFORD.

Major O'Gorraan has been making a most remarkable speech at Water ford - At the weekly meeting of the Bsard of Guardians in support of the Eoman Catholic paupers being buried with the burial lerrices of their Church, last week be said: I must say, ai a preliminary observation, that I [eel the greatest posiible sorrow at this miserable subject being introduced to this board. I say that it is a miserable subject to introduce. Gentlemen coming from the country (to the rural guardiuns), T rather think you have forgotten the old times. I rather think you forget that 300 years ego the Catholics of Ireland were persecuted with a determination only known in Poland, and despite the persecutions we were subjected to—despite the.determined efforts of the accursed English to destroy Catholicity in Ireland—what is the proved fact? Why, that 92 per cent, of the population of Ireland are Catholics, and this great country, please God and it will be a great country —(•• Hear, hear," from several guardians) —will show a still greater proportion in favour of the old Catholic faith. At the census of 1861 the Catholic population was 78 per cent., and in the succeeding four years it increased 4 per cent, and, with the help of God, il will go on increasing until the whole population is C^holic. Am Ito be told that, after our trWiphs, extending over 300 years, we, as Catholics, are io forget the duty we owe to our clergy and the Catholic dead r What is it that drives the people into these wretched workhouses P I will tell you. In 1831 these horrible houses were built for the reception of the Irish poor. We supported our poor well enough before that; but through the kindness of a foreign Government we were told that we ■were to be relieved of their support, and being driven into them we are asked when they die to turn the back of our hand to them. . For the four years I have represented the city of Water ford in the accursed House of Commons I have done my duty. _I will continue to do my duty to my constituents and my couutry; but with what sorrow should I go back to that horrible House, full of enemies to my country, if I felt that enmity to the poor of my country was cherished among my own fellow-countymen by denying them their burial rights. What has filled our Irish workhouses P I will teli you. Before free trade was passed by an English Parliament how did things stand ? Why the 41b loaf was 3fd, but we were told that if we had free trade we would have a larger loaf for the same figure, if we did not get it for nothing—but have you observed, as I have done, that the 41b loaf has risen from 3|d to 4d, sd—yes, even Bd, under-free trade. If that is Tree trade for Ireland, the back of my hand to it. What has free trade done for Ireland ? I will tell you. It has turned all our red ground into grass from which to rear cattle to feed the accursed English fellows who have trampled upon Ireland, and who.would even do it now; but with the help of God we won't let them. What has free trade done more than this P I'll tell you. It has turned the poor of our country into these horrible, miserable bouses. The poor have been driven into the workhouses because there is nothing to be leen but grass—a state of things that has been brought about by the laws of the infernal country which governs us; laws which,, jf carried out, would allow of our. poor Iristi people being thrown after, death into a hole, just as you would throw a dog into a ditch. But I say, if you as Irishmen countenance such a thing it will not be natural, it will not be Irish. It will not be creditable if you refuse to sanction the payment of a miserable half-crown as a fee to the Irish priest who will read the burial service over our poor dead. Mr Clampett (excitedly): This attack on Protestantism is entirely out of place. You Beem to forget that your wife is a Protestant. Major O'Gorman (becoming greatly excited and stamping his foot): How dare you, sir, mention my wife's name at this board! Mr Clampett (equally warm): You have made an attack to-day on the Protestaet religion, and your wife is a member of that Church. Major O'Gornian (majestically): Your presumption in introducing a lady's name into this board-room is—(after an attempt to control his feelings)—how dare you, sir, presume to mention my wife's name hereP Mr Clampett (warmly): Sou have made an unwarrantable attack on the Protestant religion; Major O'Gorman: lam stating nothing but what is a fact. I say that the English people are the most brutalised people on the face of the earth. I will give you an illustration in support of my assertion. In Birmingham,, one of the largest towns in England, and one in which the feeling is strongest against Turkish barbarity, I'll tell you what recently happened. At a place of entertainment the wife of a performer was engaged to walk on a tight rope. She felt unwell, and wanted one evening to be excused. The proprietor of the place refused to excuse her; and that night, while walking along the rope, it broke, and she was killed. The manager appealed to the audience to allow the performanco to be suspended for the evening, but there was a general outcry that he should go on, despite wljfet had occurred. And these are the riuians who find fault with the Turks for defending their country ! And what happened in Ireland ? We got as bad treatment, but our clergy said mass for us amidst the direst persecution; our clergy stood to us. The major concluded by urging them to bury the paupers with the burial service of the Roman Catholic Church. He asked them not to adopt Captain Power's resolution. After a short conversation it was resolved not to accede to the views of the major, and a resolution to that effect was adopted.—Home News.