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IRELAND TO AMERICA.

++ (From the Dublin Irishman.') News comes to us, across the sea. that two Irish Representatives have arrived in America, their mission being to present to the President of the United States an Address from the People of Ireland. This is an item of intelligence of considerable significance ; not like other pieces of news, which seem more important than they are, this has a depth of meaning which not every observer will at first sight fathom. The people of Ireland are sparing of addresses. -Across St. George's Channel there have gone none from us, as a nation, with England or any of England's authorities as the recipiendiary. Neither have there gone any elsewhere. One, indeed, was born to the young French Republic, when Louis Phillippe had fled the sparkling splendours of the throne, in the guise and in the name of Mr. Smith. The sentimental M. Lamartine was then, unfortunately for France, at the head of affairs, and he, not knowing the influence of Ireland on British destinies, and caring less for principle than for a favorable criticism in the London Press on his oratory, did sieze the opportunity to assure the world that he was at peace with Britain. His " cordial alliance " stood neither him nor Britain in good stead — sterner hands plucked out his peacock's feathers, and he retired into the woods to heave melodious sighs over the falling flowers.

In later days there went another address in the same direction, but to a man whose sword had preserved France as that of his mighty ancestor Brian had saved Ireland. With it went a glaive of steel and gold and gems, finely modelled after the exquisite Celtic fashion. The cordial and stately congratulations of an ancient nation to her noble offspring, in recognition of bis glorious feats on behalf of a kind and kindred people, were received with corresponding warmth, and answered with simple dignity. He whose brave hand poised that splendid glaive, now holds in the same hand the destinies of Prance, rescued from ruin, restored to order, progress and power. Now again is heard the voice of Ireland — that voice which never yet saluted triumphant tyranny. It echoes beyond the western main, in the capital of another mighty nation. Surely there is something significant in this intercourse between France, Ireland, and America. Our country could not now, could never have felt altogether forlorn, even in the time of bitterest oppression, when she remembered her position between two such strong and sincere friends, and the many bonds of amity that drew them close in heart and mind.

And it was not for nothing that the Almighty Ruler of the Universe cast the fortunes of this most ancient yet most vigorous Irish nation between France— the inheritor of Imperial Eome — and America, the predestined of the coming age. Partaker with the past, by her history — partaker with the future, by her vigorous vitality, this position seems to betoken for our country a dignity for the coming times commensurate with her lofty reputation in the past.

These Representatives who now go from Ireland to Washington, go to salute the future. It is an act strange, solemn, and full of portent. This is the only nation of the old world that was not sceptred by the Roman sword — its greeting is given to a nation in whom the Empire of the Caesars seems to be new-born into a nobler, ampler, and grander existence. For a hundred years, and more than a hundred years, the heart of Ireland has beaten in unison with that of the United States. It suffered with their sorrows — it exulted — oh, how it has exulted ! in their cause of joy. Ono has but to glance back into the traditionary records of our people — tho chronicled feelings of past generations bequeathed to the present, to understand the intensity of Irish sympathy with America's uprising. It was a sympathy Bvt tjhgwu jjo much in printed document:;, though they exist, a& in

beaming glance, exultant word, and daring act. Well might Franklm, in the name of the young Republic he represented, assure our country of the earnest sympathy of his own. Our fathers had worked to deserve it. In the Senate at home, in the press, but still more on the foughten fields of America, they had given the ample evidence of thought, word, and deed, that they were the friends of America— friends in life— friends unto the death ! It is meet and proper, therefore, that on this famous Centenary of American Independence the sons should renew, by a solemn ceremony, the pact of noble amity which was sealed by their fathers' blood. For, surely, the present generation is no unworthy representation of the past ! The blood of the children has reddened the fields made sacred by t u .e tombs of their ancestors. Against foreign foe and domestic enemy, Ireland placed her Emerald Standard beside the broad and Starry Banner of the States, and carried it through the roar and storm of many battles. For America, the personification of Liberty — for America, the generous refuge of the oppressed— for America, Ireland's second self. The cause of Freedom is Ireland's cause— whether it sinks or rises, there falls or ascends the cause of Ireland too. But the close and kindly ties of kindred thought, and feeling, and blood made the cause of America and that of Ireland not only similar but the same, in a thousand different ways. From the curving bays of New York to the Golden Gate of California, from the thunderous roar of Niagara to the sunlit seas of Florida, there are no regions in all that majestic continent where Irishmen have not lived and died, exulting in the presence of America, glorying in the memory of Ireland !

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.I whakaputaina aunoatia ēnei kuputuhi tuhinga, e kitea ai pea ētahi hapa i roto. Tirohia te whārangi katoa kia kitea te āhuatanga taketake o te tuhinga.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT18770406.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 209, 6 April 1877, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
965

IRELAND TO AMERICA. New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 209, 6 April 1877, Page 7

IRELAND TO AMERICA. New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 209, 6 April 1877, Page 7

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