to with Christian patience—with resignation
to the will of God—(hear, hear)—with
modest, yet proud and firm adherence to principle
(cheers). They showed their love to Ireland
and their fear of God from the first to the last
(cheers). It is vain for me to attempt to detain
you with many words upon this matter. I will say
this, that all who are here do not approve of the
schemes for the relief of Ireland that these men
were supposed to have contemplated; but all who
love Ireland, all generous, Christian men, and women,
and children of Ireland—all the children
growing up to be men and women of Ireland (hear,
hear)—all those feel an intense sympathy,
an intense love for the memories of these three
men whom England has murdered in form of law by
way of striking terror into her Irish subjects.
Fellow-countrymen, it is idle almost for me to persist
in addressing weak words of mine to you—for
your presence here to-day—your demeanour
all through—the solemn conduct of the vast
multitude assembled directly under the terrorism
of a hostile government—say more than
the words of the greatest orator—more than
the words of a Meagher could say for you (cheers).
You have behaved yourselves all through this day
with most admirable spirit as good Irishmen and
women—as good boys and girls of holy Ireland
ought to be (cheers), and I am sure you will behave
so to the end (cries of yes, yes). This demonstration
is mainly one of mourning for the fate of these
three good Irishmen (cheers), but fellow-countrymen,
and women, and boys, and girls, it is also one
of protest and indignation against the conduct
of our rulers (hear, hear, and cheers) Your attendance
here to-day is a sufficient protest. Your orderly
behaviour—your good temper all through
this wretched weather—your attendance
here in such vast numbers for such a purpose—avowedly
and in the face of the terrorism of the government,
which falls most directly upon the metropolis—that
is enough for protest. You in your multitudes,
men, women, and children, have to-day made that protest.
Your conduct has been admirable for patience, for
good nature, for fine spirit, for solemn sense
of that great duty you were resolved to do.
You will return home with the same good order and
inoffensiveness. You will join with me now
in repeating the prayer of the three martyrs whom
we mourn—’God save Ireland!’
And all of you, men, women, and boys and girls
that are to be men and women of holy Ireland, will
ever keep the sentiment of that prayer in your heart
of hearts.” Mr. Martin concluded amid
enthusiastic cheering.
At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Martin, accompanied by a large body of the processionists, proceeded to the cemetery, where Mr. Martin visited the grave of Terence Bellew M’Manus. The crowds walked around the grave as a mark of respect for the memory of M’Manus. Mr. Martin left the cemetery soon after, end went to his carriage; the people gathered about him and thanked him,