The Rebellion of '98.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 9060, 8 June 1898, Page 4

The Rebellion of '98.

I COMMEMORATIVE GATHERI :> ~ ingw mjgkland; : THE ADDRESSES.

Auckland, June 7. A commemorative gathoring in cohlection with the Irish Centenary was held last evening at St. Benedict's Ball, about 800, being present., Mr John Oallnan, J.P., presided, and among the clergy present were— His Lordship; Bishop Lenihan, the VeryEev. Father Paul, Yicar-General Dr., Egan, Revs. Fathers Brodie, Buokley,, andi Brothers Henry and Fergus (Marist; Brothers), Above the platform was suspended the legend: " Who fears to speak of '98," On either side of the platform were the names of Father Murphy, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, ■■ Wolfe Tone, and Eobert Emmet.' The Harp of Ireland was conspicuous on either side, 'at the. angle of the platform,' while the Stars' and Stripes floated 'at the en*' trance to, the hall. The sides of the hall were draped with red, white, and blue, which greatly heightened the general effect. '. .-•. -The Chairman said they had met to commemorate a sad even J—the bocalled rebellion of '98. The men who fell in that struggle were animated by a love'-of cotmtry. Their successors, had gone on agitating in a constitutional manner., They were asking only for what was reasonable and just, and for that which the men of '98 bad laid down their the right of national self government. : • Bishop Lenihan was greeted with hearty applause. 1 He said they had just seen on that platform a specimen lof young Irish stock, while he stood |befoie them as the grandchild of one who had fallen in' the rebellion of '98, which proved so disastrous to the Irish people. His Lordship referred i to the early history of Ireland, and said she was the centre of learning among nations.. The time came when dissensions arose, 1 and an Irfoh chief gave his hand to an English sovereign, when Ireland betrayed Ireland. He ' pointed out her. subsequent history and hardships arid persecutions, and the- wrongs suffpred by the Irish revple.. Thi> U4 hi was not desired «y ;.h»''.• I'i'i&h pfopie, nor sanctioned l>y them, -nut was bfought about by the J grossest'bribery. Messrs' W. Whitaker and J. I). Connolly also addressed the meeting. ' The latter said he was glad to sue : from the large gathering present that 1 seven centuries had not lessened the ' i enthusiasm of the Irish people. There was nothing to fear and nothing to be » ashamed of in '98. It was a sacred duty: for Irishmen to commemorate it r all the y6ar round. The men of '98 ' had laid their lives npon the altar ol their country, and they that nighl j would be less than men did they nol * venerate their memories, Itwasmort fc pleasing to bury " the wretched past' 1 than to look forward to the time whei \ peace and unity would prevail, .ind th( - Irish nation again have restored to hei her lost rights. Though the aspira '. tions of Ireland were'at the present , enshrouded; in gloom and doubt, he '• believed that they would yet b< i realised through the Stars and Stripe; f and an Anglo-American Alliance. Ii r closing. Mr Connolly paid an 'eloquent 8 tribute to the memory of the late. Mj Gladstone, who had labored to redresi i{ the wrongs of Ireland, ■■■■> .* ■ | — ,