GRATTAN AND IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 152, 31 March 1876, Page 15

GRATTAN AND IRELAND.

++ The ( London Universe' says :—": — " In a few days Ireland will do honor to one of her most illustrious sons, one of her purest patriots, one of her most gifted orators. The statue of Henry Grattan, executed by his distinguished fellow-countryman, Foley, is to be unveiled on the 6th of January, opposite the old Irish Parliament House, in College Green, Dublin. This will be a truly Irish and truly honorable inauguration of the New Year. It is almost impossible now to measure the greatness of the sen-ices which 3, rattan rendered to Ireland. It is true that the Parliament to which he gave independence passed away ; but it is also true that the spirit of nationality to which he gave life and vigor has never died out since the memorable era of " glorious 'B2." His far-seeing mind beheld in all its fulness the great fact, that if the fire of patriotism be once enkindled a nation will not let it die. "When Gratt.iu ro-.e. none ihu>t oppose The claim lie made fur freedom. "Born in a time (17-10) when every Irish Catholic was ground to the dust by the cruel despotism of the penal liws, Grattan grow up hating that tyrannical code. He felt, however, that before lie could begin to tear the fetters from the Catholics, he must unshackle the Irish Parliament. This he did by wondrous energy and splendid eloquence in 17b2. He then set to work to effect the liberty of his Catholic fellow-countrymen, and in 1793 he succeeded in winning for them a large portion of their liberty. It was left for O'Connell to win the rent in 1829. Throughout Grattan's long and honorable public hie, of nearly half a century, he devoted every energy to the effort to strike away the chains -which bound Catholics, and though he made a mistake as to the veto, there is no doubt of the stainless purity of his motives. He died a martyr to his love for his Catholic fellow-countrymen, for it was the longjourney which he, though very ill, undertook, in opposition to medical advice, in order to advocate the Catholic claims once more in the House of Commons in 1820, that brought him to his grave. " Grattan's opposition to tbe Union was marked by powerful oratory. It must have been a thrilling moment when, during the greatest debate on the subject of that measure which has worked such woe to Ireland, the veteran patriot entered the Irish House of Commons. He had been re-elected the night before, and travelled all night to be in time. A Spring sim was flinging its morning light on the Senate house when Grattan entered, and was received by friends with delight and by enemies with respect. Even Castlereagh rose to pay him homage. The speech which Grattan delivered on that morning — in 18U0 — has never been surpassed. It was, however, unsuccessful, for corruption had done its fell work and the Irish Parliament sank. " Dearly does Ireland cherish the beloved memory of Grattan. He sleeps in a foreign grave in Westminister Abbey, in uncongenial proximity to Pitt and Castlereagh. Ireland has a right to the honored dust of one who toiled so nobly for the good of all her children, and perhaps the day may come when she may clasp to her bosom the remains of that glorious patriot, whose dying wish it was to rest in his own loved native land. We say no more to-day than to express the hope, that the approaching event may be marked by everything that can give additional honor to so glorious a friend of freedom, and so sterling a patriot. E^er jrloriou-, Giattan ' the hesL of the jjood, So simple in lieait, c o sublime m thu iest, With all that Demosthenes vantcil endued, And his mat 01 \utoi in .ill he possessed.