CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE IRISH PEOPLE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 215, 8 June 1877, Page 3

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE IRISH PEOPLE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Washington, D.C., March 3, 1877. Mb Ca/ulfield — Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this session a congratulatory address from the people of Ireland to the people of the United States on the celebration of the centennial anniversary of our Independence was presented to this House and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I have looked anxiously for the report of that committee ; but I apprehend the extraordinary press of business before that committee, and the confusion in legislation caused by the unprecedented condition of affairs resulting from the presidential election, has prevented the committee from reporting. I think such an address at such a period in our history, from a people whose cordial love for this government and admiration for our institutions has been so unmistakably manifested from the beginning to the end of our centennial existence, should not be allowed to pass beyond the period of this session without its merited recognition and acknowledgment. Disclaiming, therefore, the least reflection on the Committee of Foreign Affairs, I offer the preamble and resulntions I send to the clerk's desk, and ask for their adoption. The Ulerk read as follows : " Whereas the people of Ireland, at a meeting held in the city of Dublin, July 4, 1876, representing all sections of that country, adopted with unanimity a congratulatory address to the people of the United States on the celebration of the centennial anniversary of American independence ; "And whereas from the infancy of the Republic down to the present time, the generous people of Ireland, who are allied to us by the ties of kindred and sympathy, have proven our friends in time of need, especially during the war of our independence, for which they twice received the thanks of the Continental Congress, and also of our Ambassador to France, the illustrious Franklin, in 1778 ; " And whereas at a crisis memorable in the annals of the war of the Revolution, when our brave soldiers under the command of Washington at Valley Forge were suffering the vicissitudes of poverty and distress from want of stores and clothing, they were

succored by the patriotic and munificent contributions of nearly a million of dollars generously tendered by twenty-seven of Ireland's sons in Philadelphia ; " And whereas by their fervent loyalty in peace, and patient sacrifices in war on every field from Lexington to Appomattor, evidenced by tlieir heroic conduct in the van of battle, our fellowcitizens of Irish nationality have ever been among the foremost to contend for the triumph of liberty and self-government; " And whereas, with a view to the appropriate reception and acknowledgment of the address of the people of Ireland, it has been presented to the House of Representatives of the American Congress; Therefore, "Be it resolved, by the House of Eepresentatives, that the people of the United States of America accept the congratulations of tlie people of Ireland, with a profound acknowledgment and grateful recognition of the cordial sympathy always entertained and manifested towards themselves and their institutions, from the first struggle for freedom of our infant nation to the present time ; and sincerely hope that the example of this Republic will spread its benign influence among the nations of the earth until the principles of self-government shall be firmly established, and descend, as a sacred heritage, to all future generations/* Mr. O'Brien. — Mr. Speaker, this Congress should not adjourn without a cordial reception and acknowledgment of the address of the Irish people tendered to the American people on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of our nation's independence. No nation in the world has afforded deeper sympathy with us during our career as a republic. Prom the dawn of freedom on this continent the sons of Ireland were distinguished for their noble zeal in behalf of the principles of liberty. By centuries of suffering from every form of tyranny and despotism, and unparalleled sacrifices on behalf of self-government-, the people of Ireland had become illustrious ; and when our first struggles for the rights of the colonies began, Ireland's sympathies were extended to America, and Ireland's sons were foremost in the contest, hy sea and land, contending for our independence. There is no field, whether in the peaceful departments of letters, the arts, and sciences, or on the bloody field of war, where America, during onr first century's career has achieved fame and triumph, but that a full share of the laurels crowned the brows of the sons of Ireland. To-day, the greetings of Ireland are responded to by millions of American citizens of Irish nativity whose love of our country and devotion to its interests stand unsurpassed. Let 'every American whose pride in his country's greatness is an inspiration of patriotism remember that the principles which have made us the foremost nation in the world have been cherished for centuries by the people of Ireland, and that though bound by the iron despotism of British power, they have never failed to contribute to our glory and prosperity. Ireland in chains and America free are kindred nations, bound together by the inseparable ties of blood and the tenderest sympathies which could make two separate nations friends. Brothers, though in adversity, they rejoice in our success, and bid us God speed for the centuries to come. Lefc us, Mr. Speaker, accept their congratulations, and in the hopa that the day of liberty may soon dawn for the oppressed of every clime we will give renewed courage, hope, and life to a brave and chivalrous people. Therefore, if necessary, Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the preamble and resolutions. The preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.