AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 35, 25 December 1885, Page 19

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.) December 3, 1886. Thb last scene in the late Orange attempt to excite disunion and create religious rancour had not yet been enacted, the dulcet tones of the " mannish little woman 1 ' who has piping for the especial amusement of the Orange rabble for the last two months had not yet died away when the renowned Irish dramatist and actor arrived, and with him the destruction of the fond hopes raised in the bellicose breasts of the Masters and parsons of the Orange and purple, by the eloquence of their Grand Mistress Biddy O'Gorman Auffray. For several weeks in Auckland and the townships in its neighbourhood, under tbe patrenage of Presbyterian and Methodist parsons, she had been pouring out all the filth in her capacious vocabulary on popes, bishop*, priests, and nuns in general, and on Irish " papists " in particular, and moved all the powers of ear) h and hell for that purpose. But her thundering has vanished into thin air, and the only mementoes left to record her visit are the empty purses of her credulous deluded patrons. Mr. Boucicault was met at tbe steamer by tbe mayor, councillors, and principal citizens, and was driven to the Star Hotel, four grey horses being attached to the carriage. All parties united to compliment him for bis patriotism and talents, and he responded in his usual patriotic, hapDy style. Before his arrival it had been arranged by the Irish National League of Auckland to present him with an address and Mr. J. J. Crofts was deputed by that body to wait on him and ascertain when he would receive it and the time was fixed for Monday last at noon at the Star Hotel Although the idea of an address first emanated from some members " League," and the intention was to confine it to members of that body, on tnatnrer consideration it was determined by tbe promoters to invite all classes and creeds of Irishmen to join in it, and the affair turned out the most thoroughly representative Irish gathering that ever took place in Auckland. Sir G. M. O'Roike, who took a most active interest in the getting up of the address was to bave read it, but was unavoidably absent. The following are the names of some of the gentlemen present at the presentation : — Mr. Thomas Thompson, M.H.R., Judge O'Brien, Messrs. D. A. Tole, J. M. Shera, J. M. Brigham, P. Gteeson, 1.N.L., P. Darby, M. Gallagher, W. H. Teuton, T. Baylan, Thomas Mahony, D. G. McDonell, T. McCabe, J. Ouigley, M. Sheeban, sen., M. Bheehan, jun., T. Flynn, Walker, D. Lynch, W. Jones, 1.N.L., F. Flaherty, V.P.1.N.L., W. Eyre, Courtney, E. F. Miller, Louis O'Connor, hon. sec. 1.N.L., G. A. Reid, Walnutt, J. Jennings, V.P.I.N.L. and J. J. Crofts, 1.N.L., honorary secretary. Mr. Thomas Thompson, M.H.R., for City North, having in the absence of Sir G. M. O'Rorke been invited to make the presentation said : — Mr. Boucicault you are doubtless aware that is the wish of you fellow-countrymen in Auckland to present you with an address as a memento of your visit amongst them. They desire to express their heartfelt pleasure at having had you in the midst, and it is matter of regret to me that Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who promised to present the address should do doubt from unforeseen circumstances — be prevenfrom doing so. In common with my fellow countrymen of this city, I feel it to be a pleasure, and a gratification to have you amongst us. I regret that there his been occasion to call upon me so unexpectedly ; but at any rate, if I cannot express myself bo eloquently as Sir Maurice O'Rorke would have done, he could not bave spoken more heartily (applause) Without any further remark I will read the address that has been prepared for presentation to you. It is as follows .—. — •' To Dion Boccicault, Esq. " Farewell address from the Irishmen of Auckland to Ireland's renowned Dramatist and Actor. "We, your fellow countrymen of every creed, every grade, and every shade of opinion, residents of Auckland, desire to congratulate you on the success you bave achieved in enacting your own plays throughout Australia and New Zealand. " It is a source of pride to us that one who has won such a distinguished place on the roll of illustrious Irishmen has paid a visit to these remote cullies, and that, both on the stage and c>n the platform, you have nobly upheld the character of Irishmen. "The frankness and manliness with which you have avowed the opinions you hold respecting our native land have won even the esteem of our fellow-colonists who do not hail from the Emerald Isle, and the love of country which on all occasions flows from your lips is appreciated by them as an emblem of your patriotic heart. Of this love of country we claim no monopoly, but we venerate the same feeling when it warms the breasts of our English and Scotch fellow-colonists. " To our countrymen at Home, may we ask you to take this message from us : That we watch over their destinies with unflagging solicitude, that we long to hear of better days dawning upon them, that we attribute our contentment and prosperity here to the right of self-government which New Zealand enjoys ; so different from the lot of our native land, which was robbed of its selfgoverning powers by corruption and fraud, and whose fall has been sanctified by the immortal language of its Carran and its Plunket, by the life-long labours of its O'Connell, and by the glory of Grattan, and genius of Moore. Tell them, too, that we still have an abiding faith that, as Ireland has survived the terrible penal laws, the cruel land laws, the famine, expatriation and wasting of its people, and even the direst result of bad government, so a merciful Providene* will yet interpose and ransom the remnant of our people that still cling to our native soil from the miseries that for seven centuries have afflicted our beloved country. •' In bidding adieu to you and Mrs. Boucicault, we wish you both still higher honours and a long and happy life, and that repose in your old age which an industrious life and an arduous profession so richly deserve," (Here follow the signatures of all the gentlemen •atttd above.)

Tbe address ni engrossed, illuminated and framed by Mr. J. Slater, architect, Queen street, and it an excellent work of art. Mr. Boucicaalt, in reply, spoke at follows -.—Gentlemen, I thaak you very sincerely for tbe honour you bare shown in selecting bm as your messenger of peace and goodwill to our country. Before 1 accept that commission, I desire that you should know a little further what kind of man you have employed and what is the nature of bis sincere convictions, for I would not bare yon, under any circumstances, give m« that commission under false conditions. I will talk to yom, not atone who utters an oratorical speech, for of that I am incapable. lam not an orator or a public speaker, bat eimply an honest saen and a sincere Irish citisen. There are certain features connected with this address which you will allow me to particularise, for they are charming to me. My fellow- country men of every creed, every grade, and every shade of opinion, both political and religions, are here represented and united. United I— that is the great test — that is the important term. It has been the lack of this union that has been the source of all Ireland's troubles. She was never conquered except by herself. She was never subjected except by herself. She was never abjected except to herself. She was conquered by her own strife, subjected chiefly by her want of coherence, and rendered abject continuously by her own suicidal troubles. You see I can speak of her faults as well as represent her virtues. But when I do speak of her faults, I say that she is the victim of them chiefly, and that she never would have been that victim had she been under no one else's feet. Now, there were 8,000,000 of population in Ireland when I was bom — that was in 1822. When I came to full manhood's estate there were only five millions. What became of the other two or three millions f They came here to learn freedom, and they went to tbe United Btates to learn to be united. That great population and their children aae existing there and here now in a noble condition of independenceshaving gained the respect of the world by their conduct, »y their loyalty, by their peace, by their energies, and by their talents. They have shown England what she has lost (.applause). Now, about six years ago I was invited by an Irish party in the House of Commons to meet them, and the object that they had was to discover— as I had been a long time resident in the United States— what measure of support the part; might expect in case of a general election from the Irish in tke United States. At that time the Irish members were abeut thirtyeight to forty-one strong. If by any possibility they go* forty more seats they were confident of being able to sway and control the House of Commons. I told them that the Irish in the United States, like the Irish everywhere else, all over the world, except in Ireland, by their energies and by their good conduct, had earned wealth and position, and were honoured in the several countries and colonies which they inhabited. I told them that they looked back upon and had a certain distrust of the coherence of Irish parties, and that if they could feel sure that the Irish party in the House of Commens would show an unbroken front and be true to itself, there was not the slightest doubt that they could draw for any amount to be supplied, but not under any other conditions. The members constituting that party bare been true to themselves and the consequence is that they have received that support and drawn for it both from these colonies and from the United Btates, and now, in the preseat elections, I think they will get their eighty seats. (Hear, hear, and loud applause.) Now let them use their power in a dignified manner —in such a manner, gentlemen, that you will be proud of then. The other parties will undoubtedly be very nearly evenly balanced. What minister will accept office under such conditions f What minister can possibly carry out public affairs if the serried ranks of eighty Irish members, sworn to be faithful and true, were determined that there should be only one issue to be fought, and that that one issue must be given f They will send Ireland to mind her own business at home. They will get all that w possible for Ireland, vit., all that is prudent and proper for her to have. (Applause.) Now, we have a great deal to talk aboat tbe dismemberment of the British Empire. Well, gentlemen its only a bogie. Let us knock the stuffing out of that scarecrow. (Laughter and applause). Whal was the matter with England before the year 1800 f Was she dismembered or disorganised ? So far as my memory serves me she was tben the moet powerful and most respected monarchy in Europe. At that time «he subeidied Russia and Prussia. They were her paid servants in war. She held Spain under one arm and Italy under the other. She held Napoleon under her foot and she did that very largely with the assistance of Ireland. (Applause). Gentlemen, what is the position now ? Does she hold as great a position us the Councils of Europe, and before the other Powers f I say, " No." (No, no, and applause.) I think so far aa I can see, that she abstains fiom a sense of fear and weakness ; that she— l will say— fawns upon the United States ; that she flatters Russia, " letting, I dare not, wait npon I would"; and that she crawls on her belly to the German B»> pire. That is the result of— What? Of being a United Kingdom and union with Ireland. (Applause.) I tell you, gentlemen, that the dismemberment of the British Empire dates from the Act ef Union (Loud applause.) I say that previously Ireland was loyal, and I can prove it by all her acts. But she suffered bitterly for her loyalty, and since that the rebellion has been endemic. Is that union ? I call it disunion ; and I say that when Ireland gains what she wants, and a true union of the three countries is completed, she will be as hearty and loyal as any of the others. (Loud applause). People may say, and do say, that when Ireland had her own Parliament that it was a very bad one. The reason for that was that it was elected by English landlords. Ido not sa/ that when she gets her Parliament even now that it may not be a bad one. But, as Touchstone remarks to Audrey in the play, '• It is a poor thing, but it is my own." You may, some of you, have disorderly families, but you are better off with a disorderly family of your own than to be compelled to take a share in another man's family that doea not belong to you, however good it may be. (Laughter and applause.) Now, I do not want any dismemberment of the British people, including tbe Irish people. (Hear! heart and prolonged applause.) Ido not want anything of the kind, for I know that my country has contributed Very greatly to the glory of the British Empire, and in its cause has

lavishly given both blood and trea«ure. In literature, and in art too, the fortunes have been linked together, but I say she is no loneer going to be the Cinderella of the British Empire. I want her to retain her share in the firm, but carried to a separate accouut. Ido not want a divorce, bnt I want for her a restitution of conjngal rights (Enthusiastic appiauae ) Well, now, gentlemen, some few years ago I was offered a seat in Parliament by some foolish people who thought I deserved it. Well, I did not. I though, and I think wisely, that I can do those that I love far better service by taking my own way and doing my duty in that state of life to which it has pleased God to call me, and I have exercised my abilities in that direction. You have perceived very kindly the object I have mixed up with my own works. Now in pursuance of that object. lam about to take your kind message of comfort and encourage iraent to the bleeding hearts at home. I will give them this assurance r—that as the wandering Arab in the desert, when he utters his morning and evening prayer, turns his face with his heart full of devotion towards the burial placo of his prophet and his creed ; so Irishmen, all over the world, when they utter their prayers for their native ""I"** tarn their !«"»■ towards that little Island in the Atlantic H f?f JS 7 *™ ?D Ud itoi t0 P™ 01 * 1 ? 1 M the birth-place of themselves or their fathers. (Prolonged applause.) «. J be Bev \ Father » O>N / U * nd Hegarty, C.5.5.R.,-arrived here by the Manapoun yesterday, from Sydney. They are to give a series of missions here, commencing at Parnell on Sunday nexc. Much eood vs^sztaSs^ vißit of the gooi *—»**■* *&»

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