Thomas Francis Meagher Commemorated By NIFC in Montana -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Tue, Jun 26 2007, 20:10:40 PDT
Author: National Irish Freedom Committee
Subject: Thomas Francis Meagher Commemorated By NIFC in Montana

National Irish Freedom Committee
Cumann na Saoirse N�isi�nta
http://www.irishfreedom.net/

On a recent visit to Helena, Montana, members of Cumann Na Saoirse N�isi�nta placed a wreath at the imposing monument of Thomas Francis Meagher that stands in front of the Montana Capital Building. A direct descendent of Meagher was also in attendance.

Thomas Francis Meagher who became known as �Meagher Of The Sword� was born in Waterford, Ireland in 1823.. He was educated by the Jesuits in Clongowes, County Kildare, where, at an early age he displayed oratorical skills that were to become a hallmark of his career. He was later sent to Stony Hurst College, in Lancashire, England, where he completed his education in 1843.

He joined O Connell�s Repeal movement in the early 1840�s where his oratorical skills were used to make the case for a sovereign Ireland He was compared favorably with Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet.

In 1846, Meagher made his first speech on a crowded political platform, in Conciliation Hall, Dublin. He made an immediate and lasting impression on Young Irelander, William Smith O� Brien who chaired the event. When the 'peace resolutions' were introduced, Meagher was expected to subscribe to the doctrine that the use of arms was at all times unjustifiable and immoral, a doctrine he abhorred. Instead, he delivered a speech that has never been surpassed for its brilliancy and lyrical grandeur.

The following brief excerpt from that speech shows why he was called Meagher of the Sword.

�Abhor the sword - stigmatize the sword? No, for at its blow a giant nation started from the waters of the Atlantic, and by its redeeming magic, and in the quiverings of its crimsoned light, the crippled colony sprang into the attitude of a proud Republic�

Meagher�s speech was cut short and the Young Ireland leaders, O'Brien, Meagher, Duffy, Reilly and Mitchell left the hall. Thenceforth "Meagher of the Sword," a designation typical of his leonine courage, ancestral escutcheon, and a presage of his military career in the United States, became the virtual leader of "Young Ireland."

He was a founding member of the Irish Confederation in 1846 and in 1848.

He was one of three delegates appointed to present an address of congratulations to the French Republican Government.

Upon his return in 1849 he made two famous speeches that were transcribed in shorthand by English agents. As a consequence he was arrested, charged with treason, found guilty, sentenced to be hung drawn and quartered and his body to be disposed at the pleasure of Her English Majesty.

The colonial governor of Ireland exercised the option of transportation and on the 29th July 1849, he was with O'Brien, McManus, and O'Donohue, were sent to Tasmania

Early in 1852 he made his famous escape from Australia, landed in San Francisco and arrived in New York in the latter part of May. He soon became a popular lecturer, and in 1853 published a volume of his speeches on "The Legislative Independence of Ireland." He traveled a great deal during that period and drew large crowds who were enthralled by his oratory in the cause of Irish freedom.

In September 1855, after preliminary study with Judge Emmet, he was admitted to the New York Bar. In 1856, with assistance of John Savage and the Labor brothers started the "Irish News," which, continued publication for several years.

On the secession of the Southern States, in 1861, he threw himself with ardor into the contest for union and liberty. He raised a company of Zouaves for the 69th N.Y. Regiment and at Bull Run was acting Major with characteristic gallantry,

On the secession of the Southern States, in 1861, he threw himself with ardor into the contest for union and liberty. He raised a company of Zouaves for the 69th N.Y. Regiment and at Bull Run was acting Major with characteristic gallantry,

He next organized the Irish Brigade, raising over 7,000 men and was untiring in his support for the Union cause, He delivered addresses in different parts of the country, urging his countrymen to rally under the federal flag and repay to their adopted country the debt they owed for a priceless citizenship.

On the 18th November 1861, he left New York for Washington with the first regiment of the Irish Brigade and others followed in rapid succession. In February 1862, he was appointed Brigadier General, and in the Peninsular Campaign his brigade distinguished itself at Mechanicsville, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard and Malvern Hill, and at Antietam where he reinforced Keyes, Porter, and Kearney in the nick of time.

At the conclusion of the war, he was appointed Secretary and Acting Governor of Montana. He was traveling on the steamer Thompson at Fort Benton, on the Missouri River, where he wrote letters to his wife and to Harper's Magazine, enclosing an installment of his "Rides in Montana," and others.

On July 5th 1887, Thomas Francis Meagher �Meagher of the Sword� the man who never fell off his horse in the all of his military engagements allegedly fell into the Missouri River and lost his life.

To this day people in Montana and elsewhere believe that English agents who were known to be in the area had assassinated Meagher.

It certainly would not have been in England�s interest to have a man so dedicated to Irish freedom sitting in the Governor�s chair in the American state of Montana

Photos at: www.irishfreedom.net

National Irish Freedom Committee
Cumann na Saoirse N�isi�nta
http://www.irishfreedom.net/

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