FROM THE ARCHIVES:A campaign to erect a statue of Henry Grattan in Dublins College Green was launched by the editor of The Nationand later Nationalist MP, AM Sullivan, using funds raised in a testimonial for himself while he was in prison the previous year. The plan had widespread political support but The Irish Timeswas sceptical of the nationalist-controlled Dublin Corporations role. – JOE JOYCE
TOO MUCH praise cannot be given to Mr. Sullivan for his munificent donation of upwards of £300, and for his disinterested initiation of the movement for erecting, even at so late a period, a monument to Henry Grattan, worthy of him, of the city, and of the country.
Mr. Sullivan’s idea was that the statue should be a national one raised by no small section, by the whole people and all classes. The fame of Grattan is the inheritance of Ireland, and every Irishman who feels pride in his name should heartily join in honouring it.
One of the speakers at the meeting held to inaugurate the movement yesterday, inquired why we have so few statues to our illustrious men. The melancholy answer at once supplies itself – because the name of the man whom it is proposed to honour is instantly caught up by cliques struggling for notoriety, and ready to rattle a patriot’s bones in order to gather a little gaping crowd about themselves.
We earnestly hope that this effort to raise a memorial to Henry Grattan, so manfully and frankly commenced by Mr. Sullivan will not be degraded by being made the shibboleth of party, or be suffered to lapse into the meddling and officious hands of any narrow section.
Henry Grattan’s name is too sacred to be made to serve the purpose of some persons who, unfortunately, in this country systematically seize upon every circumstance or occasion which should be devoted to a national objective, to glorify themselves and obtain notoriety. Many noble and patriotic movements have been frustrated or altered in their national character by the intrusion of such persons.
An idea prevails, very generally, that the Corporation of Dublin have taken this movement into their own hands. Nothing could more effectually mar the success of the whole proceeding than this. We are painfully and to our cost reminded daily that our streets are seas of mud, that bog-water is supplied to our houses; that the taxation of the city has been raised to nearly ten shillings in the pound while there is nothing to show for it. These facts, patent to all, are not calculated to give the public much confidence in any movement inaugurated by the Dublin Corporators. No time should be lost or effort spared in making known that it is on a national basis this effort proceeds, and that it is not originated with the object of affording scope for windy declamation or corporate harangues, or wild and reckless political theories; but with the one great and honourable purpose of paying an honest tribute to the memory of one who was an honour to his country.
http://url.ie/8l48