HIS LIFE, POEMS AND SPEECHES.
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Hundreds of prelates and priests echoed the sentiment throughout the country. I can select but a few from the multitude of messages received at that time. Ex-President Cleveland wrote from
Marion, Mass., August 13.
Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, telegraphed to Mrs. O'Reilly:
Washington, D. C., August 12.
His parish priest, who best knew his spiritual side, Rev. J. W. McMahon of St. Mary's Church, Charlestown, said:
I have always had a great admiration for the man ever since he came to my parish as a member. As for his career before that time that, too, commands my respect and admiration. He was a single-minded, open-hearted man—a man who loved liberty for itself, and who wished everybody to have a fair chance.
He was a good husband, a good father, a good Catholic and a good man.
Generous praise for his life's work and sincere grief for his untimely death were bestowed by the fellow-authors who had known and loved him. The venerable Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote:
Beverly Farms, Mass., August 12.