REPEAL.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 27, 8 February 1844, Page 4 (Supplement)

REPEAL.

Speech of Mr. O’Connell at Ballitore on Sunday, October 1. The chairman having given the next toast—“ Repeal of the Union and Daniel O’Connell after the performance of * Garry Owen.” the popular air of '9B. Mr. O’Connell rose atnid great cheering ind excitement. He said that day had yeen delightful and full of hope for him, because contradictory of the assertions af his enemies, full of consolation, because full of hope. lie rejoiced that they hud met at Mullaghmast, for that inerting had disproved the assertion of their opponents, that the Irish people were tired and disgusted, and their efforts for the regeneration of Ireland would end in apathy. Their enemies had done nothing, and therefore argued that the Uepealcrs would do nothing. 11 is answer to them was Mullaghmast. (Loud Cheers.) Peel had been valiant for his little hour, awl the Duke o f Wellington, who was caught napping one fine morning at Waterloo—(laughter)—declared of course that theie was nothing for it but war. (Cheers.) The Repea'ers had replied in a tone of fierce defiance, and their empty threats of w ar had vanished. (Cheers.) Now they had brought out the Queen against Ireland. Dear lady | He had the greatest respect for her, but that speech was the reason why they had assembled there that day, for they knew that speech was not hers. (Cheers.) Ireland had made her demonstration before, and hundreds of thousands of fighting men had met. ( Tremendous cheers and hurraing, which lasted some tiinp, all the company standing up unanimously.) Why one would think they had a taste for fighting! (Laughter.) l’hey had before met in the determination of the national will for the regeneration of the country, but that speech had made it necessary for them to meet again and to show that a Queen’s speech could not deter resolute and determined men from the pursuit of fiberty, and if the Queen had made a hundred speeches instead of one he effect would be the same, except that t might diminish the affection and respect mtertained for her by her Irish subjects, is being the first sovereign of her house vho ever seemed disposed to do them uslice. (Cheers.) How paidy and -elfish of Ministers to destroy that feeling or party purposes! (Hear, hear, hear.; The Ministry thought, like the rustic in vorthy old jßsop, that theStieam would low by, but lie thonghl it was rather overlowing at Mullaghmast. (Gieat cheerng.) Sugdeu who, he thought would tend a ticket even to his friend Arabin,) (laughter)—had, in ignorance of the Irish, asserted these meetings would lead lO breaches of the peace. In other countries such might be the case; indeed, he believed there was only one country in the world where meetings of hundreds or thousands could take place so, and that country was enslaved; but, by God’s blessing, she would soon be free. (Loud cheering. ) No one person had been brought before the sitting-end of the magistracy (laughter) tor a disturbance at those meetings. (Cheers.) Paltry, miserable speculators ! Delusive foolish hope ! The feeling which prompted the Poet to say— Land of my sires I what mortal hand Shall e'er unite the filial baud That knits me to thy rugged slraod ? animated the breast of every Irishman. (Loud cheers.) No ministerial wet blanket could smother that warmth. (Cheers.) The heart throbs, the arm

rises by willing impulse, and the love of fatherland illumines the surface of the sea-girt isles. (Cheers.) The learned gentleman proceeded to assure them that no cold water cure would do for them, though cold water had done much for Ireland, and filled its people with spirits of the best kind; and as to the Ministerial plan of letting them go their own road till their strength was exhausted and impulses worked out, he (Mr. O’Connell) thought they would find that road very long indeed, and that it would end only in the grave, or more probably, as he saw in his mind's eye, till it was crossed by freedom* He arranged that meeting to show the fallacy, and he would give them (the M inisters) a few more by way of “ tilly, By the time they had had six or seven more monsters he hoped the Ministers would be tolerably convinced that “ the do nothing ” policy would not remedy the grievances of Ireland. He confessed, for his own part, that so far from fearing that repeal would work itself out, he was afraid that impatience would have sprung up among the people. He feared not inaj differency,, but dreaded some sudden madness, Mr. O’Connell next alluded to the established church in the usual > “ incubvs ” style, and assured ProteatSnts they had nothing to fear. No country had ever been prosperous that had been governed by another. But he was afraid that in tbe struggles they would be rash, that they had not confidence in their leader. (Shouts of “We have,” and cheers.) How his heart thanked them for that cheer ; but knowing Iheir griev* ances, their burning bravery, he feared somebody would have an outbreak and gratify Sir H. Hardiuge, and give employment to his brandy and biscuit men. (Cheers. ) Oh ! they needed not tell him so now. His fears were vain. He saw men determined to bide their time, and take no steps, but such as wise men and God’s own priests approved of. Mr. O’Connell next alluded at some length to " the people’s magistracy” at the arbitration courts, nnd said they would show how in mitigating the harshness of the unjust laws and administering them in equity, they were fitted to legislate for themselves. Ireland had always been the instructress of the world, and when Rngland was buried in all the darkness of Saxon paganism, Ireland had absolutely taught the miscreants to write, and right bad scholars they had been. (Cheers and laughter.) It is not by accident (continued the hon. gentlemen) that we are upon the Rath of Mullaghmast this day, I anticipated and rejoice that it has happened. Where my voice is now sounding in your ears—where ye now stand on the green sod, there once was heard the’ wild shriek of horror and despair—the agony of the inflicted wound, the heavy feeble groan of Jfast approaching death. On this spot where we stand were the perishing, unarmed, and confiding Irish Chieftains, On this spot did they fall beneath the Saxon bayonet and sword, nsed in security, and therefore delightfully, dealing death to their plighted guests, whilst the triumphant shout was raised over on unarmed prey. 399 Irish chiefs perished here I I hey came, confiding in Saxon honour, relying on the protection ot the Queen, to a friendly conference. In the midst of revelry, in the cheerful mirth of the banquet bouse, the)’ were surrounded and butchered. None returned, save one. Their wives were widows, their children fatherless 111 their homesteads were heard the shrill shriek of despair,— the cry of bitter agony. (Sensation.) Oh, Saxon cruelty, how it cheers my heart in aU its misery to think [W e are sorry that our space will not admit of givicg the remainder of Mr. O'Connell’s speech, bat it will be concluded in our next, Ed. Curon.J The number of C&sholics in the United States has been lately estimated at 1,500,000, an increase of 200,000 since the beginning of the year 184?. New York Evening Pott.