‘THE BEGINNING OF THE END.’

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 33, 21 March 1844, Page 4

‘ THE BEGINNING OF THE END.’

(From ihe Tablet.) The last day of last week will be memorable in the annals of Ireland. On that day the Repeal Association published the following : “Address to the Irish People. “ Corn Exchange Rooms, Uct. 16, 1843. “ Fellow Countrymen,— We most heartily congratulate you on your excellent temper and good sense, and on th« tranquil demeanour and peaceable conduct which you have evinced, and still evince, under circumstances of no small irritation. The management, to speak ia very mitigated terms, of the late proclamation must be admitted by all to be, at the least, highly incautious. We could not say less, ot it ; and we do not desire losay more at present, lest we should be accused of wishing to continue an eX« citement which it is our first object to mitigate end extinguish, You know full well you can place the most implicit reliance upon us. We never will give you any advice inconsistent wiih your safety, or with the due maintenance of the public sentiment in fayor of the independence of tbe Irish Legislature. You know that we cherish the pure flame of patriotic devotion to Ireland—you know that the sacred love of father land animates our bosoms with the determination never to abandon the pursuit ol the Repeal of the Union until the Irish Parliament shall be restored. “ With these convictions on our minds, we readily anticipate your ready acquiesence in our advice. We state to yoa distinctly that the only way to obtain the Repeal of the Union is by legal, peaceful, and constitutional exertion. It is ntterly impossible that a nation pursuing such a course should not obtain its great object, that rational liberty which must include the seif-mauagement of local affairs. If you commit a crime you strengthen the enemy. If you violate tbe law or break the peace, you fortify your foes. It is alleged that you are unfit for self government. Oh, how falsely alleged J The best proof, indeed, and the most brilliant that you can give of your capability of regulating your public affairs, is the readiness with which you submit to the advice of your known friends, and the care you take not to originate or commence an attack upou any person. The alacrity with which you submit not only to the reality, but even to the semblance of legal power, proved that you are better lilted to manage yout national concerns than are those in whose hands the practical detail of public business happens to be at present vested. We therefore, confidently advise you to observe the strictest order—to avoid all pretext for riot, tumult, or breach of the peace— to adhere firmly to your principles, but at the same time, not to interfere with the opinions of any others. It is our duly as well as our interest to conciliate evciy body—to injure nobody, firmly to repudiate all connection between ihe Repeal question and any distinction ot creed or reunion. VVlml we seek is not tor the benefit of a sect or peisuasion, but is intended equally for a.!. Strong in these principles - -dutiful ia our allegiance to the crown —anient in our love of fatherland—convinced that our Parliament can be restoied by no other means than those of peaceable and legal exertion —we most anxiously advise, we most earnestly implore you, not to be seduced into any species of tumult, riot, or violence, by any event that may occur. Under the present circumstances, nothing can justify any breach of the peace. Whatever may occur, he no parties to any violence whatever, aud be assured that we thus point out the route to the certain ami not remote restoration of the Lish Parliament. “ Signed hy order, “ DANIFL O’CONNELL, “ Chairman of the Committee,”