The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-21 00:00:00

IRELAND.

MrsLis, A ran. 20.
The result of the entferencs of liish members with
Lord John ltuesA, u revealed in the " authorised "
. .

report, has opened a wide sluice of discussion, which
his for the present overwhelmed all other topics.
Among many strong remarks on the interview The
Freeman's Journal has the following :
No person can read even the official account of this inter-
view without coming to the cone:mien that it resembled
more the summoning of slaves to hear the mandate of their
autocrat, than a conference between a constbutional snihister
and the reotesentatives of a free people. if Lsrd Joins
Russell was predetermined not to listen to any ce-servs-
tions that the Irish members might think proper to
melee, up:et what plea can he justify his having sum-
moned them to meet Lim? We ma wuuld he have Uwe-
this, would he have dated to do th7s with the English
representatives ? Would any mildew, or cabinet of
ministers, dare to summon the representatives of the
English people to a " conietenee," and tell them,
when they had come to that conference, that he had sum-
awned them for nn utter purpose than to pronounce to them
his ultimatum, and then unciv;lly—we will use no wronger
phrase--retire, rudely hemmed, g to such as ventured to
opt; their lips, that he lied summoned them to hear, not to
be hard. We believe that this conduct of the noble lord is
altogether neer. eedented ; we believe that to nn body of
Bien, save to Irish representatives, would ooh indignity be
offered, end by none tumid it be conceived gave by a British
minister. Lord Cutlareagh aftempted to expressan opinion
(the offictel et porter des not deem'hind worthy even a name),
but Lord J. Russe.l civilly bid him hold his tongue ! The
Irish viscount, untie. d to such civility, was resolved to be
beard, but Lord J. Russell determined re should net, and
glided out of the room, leering the Irish lord and his brother
representatives to look in each other's faces, or do whatever else
the dignified reception they hod met with might solemn as
most proper and becthoing. We speak not in defence or in
vindication of the Irish members as a body. Some few thee,
were pres.nt at the " cafe renoe"(!) who conducted themselves
as lucerne men and Irish undersea. They knew how to
feel as men, and u men we Sr. sure they will set; but we
do protest, in the name of the Irish people, against the in-
dignity offered to them in the persons of their representa-
tives, and the direct indignity offered to the nation by corn.
mendieg an answer cn such an impertant question within
a period at which it would be utterly impossible there could
be any convert with the constituencies or the people. If
Lord John, in olwerving a constitutional form, intended to
sustain its spirit, his course should have been to make this
proposition prior to the recess, and not t'efer it till it would
be Impossible to have any expression of public opinion on the
subject. If he had any respect for the Irish mettle re,
when he had resolved not to listen to their opinioae, instead
of summoning them to a sham conference, at which he in.
tended merely to Issue his mandate, be would have addressed
them either by circular or from Ws place in the honee. But
Lord John had neither respect for the representatives of the
Irish people, nor tad he regard to the opinions of the people
themselves, end, therefore, he adopted what be himself not
iraptly terms his " extraordinary step." We believe, u far
as the sense of the betterludging portion of the community
' has been ascertained, there can be no doubt of the instruc-
tions they would Jame to their representatives' were time
given for ummunication. They would accept taxation in
aid, levied from fixed and capitalized property, in preference
to a larger taxation en industrial capital, and on the blood,
and bane, and muscle, of the industrious man. But of what
avail is the opinion of the Irish people ? A few landlord par-
tizans in Leaden have, ere this, decided what taxation
shall be impeeed, and by their decision, instead of by the
wish of the people, does our meet constitutional premier
seem determined to be guided.
The alternative presented by Lord John of income
and assessed taxes, should the rate in aid measure be
let, is hardly tolerated ; aid a change of ministry ty
as earnestly looked for as if men fully anticipated
what they hoped. Indeed, an ideal cabinet is currently
settled on.
The South Dublin Union has followed the example
of the North Dublin Board of Guardians, and a vote of
thanke was yesterday proposed and (serried to Mr.
Twistle'on.
The cholera has nearly ceased at Limerick, and
great joy is felt amongst the inhabitaws. It is said
hut since the Ist of March there have been 4,600
deaths from cholera and dysentery at Limerick and
its immediate neighbourhood.
The weather has been intensely severe since last
Tuesday • sleet, rain, and snow, and the temperature
•
bitterly ;old.
The belief diffused amongst all parties is that Lord
Stanley is ready to face the difficulties of office under
the protection flag. Electioneering has almost com-
menced, and "who will stand here," and "who is
not to stand there," is keenly discerned. Divers
election rumours about certain ants are already in
circulation.
It is supposed that the same legal officials would
hold office under Lord Stanley, as Sir Robert Peel
himself would select. Under either a protection or a
conservative regime Mr. Blaekburne would be Chan-
cellor, and Mr. Greene be selected as Chief Justice ot
the Queen's Bench.
Amongst those who are feeling the distress of the
times are the monks of Mount Mellersy in the county
of Waterford. They are in a miserable condition.
It is thought that Bishop Denvir will be the succes-
sor of Dr. Crolly in the catholic primacy. He was a
particular friend of the late primate, and is of
moderate opinions, and conciliatory disposition.
Yesterday the weather was again extremely harsh,
but nevertheless the Royal Dublin Society's cattle
show wuthrooged with visitors. The price of admis-
sion was ls., end nearly 1001. was received at the
door. •

THE ENGLISH MaILL—On and after the 20th of
June the pelmet mode of despatching the mails between
this and Liverpool will be changed. The City of Dublin
mitre/it vessels. the Iron Doke, Trafalgar, and Prim. ss, will
cease to sat for the Poet-office, and Admiralty Mammy will
be 'tasted from Holyhead and Kingstown for this. service.
The Liverpool mail will thus be forwarded via Holyhead.
This chan.• will not be received with satisfaction by the
public, who owe much to the City of Dahlia Steam Packet
Caspany, se well as to the Cheater sad e
question to Holyhead Hallway
Company It le oat ot th 'appose that the
An aim., ore wan the Ten leetwem the two coon.
kiss ea reasonably as • ut... tae abfresinentioned tom-