The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-13 00:00:00

REPEAL ASSOCIATION-THIS DAY.

The usual weekly meeting was held this day in Concilia
tion-hall. L. O'Donnell, Esq WAS called to the chair. The
hall was crowded. The proceedings, which were of an
ordinary character, will be amply enough elucidated in the
brief account below.

Aid. DELAHUNTY, of Waterford, handed in 201. from
Waterford, and stated that at the next election they should
return to Parliament from Waterford two Conciliation-hall
repealers—Alderman Meagher and Sir Benjamin Morris
Wall.
Mr. O'CONNELL —Three cheers for Ald. Meagher, one of
the best men that ever lived. (Cheers.)
Mr. DELA/lI:NEE continued to say, that they would have
great pleasure in voting for Sir Benjamin Wall, because he
was a good Protestant gentleman.
[AM. Meagher is father to Mr. Thos. Meagher, the Young
Irelands].
Mr. O'Connell handed in 1/. lie. from the horse-shoers of
Dublin; also 11. from the Rev. Dr. Sprint, a gentleman
who takes great interest in the progress of temperance.
Mr JOHN O'CONNELL said that the Irish members were
going over to England in despondency—nearly in despair—
not for the cause of Ireland, but with regard to the caudition
of the country and the incompetence of the English parlia-
ment to relieve it. He said the most brutal, cowardly, and
calumnious libels were found in the English press upon
the Irish people, whose conduct ought to be lauded.
There was the ruffian Times, and then the Economist,
the free trailer, and then they had the Spectator, which re-
presented nothing but the blackheartedness of its editor and
proprietor, with the outlandish name of Rentoul--but all
these papers had levelled their brutalities at the people of
Ireland. The Economist had basely charged the Irish
people with flinging themselves like slaves upon the
bounty of England—without energy or exertion. He
did not think these brutalities would be repeated
to the faces of Irish members in the house ; but
he did think these outrageous attacks upon the people
were evidence that nothing would be done effectively for the
relief of Irish distress. Mr. O'Connell then proceeded to
argue that the condition of Ireland was such as to present
an argument for repeal not to be overcome. The people
were dying, at the rate of three hundred per day, of
famine, and that in the 47th year of union. How could
an Irish parliament, or any parliament, mismanage
to so great • degree the affairs of this country?
But they would grant measures of relief—reclaiming of
wastes. Would that restore manufactures, or trade, or com-
merce ? Then they promised a poor-law. He warned the
people spinet adopting • measure which had failed in
England, which had failed as far as tried in
Ireland, and which would be only imposed upon
them for the selfishness of England. He warned the
clericy against advocating them. Workhouses were
sinks of iniquity in England, and he asked the clergy, did
they advance morality in Ireland ? Again, let them think of
the facil.ties it afforded for religious perversion. Mr. O'Con-
nell further contended that the effect of a poor-law for
Ireland would be to confiscate Irish land for the benefit
of the capitalists of England. Such were the measures
proposed by the English statesmen. Poor-laws, he would,
to his place in parliament, resist to the last. He con-
cluded by earning for the restoration of the Irish parliament.
Mr. O'Connell stated he should not detain them long, but
he would address them again from Conciliation-hall. He
would not address them at all did he not wish to condemn a
new calamity induced by the conduct of the landlords. Some
of the landlords—most of them indeed—had done their duty.
Lerd Farnham bad acted admirably • Lord Roden had done
the same. But the Rev. Eugene O'll.ourke, P.l'. Killucan,
described the conductors noble lord there who was inflicting
horrible injustice upon some poor creatures, whom he was
about to eject in Westmeath. He thought there should be a
measure brought into parliament to prevent any systems of
eviction during the present alarming circumstances of
the country. Mr. O'Connell then adverted to the
exertions of Lord Slip and Mr. Moore, who
were exerting themselves for the of having county
meetings, their intentions were exec lit. There would be
a meeting on Thursday next, which he would attend for one
I purpose, and one purpose only—to see whether they would
demand—aye, demand—that food should he had for the
poor at any price. They should demand justice or the
haughty English people would not mind them. Food
should be bought by the government at any price. People
said let the meth...ants bring you food ; but they were pay-
ing merchants twice the price it cost them. And was he to
be told of political economy and private speculation,
when mea were starving in the county he repre-
sented at the rate of fifty per day ? Let Eng-
land take care ; Ireland was the right arm of her power.
She newr stood upon a battle field that Irish courage did not
advanna her colours; nor did ever that flag which braved
• thaw sand years the battle and the breath float in
trump' ph where Irish blood did not wash the decks. She
ouch t therefore to do justice to Ireland, and if she did not do
▪ Aer power must fall.
Mr. O'Corcent.t then announced the repeal rent for the
esk at 1191. 19s. Id. The meeting adjo. rood.

EXTINCTION OP PARTY —The community of misery has
already almost annihilated the last swims' of party. The
names of Tory and Radical are as rare as those of the blue
and green factions. When the ship is among the breaken,
the distinctions of rank are merged in prayer and supplica-
tion. So is it with us. All party differences are forgotten,
and the general safety alone is the common object of all. In
this there is deep canoe of congratul►tion, and when the
storm blows away, the fruits of this permanent " truce of
God" will appear in the anxiety of all classes to cultivate
mutual esteem, and labour together for the common
good. One phase of this remarkable unanimity deserves
especial notice—namely, the perfect harmony which distin-
guishes the conduct of the ministers of religion of all classes.
The charity of Christ and of the Gospel animates all with
I ardour and attachment to the suffering poor. The Catholic
and Protestant clergymen vie with each other in am of be-
nevolence. They are the most active members of relief
committees; they confer together, work together, remon-
strate together, evoke together the aid of a dilatory govern-
ment, and condemn together its vicious and impolitic
refusals. When the desperate urgency of the crisis
instigated the necessity of appealing to English feel-