The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-18 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, APRIL 16.

The min.'c of last night, with the principle of frater-
nisation which it developed, has set all the interior
patriots a-raving. But ulterior consequences of a
more significant character than affected fraternity are
likely to flow from the combination of last evening.
An attempt will be made to push the kings of Con-
ciliation Hall from their stools; indeed, I have heard
that the O'Connells are likely to resign the leader-
ship, and leave the direction of affairs to more noisy
competitors.
To-morrow, at Conciliation Hail, an Old Irelander,
Mr. Stritch, who filled the chair at the soin-e, is to
move a vote of censure on the present government.
This, of course, will be triumphantly carried, and thus
another cause of difference betweenthe Old and Young
politicians will be removed.
The protestant committee of Drogheda request a
meeting of all of that persuasion on Wednesday next,
to address the Queen and supplicate her Majesty " to
devise such:measures as may be considered best calcu-
lated to arrest the wild spirit ofdiscffcction which isnow
rapidly disorganising society and jeopardising life and
property." A petition is also to be addressed to both
houses " to adopt with all convenient speed extensive
remedial measures commensurate with the pressing
wants and necessities of the Irish people."

THE SOIREE TO THE "IRISH AMBASSADORS."
This manifestation took place on Saturday evening. The
scene was exciting. The attendance was numerous, and a
considerable number of ladies added to the gaiety. Seve-
ral liege over the platform here inscriptions of a nature har-
monising with the scene. There were none, however, tug.
getting republicarism or revolution.—Mr. Stritch, in the
uniform of the 'B2 club, took the chair. After the re-
freshments had been despatched, the Chairman gave " The
Queen of Ireland." They would appeal to her, not to par-
liament, for repeal. The toast wan received with tremendous
cheers and considerable hisses. One person called out
" Let it pass in silence." The next toast was " The People.' 4
Mr. Fraser responded "The power of the Irish people
never would be fathomed until they laid hands on
Smith O'Brien." The sentence was received with
unanimous applause, as was also one that the people
would stand by him until their liberties were extinguished
in their blood, " The legislative independence of Ireland
and the memory of I7B2."—The Chairman, without any
preface, gave the next toast, " Ireland's unconpremising
patriot, William Smith O'Brien." (Loud cheers again and
again renewed.)—Mr. P. O'Donohoe, one of the secretaries,
read an address from the trades and citizens`committee. The
address was not of any peculiar significance in matter or

- - - -
expression.
Mr. P. J. BARRY presented to Mr. S. O'Brien, on the
part of a deputation, • green Hag, bearing the motto,
' W. Smith O'Brien, Ireland's truest patriot."—Mr. T. R.
Frazer presented to Mr. O'Brien another Hag, that originally
borne by the 3rd regiment of the volunteers of 1782. There
incidents produced repetitions of the cheers. The band
struck up, see the couquering hero comes," as
Mr. O'BRIEN stepped forward to address the assembly--
lie met the assembly with exultation, for he had
this day token out his patent of nobility in the
indictment brought against him by the English
government. It had been said their mission to France had
failed, but he never had any mission the result of which bad
been so satisfactory. They had been talking of a national
guard in the confederation. He never had been so satisfied
of the manly dignity arising from the possession of arms as
when he saw the national guard of Ilaere. It was satisfac-
tory to know that the answer of the French minister had
satisfied the English minister as well as the Irish people.
Lamartine had assured him his lips in the circumstances of
his position were sealed as to the expression of the feeling of
the French nation towards the Irish people. But having
had intercourse with all the members of the Provisional Go-
vernment, he could say all shared the sentiments of the
people of France towards those of Ireland. But they sought
no aid from France, and in the position of Ireland she could
give none. But if ever there was a necessity to resort to
ulterior measures they would have the sympathy of France
and the assistance of many Irishmen in other countries. He
had advised Mr. Richard O'Gorman, one of his companions,
to remain in France until after the trials, in order that they
should know the resources which might be available in cer-
tain events. (Great cheering.) He Lad already commenced
his military studies ; he had obtained the acquaintance of
Irish officers in the national guard there —of the
leaders of the clubs—and it was only necemary that
he should attend in those bodies to arouse at any time
the popular sympathies for Ireland. He hoped, how-
ever, he would not commit himself, for he would
not desire to have him put up in prison on his arrival here.
(Hear, hear.) Mr. O'Brien then referred to the scene in the
House of Commons. He was anxious to let the house know
what manner of language had been deemed seditious. He
had to congratulate the butcher-boys of Belfast, of whom
he had some time since to complain, as infinitely more mag-
nanimous and mannerly than what wee called " the first
assembly of gentlemen in the world." Perhaps he ought
to congratulate even the bull-doggiof Belfast on the seine
grounds. (Cheers and laughter.) He read the 3rd section
of the bill for " the better government of Ireland," and
said that he understood one of the consequences of conviction
under that act was, that the person convicted should forfeit his
property. Would they bear that? (No, no, "the pikes.")
He had said in their name they would laugh that bill to
acorn. (Loud cheers.) In advising them to resist such a
measure did he advise them to any rashness? Far from
it. It was perfectly manifest that there was nothing so
much desired in England as that Ireland should enter into
a premature conflict with her power. (Hear, hear.) But,
first of all, union amongst repealers was not sufficiently
secured, although there were as many of one side there that
night as of the other—Conciliation Hall and the Confedera
tion. Next, there was not union among catholics and protes-
tants. He earnestly recommended this junction, and adverted
to thecircumetance that a protestant movement was likely to
be made in a few days in Dublin. He advocated next a national
guard, and he said he was glad to know that many men—
almost as many of Old Irelanders as Youag'lrelanders—had
taken their advice and become possessed of arms. The
country would be much more respected in England and else-
, where if they had arms. He would soon develope a plan for
this organisation, but as a preliminary it was, he thought,
desirable to ascertain in every district the number of men
' willing to declare in the face of Sr George Grey or Lord Cla-
' reudon their determination, if the circumstances of the coun-
L try required it, to appear on a given day in arms.
(General cheering.) lie had no doubt the flag of the volun-
teers of 'B2, then in la hand, would be that of a regiment
, of volunteers of '4B. If his military exercises warranted,
he hoped to be plaxal in a position of command. (Cheers
' and laughter.) Mr. O'Brien then adverted to the council of
300, and intimated that the legal objections thereto were
now removed. He advocated the formation of clubs, but
warned them against secret societies. They never pros-
pered. Mr. O'Brien adverted to the necessity of those who
' were anxious for repeal to take the total abstinence pledge.
He would advise the peasantry also, by all means, to till
the land, and provide by next August a good oaramisaariat.
(Cheers.) Hitherto his spirit had risen with the :srospect of
the encounter, and so far from dreadirita those
machinations he was proud to think he would be
able to bear even the dungeon for the cause he ad-
vocated, and was not impelled hy any desire for holiday ap-
plause. When he entered this agitation he felt he had
nothing to gain, much to risk, for then was no legititaate

honour which he was net in a position to attain if he did
not choose to sacrifice himself to the country. He felt, there-
fore, be was entitled, in the face of Mr. Justice Cram; ton's
assertion that day that he was urged by vain notoriety,
that his (?rr. O'Brien e) motives were as pure as any he
(Justice Crompton) ever entertained. (A groan for hie
whalebone wig.) Mr. O'Brien concluded amid loud cheers.
The next toast was, " Messrs. Meagher, O'Gorman, and
Hollywood, and the remainder of the Deputation to France."
Mr. Mesonea came forward and said, he supposed they
ha). heard a true bill had been found against him to day ;
be felt, therefore, he ought to speak on that occasion his
true sentiments. Though arms bad not been promised
them by France, yet their distinct nationality had teen re-
cognised, as wellies that of Italy and that of Pollnd. France
contented herself to fling her ideas into the oppressed nation-
alities; it was for them to make those ideas facts. They
went to France impressed with the conviction that it
was the duty of Ireland to commence that struggle;
then it would be no discredit to Ireland to re-
ceive assistance (cheers), as America did from France.
(Loud cheers.) Mr. O'Brien was surrounded by enemies of
his country, but here he wan surrounded by millions, sworn
—and they would keep their oaths—that, as the dears of
the English parliament had been closed against them, they
would not return to those doors, but would turn their faces
towards the doors of their own parliament, which they
would, if necessary, burst with an armed hand (Great
cheering.) Mr. Meagher, adverting to the scenes he had
witnessed and read of on the continent, protested
they had made him reckless of that life which
respectable slavery cherished. He presented to the
meeting a flag which he had brought from France, which
the passionate intelligence now springing into arms would
easily interpret. (The flag was here exhibited—a tricolor
flag, bearing green at the staff, white in the centre, and
orange on the verge. It was received with loud cheers.)
Tne next toast was "The Republic of France," responded
to by Mr. Joseph Henry Dunne. After adverting to tho
French revolution, he denied the guerts of the evening were
traitors, and he said that if the right of petition and the
liberty of speech were restricted or abrogated—the constitu-
tion impaired—he would say with Thomas Meagher, "Up
with the barricades." . .

" The Prosecuted Patr.ots."
Mr. MITCHELL I,.pantled, though he was net Co much a
patriot at either of hit friend•, he was twice as much prose-
cuted. There were two indictments against him. (Laughter.)
If the character the English newspaper. gave of film was
correct—that he had a sort of moral insanity urging him to
the commission of crime—if so, he was likely to be " fooled
to the top of his bent." But if he had set up a new'paper
for those purposes he would never have been noticed by the
Attorney-General. Mr. Mitchell, after adverting to the new
restrictive law, said after that he should say wt.at he had
before said, not to mind franchises but fire-arms. not regis-
tries but rifles. Precisely in proportion as they kved arms
and cherished them, so,far would they have freedom end no
farther. That tricolor of orange, white, and green, was the
true "sunburnt," and he hoped yet to see it wave over a
forest of pikes.
the assemblarze did not separate until after 12 o'clock.