The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-09-19 00:00:00

MIL SMITH O'BRIEN ON IRELAND

Mr. Smith O'Brien, in reply to a congratulatory address
from his neighbours in the County of Limerick, has made a
speech, in which he referred to his own political career, and
tl the present state of political opinion in Ireland. After
ll:linking his friends for their personal kindness, he said :
"My determination to stand aloof from the British m
Par-
liament conti,.. - allude to the

You kin,

probability that my son may hereafter
of Limerick. At present he is under age, and will be
occopied for several years with the studies necessary to fit
him for the bar, to which profession he is destined. If he
prove his capacity for public affairs by successful exertion
in his profession, I will not dissuade him from adopting
whatever career he may consider most useful to his country.
In the meantime, I am 13limy to inform you that I place
unlimited confidenee in his devotion to Ireland. For my-
self, many considerations of a domestic kind would at
present render me reluctant to pass six months out of
every year in London ; but these considerations might.
perhaps, hereafter be overruled if I were not convinced
that my time can be not only mote happily, but
also more profitably spent in my native land. I have
no desire again to waits night after night in witnessing or
taking part in the discussion of questions relating to
Ireland which are to be determined by thevnoteasboofuEt nthgelimsh,
and Scotch members, who feel no cotiCer
s. n 1 who often do not even take the (rouble to at::!nd the
discussion, but simply vote as they are directed by tiij
leaders of the English Parliamentary party. Nor sh ill
I conceal from yoti that my sentiments respecting the
interests of this country are not in harmony with these
which at present prevail among the influential olases in
Ireland. When, in 1843, I avowed myself to be fully con.
vineed that the only effectual guarante€
Welfare of our country was to b 3 found in the _
of its legislature, I did not profess this conviction ority
as a means of extorting second iry advantages of either
a personal or a national kind for the inhabitants of Ireland.
I adapted it as a stern reality, the furtherance
Of which would probably for several years requi,
many perking Neel-likes on the part of those who
ti-
the champion of their ndttntry'A rights

for the permar

reig:6ratimi

and which
from all

especially s demanded an entire separatto
connection with English governments and English patti
Within the short space of ten years I have seen almost every
man who was a prominent leader in the Repeal agitation
(except those who were driven into exile) become a stipen-
diary or a supporter of the British government. I have no
desire to impugn the motives or conduct of any man ; a
change of circumstances sometimes justifies changes of
opinioni, and I .always prefer to impute even to doubtful
actions honourable rather than base motives ; but when I
find that these changes ha4a been sanctioned—and in some
instances encouraged—by the constituencies of Ireland, I
am compelled to conclude that my opinioffs are out of date,
and that Irish patriotism no longer means what it appeared
to me at Tara in the year 1843.
" Let me not be misunderstood. I never maintained, nor
do I now maintain, that is is the duty of Irish patriots to
seek separation from England by forcible means. Under
all probable circumstances when, in 1848, this country was
reduced by misgovernment to a condition more abject than
any that it had known even in the worst period of it 3 dis-
astrous history, and when we were deprived of all constitu-
tional methods of redress by the suspension of the Habeas
Corpus Act, t thought, and I still think, that resistance
was justifiable. I thought, then, and still think, that if
we had been supported by the Irish nation in the
struggle which we commenced, we should have been
able to secure for Ireland, within a few months, or
perhaps a few weeks, the inestimable blessing of self-
government. A year's residence in Belgiuni, which,
during the last 25 years has been one of best regulated
nations of Europe, has confirmed me in the conviction that
a government founded on a successful revolution may
become the most stable of all governments. But

ulate upon what might hive happened if we succeeded
blishing the national or legislative indepen-
Fate decided against

in 1843 in e

dace of Ireland

d since the

occasion required a victim, I rejoice that I, who 'was mainly
responsible for the abortive movement, became one of the
ims, rather than that others should have suffered,
nany of whom followed the path of danger in consequence
of the implicit confidence which they placed in their leaders.

chief v

" I accept our defeat as a decree of Providence; and if
the Irish people think that we can be more happy under
the government of the Imperial Parliament than under
that of a local legislature, I am compelled to acquiesce in
that preference. I acquiesce in it with less reluctance because
this country is now comparatively- prosperous. and because
some of the evils which gave occasion for discontent have
been mitigated.
" Personally I had no ground for complaint when I
first became an auxiliary in the national effort which
was 'made to obtain a hgislature for Ireland; and in
1848 1 put to hazard everything that was most valuable
to me for the sake, not of myself, but of my suffer-
ing fellow countrymen. I trust,ltherefore, that I
shall be able to live happily among you, my kind friends
and neighbours, even though the aspirations which I once
cherished for the glory and :grandeur of my country may
never be realised.
" At the same time I hold myself perfectly free to
take whatever part in Irish affairs best befits an Irish
patriot. I never would have returned to Ireland if
fettered by any conditions other than those which are
imposed by social duty upon every Irishman. I shall,
therefore, occasionally take the liberty to offer advice
upon public affairs to all who are disposed to listen to
my suggestions; but for the present I desire to enjoy
repose during a few months, if it were only that I may
have an opportunity of studying the altered circumstances
of this country. In penning this long answer to your kind
address, I have thought it right to abandon all reserve.
In doing so I do not seek to pledge you to conformity with
my opinions. There is one point at least upon which all
who have met here to-day agree. We all love Ireland,
however we may differ as to the best mode of serving her.
To me it is delightful to feel that, whatever the faults of
the Irish race, they are endeared to me by their kindly,
genial, and generous character."

STATE ROBES AND LIVERIES FOR THE
LONDON SHERIFFS ELECT.

The Sheriffs elect, Messrs Meehi and Keats, have
resolved that their year of office shall be marked not
only by hospitality, but by a tasteful splendour in their
equipage, wholly denuded of that gaudy display by
which they were formerly characterised. The state
robes and liveries have just been completed at the
establishment of Messrs. H J. and D. Nicoll, of Regent-
street. The robes are the scarlet state and violet official
for the two Sheriffs, each trimmed with costly sable, and
the clerical robes for the sheriffs' chaplains. Mr.
Sheriff Mechi's liveries are composed of coats of rich
Genoa velvet, in colour of a beautiful bright green, and
lined with white silk, decorated with massive gold lace
and elaborately worked gold embroidery; the pattern,
branches of oak, with leaves and acorns interwined with
the convolv nlus flower. From the shoulder depends a
noble bullion aiguillette, terminated with b albs and,
tassels in lieu of the usual pendants. The vest and
nether garments are of superfine white cassimere, having
gold lace borderings to correspond, The state hats are
or the finest beaver, fringed with green and white ostrich
feather trimming. The buttons on the respective gar-
ments bear the arms and motto of Mr. Mecchi, sur-
mounted by his crest, a plough. The state liveries for
Mr. Sheriff Keats consist of coats of a brilliant blue
superfine cloth, having linings of white silk, elegant
borderings of silver lace, within which the reliefs of
embroidery in silver bullion, tastefully arranged, and
displaying branches of laurel with leaves and fruit,
further ornamented with massive aiguillettes in silver.
The state hats, also of fine beaver, have elegant silver
loopings, &c., with a border of white and blue ostrich
feather trimming, and the vests, &c., are of white cassi-
mere, decorated wi,h silver lace. The arms, crest, &c.,
of Mr. Sheriff Keats, are displayed upon the buttons,
and are those derived from his ancestor Admiral
Keats.

BANK OF ENGLAND

HALF-YEARLY MEETING-YESTERDAY

Mr. SI

Yesterday morning the half-yearly meeting of the pro-
prietors took place in the Bank Parlour, Mr. T. M.
Weguelin, the governor, in the chair.
The Governor stated that the net profits for the half-
year ending the 30th of August last amounted to ze687,672
3s 91, making the amount of "rest " on that day
£3,688,405 17s 11d. After providing for a dividend of
4 per cent, the "rest " up to that day would be
£3,033 520 17s 11d. The Court of Directors, therefore,
proposed that there should he declared a dividend upon
interest and profits up to the 10th of October at 4i- per
cent, without deduelion on account of income tax.
A resolution authorising the dividend was agreed to,
and it was announced that the warrants would be ready
for delivery on Sa urday. October 11.
A Proprietor enquired whether the %Vest-end branch
was a source of profit or not ?
The Governor said the business of the branch was
increasing.
A Proprietor remarked that the business might be
increasing, and still there might be no profit.
The Governor replied that the expenses of commenc-
ing the branch were heavy, and must of course be
liquidated. There was a heavy outlay for the house,
There was no profit at present from the branch, but the
business was increasing.
A Proprietor : Are you satisfied with it ?
The Governor : Yes, as far as it has gone.
The court then adjourned.

SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSPITAL.—WEEKLY REPORT;
SErr. 17, 1856.—1 n patients :—Discharged : cured, 18 ;
relieved, 0; at own request, 0 ; irregular, 0. Dead, 0 ;
entered, 12 ; under treatment, 69. Out natients : cured,
43 ; entered, 38 ; under treatment, 5
7 . Treasurer, Jatnea
Houghton, Esq. Visitors, Chas. Challinor, B.A.Esq., and Rev.
J. Itobberds. Honorary haplain, Rev. D. T. Barry,
Physicians and surgeons for the week, Dr. Cameron,
and Mr. Churton. House surgeons, Mr. E. C. Garland,
and Mr. William Townsend.

TRIAL OF THE LONDON SHIPWRIGHTS
FOR CONSPIRACY.

At the sitting of the Central Criminal Court, yes

morning, Richard Gale, James

Mumfi

Edward• Layton Hopper, John Brown

Augustus Henry Fre

meanour and conspiracy

)hn Hopper, Fred..

The whole of the defendants pleaded not au

:o be to do away

nive the men of

but in the