The Sun.
London, England, 1838-11-20 00:00:00

IitELAND.

MR. O'CONNELL'S TOUR.—SPEECH AT FER-
MOY.--DINNER AT DUBLIN TO'
DE-
CLARATION OF CONFIDENCE IN,. AND
MR. O'CON-
NELL.
The Irish Papers have, in their columns to-day, little or
no news. Mr. O'Connell, as it is already known, proceeds'
triumphantly on his tour of Agitation, and wherever. .he
goes there is the " Liberator" hailed by the "
shouts of assembled- thousands." One of the objects of nr.
O'Connell's progress through the country—the formation,
of Precursor Societies—seems to proceed satisfactorily-
towards its contemplated completion—whilst the " Libe-
rator," who repeatedly declares that 'he is a " missionary
with the self-imposed duty of preaching political sermons,'
lacks not numbers of well-beloving and attentive hearers.
At Fermov, on Wednesday, the last dinner of whesh
we
have a report, about 200—and the number (says the
Southern Reporter) would have been 500 had there been
accommodation for tint number—welcomed Mr. O'Con-
nell, and listened with delight to every syllable that fell
from his lips. It had lately so often been said that Mr..
O'Connell's popularity is on the wane, that some people-
have been found to believe that an assertion so boldly,
perseveringly, put forth, must have some truth in it.
There is, however, no warrant for the assertion. The en-
thusiastic acclamations of the multitude, the warm and
hearty reception that wait.on and attend the " Liberator,"
go where he will, or say what he may, sufficiently settle
that point. It is scarcely possible to conceive a higher de-
gree of popularity than that which Mr. O'Connell appears
to enjoy in his own country. If any person doubt the per-
fect accuracy of this opinion, let him look at the organs or-
public opinion—let him read the Irish Papers, and he will
see in them every day report upon report of the excessive
enthusiasm which the " Liberator's" presence never fails
to call forth from admiring millions of his fellow-country-
men. The People—and the Press, too, with but few ex-
ceptions, seem to think they cannot sufficiently honour the
god of their political idolatry.
We have said that there is to-day but little news from
1 Ireland ; but the Papers- from that country can never be
destitute of interest, as they daily present to us a page in
continuation of the eventful history of a People struggling
hard for freedom—of " hereditary bondsmen" who perse-
veringly demand the restitution of their rights, and whop
declare that they will be satisfied with nothing less than
Equality—Religious, Municipal, Political, perfect Equa-
lity. From Mr. O'Connell's speech at Fermoy, as given
by the Southern Reporter, we take out a few characteristic
passages, which will be found to possess a peculiar intc-

rest :
" When I, Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, said he, left
my native mountains about a week ago, I own I did an-
ticipate success to my then contemplated missionary pro-
jects. I ant a missionary. lam going about vindicating
the rights of Ireland. My knowledge of the mind of Ire-
land—of the feelings and desires of the people—impelled
me to look for success ; but I candidly confess and acknow-
ledge that my most ardent hopes have been exceeded. I
]have passed through the Southern Provinces of Ire-
and, and my call upon the people to be up and doing has
been more than answered. The whole of the population is
with me. I don't find a man to oppose me. Ireland needs
to be regenerated. Her people know it ; they are alive to,
their own interests—to a man they arc with me. It is my
duty to be didactic. . . . . Ireland is perse-
cuted by the English Parliament and the English people.
. . . . English ,bigotry and antipathy to
Ireland are at this moment in full force, and shall we
again submit to see a, Session occupied with the same
abortive and ineffectual attempts to do justice to so great a
. Ireland has been robbed of
There is but one resource

nation.
her rights. . • •
for Ireland—and think what that is—
" Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not
Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow.'
Yes, know you who would be free, themselves must strike
the blow ? This is the sentiment that must catch hold of
universal Ireland. The man who acquiesces in the base
treatment of England to Ireland, I pronounce to be a
slave. Rally round me, Precursors, I want to have all
all Ireland Precursors. . . . England re-
fuses equality of rights. If she persevere in that course, I
tell her—and I make the announcement in the face of the
world—that she shall have the Repeal of the Union.—
(Cheers.) Some would taunt us with seekingesineis
of the
separa-
tion.—No—no—never, hope, will the destinies
countries be separated. . • - • • •
would effectually
tAnd,he millions
or Ireland
ell
atnedl
arn England,
oral that
actualthere iso power, which
am on amongst
strength that England could opeosetoolrt
Justice to Ireland.
prostrate. The repeal of the Union,
n i fIo rtmeliltyofp Englandri privileges
e thatges
—the of E which
d. I tell her to cease from
she had better right Ireland.
mighty nation shall not be tam-
peringre-
with her feelings.
licahndis., a perfect
.1
sister country I have
advantage of a
with me. The sinew of my country is at
pressed—shall not be put down at the caprice, or for the
the Irish people
The
people appreciate their rights and
my command.
the delivery of this speech.
they must have them."--( Tremendous cheering accompanied

On Thursday a numerous meeting of the Liberal con-
stituents of Dublin was convened in the rooms of the Corn
Exchange, for the purpose of devising the best means of
expressing their unabated confidence in, and gratitude to
their dist►nguished Representative, Daniel O'Connell, Esq.,
M.P., and a resolution was accordingly put and carried
that Mr. O'Connell should be invited to a public dinner—
the time to be most suitable to him.