The Sun.
London, England, 1841-08-16 00:00:00

(Loud cheers.) Old as he (31. r. O'Neill) was, he hoped
yet to see him at the head of the State.—(Cheers.)

There was not upon the face of the earth—even in the
most despotic countries—even in Russia or Turkel-,
people so trampled upon as the Irish people.
Mr. O'CONNELL came forward to second the adoption
of the address, and was received with loud and long con-
tinued cheers. He said that he meant to propose that
this address be universally signed, a fact which -he felt
satisfied would require but little exertion to bring about.
He had no doubt that such a multitude of signatures
would be speedily obtained as would render this one of
the most complimentaVy documents that ever emanated
from a grateful people to their ruler and benefactor.—
(Cheers.) For 600 years the people of Ireland had no
other reason to look upon their chief Secretaries than as
their bitter enemies and persecutors, until Lord Morpeth
assumed that situation.—(Cheers.) Mr. O'Connell
proceeded to pass a glowing eulogium on Lord
Morpeth, for his goodness of heart, his literary
talents, eloquence, patriotic virtue, and his love
of civil and religious liberty in all parts of the
world. With reference to his complaints of Lord Mor-
peth formerly opposing his measure for the equalization
of the franchise between Great Britain and Ireland, he
had subsequent proofs that Lord Morpeth's own opinion
was in favour of the measure, but, being bound up with
a Cabinet which was opposed to it, he was, for the time,
obliged to defer it ; but, in some months afterwards, he
found Lord Morpeth bringing in a most comprehensive
and just measure for the extension of the Irish fran-
chise, which was a proof that Lord Morpeth had brought
round the Cabinet to his opinion on the subjcct of the
necessity of doing justice to Ireland on the subject of

their franchises. -After alluding to the foul calumnies
of the English press on the Irish people, Mr. O'Con-
nell turned round, and asked his Grace whether he had
seen Louis Philippe's newspaper, the Journdl des De-
buts? That paper showed the joy of England's constant
adversaries ; they hailed the advent of Peel to power as
the best means of weakening the power of Great
Britain, and holding out to them the probability of re-
gaining their lost glory. If he (Mr. O'Connell) were
one of the old Celtic or Saxon race, and wished all kind
of calamity to Great Britain, he could not take better
means to effect his purpose than by bringing in Peel and
the Tories at the present juncture. After a brilliant
speech, which excited the warmest enthusiasm of the
meeting, he concluded by seconding the address, which
was adopted amidst loud acclamation.
The Rev. Dr. YORE proposed that the address be
printed and circulated for signatures,—Adopted.
A resolution was also adopted, inviting Lord Morpeth
to a public dinner.
Sir Thomas Esmonde was the second Chairman. The
meeting separated at a quarter past four o'clock.

ANTI-CORN-LAW CONF.ERENCE

AT MANCHESTER.

The following letter has been addressed, by the Rev.
Dr. Wardlaw, to the Rev. J. W. Massie, of Manchester :
Barlanark, August 10, 1841.

My dear beg pardon of yourself and Commit-
tee, that even a second notice, which ought not to have
been even required, should be still unanswered. The
plain truth is, that I was very reluctant to say no, and
yet I could not, witt.*any certainty, say yes. And now
[ am sincerely.prryshat the former monosyllable must
be my ans,,wer. Thef?-inswer should have been given in
the end of last.iveek,- but that: was then occupied with
the mournfullx pleising duty till preparing the funeral
sermon for the, latetxenerated and lamented Mr. Ewing.
Not •enly do I feel dation of a public nature pressing upon
me and 4mancling ftilfilnient—duties which I only can
do, h ilvtrs- in e eul ttAl esio do the other, who may
not hOpott at tlje tithe, g) 1)e thus bound ; but circum-
stances of a hob-testis Character, which you can partly
gueA's,;'hut which I need not now detail, seem to require
my beitig, at,home.7'
I. shoulctdeelily`feel, however, that great injustice was
done Me, were iffy absence suspected to arise from any
indifference respecting the-rent object of the proposed'
Convention. It is not so. It is far, very far otherwise.
Some of my brethren call it a ''political question, and
object to a ministerial conventipn respecting it on this
ground. That should not frighten me. Admitting it to
be a question of political legislation, I cannot on that ac-
count, regaid i,t as the less a questinn of humanity. Grant-
ing it to be w`problbm of politieg economy,, I dare not
allow myself to forget, to whattiNast extent it is a ques-
tionpf domestic economy, ;mosktseriously and fearfully
affeefing tbtebndititin of Myriads of families, and the fa-
milieso4 tlio4e who must ev'or be the lostaple of a com-
merciatnatiOnTs(rongth arid; pthsperity. In such a view
of it, it can neyet'he out of the legitimate sphere of the
servants of that §hvicilFr who, while the great end of his
mission wit's'*i(l.Seek and to save the lost," manifested,
in the ftilfilling'orthat commission, so benevolent a con-
cern f6r-the-temperal as well as the spiritual interests of
a sinful andsitffe'ring world ; the' one in such harmonious
and, beantif4 keeping- with the other. And why should
the politic-al aspect of the qttestion overpower the interest
which, as ministers of the Gospel, we ought to feel in it
as a question of humanity ? Politics themselves are a
branch of ethics. Properly viewed, they are the morals
of nations. They affect the character and the well-being
of the world. Indifference to politics, in this view of them.
is indifference to their results—peace or war—plenty or
starvation—virtue or vice—prosperity or declension—
security to person, property; and life, or the jeopardy of
them all. Surely such indifference cannot be a feature
of character which the Bible requires, either in Christian
man or in Christian minister. lam no meddler with
politics. But my simple reason is, that in doing what I
can to diffuse the influence of Bible truth, and co-operat-
ing with fellow-Christians and fellow-ministers in the
endeavour to leaven the community with its influence; I
amdoing, what I conceive to be my proffer part
.art in pro-
moting and ensuring rectitude-Of principle in the ma-
riagement. of public affairs ;—not that I regard the ma-
nagement of public affairs as a matter with which, as a
Minister of the Cross, I have no concern. Although
holding the essential distinction between the kingdom of
Christ and the kingdoms of this world, I yet believe and
am sure, that the spread and prevalence of the principles
of the one are the. best security for the application of
right principles in conducting the affairs of the other.
Your avowed object, moreover, is consultation ; the
comparing of both sides,—the hearing of the pros and
cons. Attendance pledges no one to a side. This is
fair play. Excuse all this prosing. lam anxious that
my absence from tho Conference may not be misunder-
stood. May a right spirit pervade all your deliberations,
and Divine wisdom and goodness grant a happy result.
With best wishes to your associates, as well as to your-
self, believe me, my dear Sir, your's faithfully, '
RALPH WAR DLAW.