The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-13 00:00:00

" JOHN O'C aNNELL."
IRISH POOR-LAW COMMISSION.—TIie Mercantile Ad-
vertiser says—" We understand that Captain Larcom,
R E., one of the Commissioners of the Board of Public
Works, has been appointed chairman of the new eom-
mission granted by Government, to make inquiry re-
specting the area of poor-law unions and electoral divi-
sions in this country, with a view to the reduction of
their extent, where circumstances render such a change
desirable for the better working of the poor-law."
KINSALE ELECTION. The nomination took place
yesterday (Thursday), when Lord Robert Pelham
Clinton and Mr. Benjamin Hawes were proposed as
candidates. The late Member, Mr. Guinness, and Mr.
Norton, of the English bar, were also put in nomination,
but only with a view to address the electors. At the
close of the proceedings the show of hands was in favour
of Mr. Hawes. The polling is to take place to•morrow
(S:itui day). The result was still considered doubtful.
DERLIN, MARCH IL—The Trades Committee held a
meeting last night, et the Club-room, in Westmoreland-
street, when a Mr. Harrison said he had a rin ssage from
it:flu: parties connected with Conciliation Hall, to
the effect that if an impartial committee were chosen to
meet in some neutral ground, to make arrangements for
the forthcoming demonstration, they would be glad to
tro et and act with such a committee.
After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion
of Mr. Duffy, to non: irate five trade: men from that
meeting, who did not belong to any political body, to
meet the same number from the Repeal Associatiou and
the Irish Confederaticn (making fifteen in all), for the
purpse of effecting an amalgamation of all parties at
the forthcoming demonstration, and in the hope that it
iniAt ultimately lead to a perfect union of all Irishmen.
The sub-committee then retired to a private room for
the purpose of arranging matters of detail.
A notification appears this morning from the trades
committee, announcing a meeting for to-morrow (Sun-
day), " to receive subscriptions towards the expenses
of the coming demonstration." Meantime the Old Ire-
lenders at Conciliation Hall have published the following
resolution, adopted on the motion of Mr. John O'Con-
nell, M.P. :
" That this committee recommend to the members of
the association to abstain from attendance at, or co-
operation with, the committee that sat lately at the
Northumberland Rooms, so long as parties committed to
illegal sentiments, who have advised a breach of the
law, shall form part of the same.
" JOHN LEVEY, Chairman.
" T. M. RAY, Secretary."
The precautionary arrangements of the Government
are complete. At livery stables in various parts of the
city accommodation has been provided for cavalry, in
order, in case of emergency, the troops should at once be
enabled to repress disturbance. There will on the 17th
March be an effective force of 1,500 police in the city,
with a considerable body of constabulary from the rural
districts. The regiments at the various barracks are
ordered to be in readiness, and the stations and duties
of all are assigned. In fact, nothing can be more com-
plete than the measures of precaution so prudently and
promptly, devised by the Lord-Lieutenant.
The Evening Post says—" We understand that the
Lord Chancellor has issued commissions of the peace
e ut ot
etnhae.n
te o followingionei
reeves, Colonel
Gordon, Major
stufftcFo oor
crt
shhtofficersborough
u.ou f.t achLneoi del
garrison,oucntoeeunl na tn yt
Frith,
Colonel
viz.:—Lieutenant-Colonel
:Colonel Dublin, .
Gi
Draper, and Captain Leycester Smith."
MEETING OT THE TRADES UNION.—The "National
Trades Political Union" have convened a " great publio
demonstration" for to-morrow (Sunday) at the Theatre,
Lower Albany- street, to " address the Queen and to pe-
tition both Houses of Parliament for a repeal of the
obnoxious blighting act of union, which has perpetrated
the annihilation of our trade, and established destitution
and starvation in our suffering country, and to address
the French nation on their noble victory over tyranny
and despotism."
I'ROJECT FOR A "NATIONAL MILITIA."

The Nation contains the following suggestions for the
monster meeting:—
" We believe a national militia and a national council
have been essential to our very existence. We must
now protect ourselves. We trust the meeting on St.
Patrick's day will decree a national militia of volunteers,
send a deputation to the Queen asking the usual license,
and proceed to enrol them. If the enrolment become as
universal as in 'B2, the dress and arms need not be uni-
form; but a general resemblance would be convenient.
Some sound military authorities hold that the bulk of a
national militia ought to be armed simply with the pike.
Fire arms are overvalued. In pitched battles, it is cal-
culated that not more than one man falls in every six
hundred musket shots, in skirmishes a still smaller pro-
portion. But in a charge of pikes, whatever front rank
holds its ground against it, dies. Certainly our militia
ought not to rely exclusively on either weapon. The
national genius, so vehement and impetuous, exhibits
itself with greatest effect in a charge; and for that
service your pike is the tool. The dress ought
to be no pretty frippery, but plain and serviceable, fit
for campaign work. Colonel Keating's proposal for
arming a native militia against the invasion threatened,
by Napoleon supplies good advice on this head. He
would furnish his infantry with a frieze body coat, of a
dark colour, knee-breeches of ticken or corduroy, a
plain wool hat, brogues or buskins, of any strong
leather, in one piece and laced down the centre ; a
musket, a cartridge-box, and a horn for priming pow-
der. (Rifles and a box for percussion caps would per-
haps be better.) The officers might be distinguished by
a facing of green velvet of home manufacture. But no
gold lace, no show ; no gaudy distinctions. Men who
mean to do their duty will win other renown than the
fabric or colour of their coat affords. Two drill-ser-
geants ought to be temporarily employed, to train each
corps. Old soldiers, or ex-policemen, fit for this work,
are to be found in every district. This is the first step ;
the second follows close upon it. A National Assembly
has been the sure resource of all struggling nations.
Philadelphia, Paris, Dungannon, are the catch-words
of its history. From out our National Guards, or from
the country indiscriminately, let us then choose a Na-
tional Council. Let them be elected by a deliberate vote
of the people in every county and city in Ireland.
The Convention Act is obsolete; it was passed upwards
of half a century ago ; and whatever it says is no
longer of practical effect. The stern law of necessity
over-rides dead (or living) Acts of Parliament. At this
very hour the Chartists of England are electing a Con-
vention for their purposes, and no one says nay; who
shsll say nay' to Ireland if she is plainly determined to
say yes.' We demand a Convention fit to treat with
England for our freedom. A Convention representing
the people, and whom the people will obey."
A CONTINGENT INSURRECTION.—The United Irish•
man, published this day, contains the following:—"
Ireland rose in insurrection against the Government
which rules it for England, against the garrison which
the English call classes' here, and if England or any
other foreign power lauded one man on this our island
to intimidate or defeat us in the assertion of our natural
and national right, then the French Republic would
believe itself entitled, i. e., justified, necessitated, to pro-
tect by force of arms, that legitimate movement' of an
oppressed nation for life, for nationality, for greatness.
This is the plain enunciation of M. de Laniartine on
behalf of the Republic. But to merit this sympathy,
is to be in a position to demand it, we must make known
to the world that the decrees of Providence have sounded
for our resurrection. We must utter and maintain the
God-sent truth—the decree that is in the hearts of us
all—hate of England to the death."
The Dublin Evening Post contains the following:—
" Thurles, March 10, 1848.
"My dear Lord—l had a communication from Rome
a few days back, informing me that Cardinal Franconi
had received the statement addressed to him by me, in
answer to his letter of the 3d of January, concerning
the charges made against the Irish clergy, and that he
was sorry I had put myself to so much trouble in re-
futing them, as he did not believe them. He sent my
letter to the Pope, who considered it most satisfactory.
" From the first I considered the Cardinal Prefect's
letter as a private one—so much so, that I did not men-
tion it even to the Bishops of this province until after it
got publicity in the newspapers; I then wrote, to explain
to them the reason of my not having communicated it,
and that I had refrained from doing so solely from a
sense of propriety.
" When I saw the letter published in the Dublin
Evening Post, I also wrote to the Propaganda, to ex-
culpate myself from any share in its publication, stating
that I considered it to be, from its very tonour, a private
and confidential communication, and that I would there-
f ire deem myself to have acted with extreme imprudence
if I gave it publicity.
"That my view on this subject was correct is now
evdent, from a letter received by me last night, con-
taining Important information on this and other matters,
an extract from which I subjoin; and remain, my dear
Lord, yours faithfully,
" Must Rev. Dr. M'ilals."

" M. SLATTERY.

" ' Rome, Feb. 28, 1848.
" ' My Lord—The Secretary of the Propaganda said
hat the letter was a private one—it was written merely
.0 get information, and any one reading it would see
that it was not to be published. He also said the Pope
concurred in these views, and they were both very much
displeased that a private communication should have
been published
" "rhe Popo praised your Graces's letter very much,
and said you took a right Christian view of priestly in-
terference in politics. If religion or necessity require
that they should interfere, they have a right to do so ;
if the religion or the lives of the people be in danger, re-
ligion itself and charity calls on them to interfere and to
speak out—but in mere political matters, which are not
connected with religion, priests should not take a part.
This is what the Pope said. He kept your Grace's let-
ter, expressing great approbationT of it, and said he fully
approved of your views.'
IMPORTANT DECLARATION.
We have obtained a copy of the following declaration,
which is now in course of signature in this city :
" Dublin, March 11, 1848.
,‘ We, the undersigned noblemen, bankers, merchants,
and inhabitants :generally of this city and its vicinity
being anxious at all times to maintain the peace of our
city, and of the country generally, feel called on, under
the present peculiar circumstances, to declare our fixed
determination to support her Majesty, her crown, and
the laws of our country, by every legitimate means in
our power ; and that we will be prepared at all times to
aid the Lord-Lieutenant in the furtherance of such mea-
sures as his Excellency may think it expedient to adopt,
to preserve the peace of the metropolis and of our
country. And we entreat that our fellow citizens will
unite with us in using their best endeavours to prevent
such persons with whom they may possess influence, from
being misled by others into any violation of the law.
ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
QUEEN'S COUNTY.

MARYBOROUGH, WEDNESDAY.--MURDER ON Tus