The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-30 00:00:00

REPEAL ASSOCIATION.

SECESSION OF MR. SMITH
O'BRIEN, M.P.
EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS.
DUBLIN, TUESDAY EVENING, HALF-PAST SIX
O'CLOCK.—It was quite clear, both from the speech of
Mr. John O'Connell yesterday, and the line of policy
which it was generally understood the " Young Ire-
land" party would pursue, that a rupture in the Associa-
tion was inevitable. Those who thought so have not
been disappointed, though the result may have exceeded
their anticipations. On the conclusion of Mr. John
O'Connell's speech this day, which was chiefly confined
to a condemnation of the Nation newspaper for its advo-
cacy of the principles of physical force, and an exposi-
tion of his father's policy wilh reference thereto,
Mr. MITCHELL (generally believed to be the editor
of the .Nation) undertook the defence of that journal,
and was followed by
Mr. MEAGHER, who proceeded to explain the grounde
on which he differed with Mr. O'Connell as to the mo-
rality of using physical force for the achievement of
national objects. He could not concur in the opinion
propounded by Mr. O'Connell, that no political
ameliora-
tion was worth the shedding of one drop of blod ; on the
contrary, he held that there were many benefits of a
national character which were well worth the expendi-
ture of much bloodshed. The young gentleman was
proceeding to illustrate his argument by historical re-
ferences of a revolutionary nature, when
Mr. JOHN O'ComsELL rose to order. lie averred
that the line of argument pursued by Mr. Meagher was
totally unjustifiable, and might be productive of the very
worst consequences to the Association and to the
country at large.
Considerable uproar ensued.
Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN protested that he could see
nothing in the speech of Mr. Meagher that was at all
objectionable, and put it to the meeting whether they
would render themselves liable to the imputation of
being enemies to free discussion by refusing to hear his
friend.

Great confusion in all parts of the meeting at this
moment.

Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL asserted that Mr. Meagher, by
advocating principles of physical force, and thereby
acting contrary to the fundamental rules of the Asso-
ciation, and to the resolutions recently adopted, vir-
tually ceased to be a member of the body. Unless
the Association agreed with him in his view of the
matter, he (Mr. J. O'Connell) would no longer continue
to be a member of it, and then they might adopt what-
ever rules or principles they wished.
A scene of the utmost confusion and excitement now
prevailed, in the midst of which Mr. Smith O'Brien,
accompanied by all the members of the " Young Ire-
land" party in the meeting left the hall, intimating
that they had ceased to be members of the repeal con-
federation.
After a short lapse of time, and when tranquillity was
somewhat restored,
Mr. Jolts O'CONNELL (who appeared to feel
deeply the situation in which he was placed) ex-
pressed his heartfelt sorrow at the course which Mr.
Smith O'Brien and his friends had thought proper
to pursue. Nothing in his mind could be snore
calamitous to the cause of Ireland than the secession of
so many high-minded and talented individuals ; but in
acting as he had done, he was merely fulfilling the
dictates of his conscience, and what he conceived to be
his duty to his country. In moving the adjournment of
the Association to Monday next, he observed, that he
might undertake to promise that on that day his father
would be present, who should endeavour, as far as in
him lay, to heal the wound which had just then been
inflicted on Ireland.
The meeting then separated.—•Clironicls.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES
(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Room A.
TAW VALE EXTENSION RAILWAY,

Et 0-17-1 - XI DEVON IZAZIAITAY 11.1VIENIMENT

ARID ICI rt .FLINTCTIMS .

This new Committee, consisting of Lord Sandys (chairman), Lord
Galloway, Marquis of Ely, Lord Blaney, and Lord Tenterden, which
was to have mat to-day at eleven o'clock, did not assemble till some
minutes alter twelve o'clock.