The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-05 00:00:00

IRELAND

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D ÜBLIN, Sept. 4.
The deputation from the Reform League, who
have come over, with the chivalrous Mr. Beales at
their head, to enlist recruits for their new move-
ment, must have learnt by this time how difficult a
task they have undertaken. It was not natural,
perhaps, that Mr. Beales should have anticipated
triumphant success, though Mr. Bright, the first
apostle of the cause, had failed in a similar mission.
"With the laurels thick and fresh upon him which he
won so gloriously, as he tell us, in Hyde-park, he
had courage for any enterprise, and he certainly is
not wanting in perseverance. But he can hardly fail
to see that the people to whom he now appeals for
support 'rive no real sympathy wi:11 his cause or
himself. His friends may have ~..e.i=pected this when
they thought it expedient to send a lecturer with
him such as Mr. Jones, who, as a political martyr,
might find favour in their sight, and be the more
likely to engage their attention. It is vain, how-
ever, to stir up now the embers of agitation in this
country, at least for such objects as Mr. Beales and
his associates have in view. Some leading politicians
deplore, but all admit, theinaction and indifference
which prevail on the subject of Reform. The Irish
people know extremely little, and care far less,
about it. It has been found necessary, in order to
obtain any footing for the League, that other ques-
tions than Reform should be pressed into its ser-
vice. But with all the adventitious aids which have
been resorted to in order to make popular preju-
dices and passions subservient to the success of this
movement, it has failed to make any great impres-
sion on the masses. The new war-cries of " resi-
dential manhood suffrage" and " vote by ballot"
still fall coldly upon Irish ears, and, conscious of
this, the advocates of the movement are obliged to
invoke the spirit of Fenian disaffection whenever
they want to kindle any enthusiasm or sympathy.
The great public meeting, which has been pro-
duced by the protracted labour of successive confer-
ences, was held last evening in the theatre of the
Mechanics' Institute—a building capable of accom-
modating about 1,500 persons. It was crowded.
The banners of the Regular Tailors and Coopers
were displayed on the platform. The Lord Mayor
occupied the chair. Apprehending a renewal of the
scenes which occurred when Mr. Bright appeared in
the same place, the managers of the meeting had a
body of about 50 coal-porters enrolled as a protec-
tive force to maintain order. The special constables
performed the duty most efficiently after their own
fashion, by inflicting summary punishment upon
any one who ventured to express dissent during the
evening. Their services were frequently called into
requisition, and the unhappy individual who sup-
posed that he was at liberty to offer the slightest in-
terruption was immediately pounced upon, severely
handled, and expelled ignominiously from the hall.
The Lord Mayor, on taking the chair, expressed a
hope that the meeting would be conducted in such
a manner as to reflect credit upon the city, and
called upon those present to put out any one who
interrupted—a direction which was strictly obeyed.
The secretary, Mr. Shanley, a compositor, read a
letter from Mr. J. S. Mill, expressing regret that he
had not received an invitation to attend until after
he had left England. He also presented as address
to Mr. Beaks from the Irish Reform League. Mr.
Bales then addressed the assembly. He reiterated
the appeals which he made at previous meetings for
a real union between the people of England and of
Ireland, and alluded to the support he had received
from The O'Donoghue in the Hyde-park agitation.
Referring to the late speech of the Lord-Lieuten-
ant, he said the time was not far distant when Ire-
land would be a source of strength, instead of weak-
ness, to England, and they would no longer see the
people of the country decreasing while cattle and
bank deposits were increasing.
The O'Donoghue followed in a characteristic ad-
dress. He said—" Dablin should be the stronghold
of patriotism, the headquarters of nationality. The
English and Scotch people were animated by a
generous desire to make reparation for the untold
wrongs inflicted by the British Government. As an
evidence of their feelings he stated that he had met
with the warmest sympathy for the political pri-
soners. (Loud cheers.) The mass of the English
people knew that the political prisoners were en-
shrined in the hearts of millions in this country.
(Cheers for Burke.) The generous English people
expressed their deepest conviction that the political
prisoners had sacrificed their all on the altar of
patriotism, and Mr. Bright had declared at Man-
chester that their prison doors should be opened and
the captives set free. (Great cheering and some in-
terruption.) He called on Irishmen to unite with
the Engliih reformers, who were prepared to let
them use their political rights in whatever way they
pleased, and the Irish reformers accepted their help
on those conditions. (Great applause.) He thought
that the Reform Bill of last session put them far on
the road towards the attainment of their political
rights. lie concluded by moving a resolution de•
mending an immediate extension of the Reform Bill
to Ireland, and expressing the opinion that manhood
suffrage and the ballot would afford the only satis-
factory settlement of popular rights."
A Mr. Ci'Donnell, in seconding the motion, re-
ferred in a similar strain to the Irish political pri-
soners. Mr. Moyer, Vice-President of the Scottish
Reform League, supported the resolution. He advo-
cated the equal claims of all classes to the suffrage,
ohtained a show of the audience's sympathy by a
further reference to Fenianismn, and eulogised the
coal porters. The Rev. Mr. Mullen, who has avowed
hiliself a convert to Mr. Jones's views, though he
had previously lost all faith in agitation, moved
another resolution. Mr. Mowatt seconded it in a
speech which had a very disquieting effect upon the
audience. An ohservation of his gave occasion for a
scene of great violence and uproar. Ile complained
that the people were expatriated to make room for
fit beasts, and were deprived of their cattle,
wideli were sent across the Channel. To this re-
mark " a voice" replied that the English sent
money in return. The audience hissed, and the
speaker called upon them not to mind that sheep,
which would soon be done bleating. The voice re-
torted " Shut up ; none of your gammon."
This was the signal for the storm. The " sheep "
was instantly seized by the coal-porters and dragged
out as if to the slaughter. He was struck with
great violence, and at first bore the ill-treatment
with meekness, but at length venturing to remon-
strate he was silenced by so many clenched fists
that he was soon incapable of making any further
noise. Two or three of the bystanders interfered,
and being then taken for enemies were set upon
and beaten savagely. The sounds of the blows
were distinctly audible amid the general uproar, but
no one attempted to protect the victims, and the
Lord Mayor still presided with unruffled composure.
At length the luckless group of intending peace-
makers, having run the gauntlet through the crowd
of assailants, were violently thrust into the street.
The scene called forth the remark from his Lord-
ship that now that the " temporary cloud which
hail overshadowed the gallery had been dispelled,
he hoped they would proceed in harmony." Mr.
E. Jones then addressed the meeting. He was
followed by Mr. Cook, an aucticnecr, and Mr.
Cleary, grocer, completed the array of speakers.
Though the proceedings inside were sufficiently ani-
mated, there were no manifestations of excitement
outside, and the city generally wears its usual quiet
azpecie uerufll.2l by the tremendous efforts of the
Reform missionaries and their friends to get up a
popular deuinnstration.
Another branch of the Orange prosecutions in
the coal-Ay of Down was opened on Monday, at
Prom era petty sessions, before Mr. Ebrington,
R.M., and Mr.. Heron, J.P. No fewer than 41
persons appeared to answer the summons of Sub-
Inspector M'lnerey, charging them with joining in
a processsion and forming an unlawful assembly,
having banners and emblems, the display of which
was calculated to provoke animosity between diffe-
rent classes of her Majesty's subjects. It was proved
by the testimony of constables that processions, num-
bering 200 or 300 persons, with Orange flags and
emblems, with the indispensable accompaniment of
fifes and drums playing " The Protestant Boys" and
other party tunes, passed through the village on the
13th of July.
."..<;o disturbance took place. With
the exception of ten, against whom there was not