The Sun.
London, England, 1828-06-28 00:00:00

CLARE ELECTION.

( Abridged from the Limerick Evening Post and Clare
Sentinel, of Tuesday, June .24.)
On Sunday, the day appointed to echo from the county
a response to the national offering which had just reached
them from Dublin, anxiety was every moment on the watch,
when Mr. Lawless drove into Ennis, his approach was
welcomed by the cheers and exaltations of the people._
While he was addressing the freeholders, a buzi reached.,
the town that Mr. O'Gorman Mahon and Mr. Steele were
approaching, when hundreds of the population dashed out
on the Limerick-rOad to meet the Champions of Clare in-
dependence. Some short distance from the town the
chaise and-four, bringing these gentlemen, was met by the
people, when the horses were taken from the chaise, and
the patriots of Clare were drawn in triumph by their en-
thusiastic countrymen. This was nearly an hour after the
time appointed for the meeting, but the delay was occa-
sioned by the duties these gentlemen hail to discharge at the
several intermediate stages on the way—at the Chapels of
Cratloe—Six.mile-Bridge, and at Newmarket—they in-
terchanged opinions with the people, and at each place the
horses were eased from their ditties, and the simultaneous
energies of mind an.d strength, smoothed their arrival toward
the head-quarters of Independence. Preparatory to this
The Rev. Mr. LYNCH, immediately after Divine ser-
vice, addressed the congregation in allusion to a public
meeting which was to talc:, place in the chapel on that day,
and said, if they had any regard for their characters, or
their sacred religion, they would conduct themselves in a
I manner worthy of the important question to he discussed.
Mr. LAw Less then presented himself, and was received
in the most enthusiastic manner. When the applause had
subsided, the Learned Gentleman addressed them to the
following effect :—Countr) men, a grand and glorious
battle is to be fought. It is nut a conflict of opinion, but
it is a war waged against him who walks in the same
ranks, and joins in the same measures with the Duke of
Wellington, who has trampled upon our freedom. The
question is, will you or will you not, Catholics of Clare,
support the Right lion. Vesey Fitzgerald ?—(No, no,)—
As a private individual there is not, I understand, a better
friend, or a more amiable acquaintance. But I take a
wider field and more cogent reasons—l attack and op-
pose hint solely on public grounds. —(G teat applause. )
Let it not be supposed that the purpose of my mission
amongst you was to give utterance to idle and vaunting
language. No, my Countrymen, I came deputed from
the Catholic Associatiou—that Association which repre-
sents the feelings anti wishes of Ireland ; I came to vin-
dicate your claims ; I came with five thousand pounds
from that body, and more if necessary.—(Tremendous
cheering.) For although we have no treasury, we have,
thank God, a bank as long as the energies of the Irish na-
tion remains alive.—(Loud applause.) Next I have to
inform you, that Messrs. O'Connell, Slid, Coppinger,
Ronayne, and many others, will be down this week to co-
operate with you---(" Oh, they are welcome," and cheer-
ing)—in opposing the Right lion. Vesey Fitzgerald.
have heard it said that the Right Hon. Gentleman
means to come here this day and speak for himself. I hope
he will ; and if he does I entreat, I ask it of you to hear
him with dignity ; it is a bad cause if we cannot hear him,
aye, and answer him too—for it is astonishing how a
mere Irishman can hit a political trailer on the sconce—
(A laugh)—notwithstanding his very great ability and
Parliamentary tact. The Right Hon. Gentleman is full
of talent, and, doubtless, he would wish to be full of
place.—(Laughter.) 'We have no place—no power—no
pensions—no interest ; but as Irishmen we have a little
genius.—(A laugh.) For the present I will say no more;
I see in your expressive countenances that the same glo-
rious spirit which animated, Louth, Monaghan, Water-
ford, and Westmeath, will extend to this county : sin-
cerely do I trust in the noble forty-shilling Freeholders of
Clare. 1 have to inform you that Mr. O'Gorman Mahon
and Mr. Steele will be here about three o'clock, whe❑ we
will proceed to business.
After a little delay, Mr. L. then departed with some
other Gentlemen.

THE MEETING.

At four o'clock Mr. Lawless again entered the Chapel,
and informed the Meeting that the candidate who it was
said would come amongst them had declined, and from that
did he clearly inter a glorious triumph. Mr. Lawless was
proceeding further when,
Mr. JAMES O'Goaatali said that Mr. Fitzgerald would
come, but that he did not consider there was any necessity.
He (Mr. • O'Gorman would endeavour to answer any
charges brought against Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, as well as
his humble talents could admit.— {Cries of turn him out,
and hissing.)
Mr. LAWLESS here moved that Francis Blake Foster,
Esq., do take the Chair,'Which was seconded amidst great
cheering.
Mr. LAWLESS. —IS there any man amongst. you who
considers him a friend to your cause, that pat himself under
a General, the most inveterate enemy Ireland ever had.—
(Applause.)—But, says, Mr. Fitzgerald, do not I vote for
Catholic' Emancipation? True—says the sly Irishman,
but the very moment after, when you think you have gained
our confidence, you rivet our chains the faster.—
(Laughter.)—The Catholic Association put it on record
that any Irish Member who supported the Wellington Ad-
ministration, wai an enemy to Ireland—yet, in the teeth of
the country, Mr. Fitzgerald joined that man, and gave him
the suffrage intended for the good of Ireland. The Duke
of Wellington's opposition was open and manly, but the
Right Honourable Gentleman's feigned friendship only ex-
posed him to the buffoonery of the thinking Irish public.
He says he voted against the Dissenters, because they were
hostile to the Catholics, and petitioned against them. What
was the act of the Catholic Association ? They petitioned in
faveur of that body, for which, at a public meeting,
they returned thanks to the Catholies.-4Cheering.)—
He gets '7,000/. a-year of the public money, and that
accounts for some of his acts. There is not a .bad
measure introduced that he does not vote with.—
Mr. Lawless went on to say, that he considered as Orange
Catholic the most nasty biped animal, for he crawls, and
crouches, and bugs Lis chains. He would wish that all
such creatures were exterminated ; and it must be that
another St. Patrick would rid the country of such dis-
gusting vipers.—(Laughter and cheers.)
[At this stage Mr. O'Gorman Mahon and Mr. Steele,
for whose arrival from Dublin the most intense anxiety
was felt, entered the meeting, and were received with the
most rapturous applause, amidst waiving of hats and hand-
kerchiela]
Mr. Lawr.Eas, when the applause subsided, continued—
Every forty.shilling freeholder may look his landlord in
the face and say, I pay you my rent, I give you my all,
but never, never will I give you my conscience.—(Cheer-
ing.)—Harry Mills, of the county Lowth, was told, if lie
voted for honest Dawson he would be protected,—he slid
so, and forfeited all he had. The consequence was, that
he got from the Association money and stock, and is now
twice richer 'than before ; and was kept to confront the
blockheads that dared to persecute him. Mr. Lawless
continued for some time to address the meeting with great
effect, and said if any Right Hon. Goose attempted to
come before them, he would be scouted from the hustings.
Ifle again appealed roost warmly to the forty-shilling free-
holders, pledging, himself they should be protected. Mr.
Lawless concluded by proposing the first resolution.
Mr. JAMES O'GoaataN and Mr. O"G. Ma nosr both
presented themselves to the meeting; .but the latter, who
rose to second Mr. Lawless's Resolution, having given way,
the former Gentleman proceeded. This meeting has been
convened at this instance of the Catholic Association—
(Cheers, and cries of "It has")—to unseat a Gentleman
because he has taken a place.—( Yes, yes.)—Who is this
Gentleman, let me ask you, whom you are called on to
thus act by? The Right Hon. Vesey Fitzgerald—(Great
uproar—,who from his first introduction into power voted
for the Catholic Question. It is objected to liiiii that he
gave votes Qn other matters. This, it is given us to un-
derstand, is the •cause of the present steps taken against
him ; but, from my heart I believe, that the cause is no
cause at all. (Laughter.) He did vete against the Dis-
senters, and that from the fairest principle.—(Great con-
fusion.) I will address the Catholic Magistracy', who I
lock upon to by rational men, and ask them it; when
Vesey Fitzgerald first• came 'lnto power, there was more
than one Catholic Magistrate in Clare,:and if that be the
case now ? To the people I will say, yen have been told
that the Association 'still szpport you, and that they will
give 5,0001. (We believe it, we believe it.) I can tell
you--,not one penny. (Great confusion, that prevented
Mr. O'Gorman from proceeding for some time.) He re-
sumed—l have more to say. AS sensible a man as tiny in
the Catholic Association, who may be styled the Nestor of
the Catholic body, and who is entitled to every respect in
thispa natiye town, my uncle, Nichplaq Mahon, has de-
clared be will subscribe Ipol tewarda re-electing Vesey
Fitzgerald. (Immense confusion, with loud cries of " turn
him put," when Mr. O'Gorman sat down.)
Dlr.O'Gott MA uort then came forward, and, after the
cheering with which he was received, subsided, proceeded
to the fallowing effect rise anion you, with feelings
such afi never entered my breast before=-feelings of spyrow
and anguish at what I haye heard—though not unwingled
.with pride, for I see -around me men who despise the pu-
sillanimous sentiments we have heard to-day,—(Cheers.)
Mr. JAMES O'GORAAN...--Any man --, (Cries
of order and confusion.)
Mr. O'GoeatAN Marro:L-1 have heard two speakers,
and it is strapge that unless the cap fitted, any particular

one should have assumed it. You have heard positions ad-
vanced in favour of the Right Hon. Vesey 'Fitzgerald, ',but
positions quite untenable. You have been told he is the:
friend of the Catholics of Ireland. I deny it-1 will tell
you whose friend he is. He is the friend of individual
Catholics—(hear,) no &At with them a pure and honour-
aide public reason for giving him their political' support.
He is too—l speak on the authority of his own assurance
—my personal friend, but because he is linked with those
who have avowed, and act on, an unmitigated hostility to
our country, I sever all private connection with him—l
hesitate Dot to lose my friend to serve my cause.—(Cheers.)
A °foul calumny, which I think it my duty to contradict,
has been circulated against my excellent, patristic, and ever
uncompromising relative, Nicholas Purcell O'Gormau. It
ha* been said that he is opposed to us. Not he. Ou
Thursday, when the proposition was first made. he doubt-
ed its expediency and opposed it. But the following day,
having learned that the Catholics of Ireland had resolved on
putting it in force, he promised them, what he never re-
fused, his co-operation.—(Hear.)—lt has been said, that
the money will not come down front the Association.
True, it will not—for I announce it is come—(Loud cheer-
ing. can announce more, that a Meeting will be held to
morrow (Monday) in Dublin, convened by Nicholas Purcell
O'Gorman, for the sole purpose of considering what steps
may be necessary for turning Vesey Fitzgerald out, and
also to confirm the vote of 5,000/., and such further sum
as may be required out of the coffers of tLe Association.—
(Cheers.)—This is said to be strange towards a supporter
of the Catholic Question. The Right Hon. Gentle-
man is the inure dangerous, because he is your seem-
ing friend. Give us an opec friend or an open foe.
Now I will come to my object. I will read a resolution
unanimously passed at the other meetings to-day, where it
received the approbation of the different clergy. On men-
tioning the clergy, I .must repel an insinuation made in
Dublin, that Dean O'Sbaughnessy had, to use the phrase,
" sold the pass." When I heard it I ruse up, and with
feelings indignant at such an aspersion on my Rev. Friend's
character, scoffed at it. While on my legs Dean O'Shaugh-
newsy walked into the rooms. Theri walks the man, said
I. Is, Sir, this charge true or false ? It is false, by
—;" the venerable Dignitary stopped from the assevera-
tion of the Deity to which, for an acquittal, his feelings
were hurrying him, under the indignant consciousness of
no betrayal of his religion or country.—(Cheers.)—Aye,
it is false; you have sustained and stood by him, and he
will repay it by standing now by you.—(hear, hear.)--
Mr. Mahon then read the following resolution :
" Resolved, That we have come to a decisive deter-
mination, as far as its us lies, to prevent the return to Par-
liament as a Representative of this county, the Right Hon.
William Vesey Fitzgerald ; and we hereby express our re-
solution, that 210 influence or threat of any kind, or from
any person whatsoever, will induce us to vote for that worst
kind of enemy, a false friend—the active supporter of our
sworn enemies, the Duke of Wellington and Peel."
This resolution has received to-day the sanction of
thousands. The numbers we met as we proceeded through
the country gave us most cheering encouragement. At
Six-mile-bridge, the crowds were so great, that as they
were taking the horses from our carriage, the animals were
knocked down. The people actually proceeded to canvass
a Protestant Gentleman in the neighbourhood. When he
saw them he said, if such be the feelings through the coun-
try, and that the people in such numbers evince their deter-
mination, I have no business thinking of. nor will I oppose
them.—(Cheers.)
Mr. O'Goaaraw MAHON then proceeded to assure the
people that they had they had the Association to sustain
thens. He gave them further grounds for confidence by
the adhesion of a Protestant Gentleman, Mr. Buil Deco-
ren ; and he spoke in the most complimentary terms of
Mr. Cornelius O'Brien, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Cullinane,
fur having declined being personally retained by their oppo-
nent. He alluded to Mr. O'Connell, front whose very
name be hail every expectation. I now call on the Free-
holders of Clare, concluded Mr. Mallon, to stand by their
country. The eyes of Ireland are now bent upon them.
The question at issue extends beyond the local interests of
the county ; it is a national question. The Catholics of
Ireland cause to a resolution out to support but to oppose'
any adherer to the Wellington Administration. With that
resolution staring him in the face, and fully cognizant of it,
for I myself remonstrated with him on it, Mr. Vesey
Fitzgerald vacated his seat to take a situation under the
Administration. But he shall be hurled from his place, by
the spirit that is abroad, and nu man can doubt that if the
Freeholders of Clare, on whom their country hangs in
hope, do their duty, Catholic Emancipation will be granted
as sure as they are enshrined by the canopy of Heaven,—
(Long and continued cheering as Mr. O'Gorman Mahon
concluded. The resolution which he seconded was

carried.) .
Mr. &ring.* then rose and addressed the Meeting in a
long and animated speech, in which he replied successfully
to the remarks of. Mr. O'Gorman.
The Rev. Mr. MURPHY next followed. It was indus-
triously circulated that a division .of opinion had existed
among the Catholic Clergy of Clare. Never did theauthors
calculate more' prematurely.—(Hear.)--The Catholic
Clergy had no opportunity to declare their, ,opinions, but to
a man he was sure they would surround the standard of
frcedoin.—( Cheers. )—The Catholic Association determined
oa turning Fitzgerald out—and out .lie must go. He
would venture to aver that there was not a priest from
the Light-house to the bridge of Killaloe, that would not
respond to the feelings of the Association, and follow this
political trafficker through all his cross ways and bye-
ways, from the Paymastership to the Board of Trade, and
a right good trade he is making of it.—(Laughter.)—It
could not be possible that he would have the brazen front
to face a Catholic priest, and ask him for his support ;
the man did not even dream of it.—(A laugh.)—For 230
years have we suffered every species of persecution—our re-
ligion defiled—our liberty trampled upon—our properties
confiscated—our lives sacrificed—and then, gracious God,
why would I not oppose the man that would still continue
our degradation—that man who supported the Duke of
Wellington,• who, with 44 more, declared we were not
worthy of consideration—(Cheers)that man who joined
the Archbishop of Tuam when preaching against our
freedom, because we would not read . the -
laugh.)—You laugh—l am not surprised. Was there
ever such absurdity as to allow so great -a blockhead„
as this Archbishop, to legislate for a nation ?—I have
been considering what a feeling of indignation must
have actuated Wellington and Peel when they sent us over,
this hero of the Ministry to insult us. It was after our
defeat. Now, I suppose, some such conversation as this
—Wellington calls on Peel, and says, " Well, Peel, We
gave the O'Connellites and the rest of those Papists gcs'd
drubbing; 'pon honour, I think, their very spirit is
defy'!he
continue the battle=to go into the enemy's Came,
broken, and what do you think hasoccurred to me,, but' to
Association, and show them they have no influence."—
"'Well thought," replied Peel, "you will certainly do it,
doubtless you will, they are but a pack of miserable braw-
lers." " The Presidency of the Board of Trade is vacant,"
continuedlnimitable Wellington,
Statesman, y
' slyly,
Peel, " the victory will s
be glorious., who have you?" "Now think," rejoins the
great Captain, "I have him in my fist, Vesey Fitzgerald is
theman." tProfound Statesniin," continued his protegee,
Never better planned, that county of Clare, on the side
of the Atlantic, is inhabited by wild liishinen, a parcel of
ignorant creatures, shut out from the world; and even the
river Shannon dividing them from all sorts of civilisation.
We'll just
.wage war there; send for him." No sooner
said than done. In Vesey coures—" Pooh, carry
Clare as I wish;
,the fact is, they dare not oppose no."
And so the lad is at Ms work again.—(A laugh.)—
" Rights" says Feels "sure We have been bribing them
these 16 years, and why should we 'dread now, they dare
not oven clank their chains." Men of 'Clare, how will you
act ? Will you succumb to Wellington,- Peel, and their pro-
tegee, Vesey. Let it Le hoped for the sake' f the country,
of the great cause we are embarked in, of religion, proba-
bly of our lives, that you will not allow yourselves thus to
be trampled 1;11011.—(fml-flew Cheering.)—The Rev.
Gentlenap, then addressed hitnself to the vast crowd in
their native language, advising them to avoid rioting,
chinking, and night-walking, and to attend to the advice of
their Pastors.
Mr. LAY(4,IW moved that the Chair be vacated, and dial
James O'Oornuo, Mahon, Esq., be moved thereto.
Mr. LAWLESS, in an appropriate speech, moved the
thanks of the Meeting to the distinguished Gentleman who
accepted their presidency, than whom lie knew no Irishman
more deserving of their approbation.
The motion was seconded and pa:.;ed with rapturous
applause,
liLAKE FOSTER, on vacating the Chair, said—
Freeholders of Clare, your county is on the eve of a flight-
ful contest—achieve a noble victory of right over wroug—
ii the
and glory.—
wilderness, your holy
(Continued
of justice over injustice—of truth over falselzood--,(lond
cheers)--of the forty-shilling freelkolders over an over-
weening Bible faction. Like the pillar of fire, that di-
vreioitee4hetothde t
will load tlo victoryirong
cheira.)—l call on you, in the name of the living God,
to forget all personal considerations.--throw out this Right
Hon. supporter of Wellington !—stand by your venerat, a
Priesthood—remember the Algerine Act—the uniform
supporter of Perceval, Castlereagh, the Duke, the Test
Acts, the East Retford question, and the Bill to disfran-
chise the 40s. freeholders in 1825,—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. O'GortMaN MA noN.—Contrywen, have but