The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-05 00:00:00

REPEAL ASSOCIATION.

IMMENSE INCREASE OF THE REPEAL RENT.
The most important meeting of the above Association that,
perhaps, ever took place, was held this day in the Concilia-
tion Hall.
Shortly after one o'clock Mr. Smith O'Brien entered, and
was most rapturously cheered. When the applause had sub-
sided, he moved that Caleb Powell, Esq., M.P., should take
the chair.

The CHAIRMAN proposed as st member a friend of his who
had hitherto kept aloof from politics; he need only mention
the name of Thomas Costello Furnell to command the atten-
tion of the meeting. He also proposed the admission of Mr.
O'Farrell (barrister).
The Secretary read the minutes of the last day's meeting.
Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN then rose and said that, if he did not
miscalculate the feelings of the assembly, it was one of in-
creased reverence towards him who was the victim of the
State, and he would mistake if there was on their part the
least shadow of despondency.—(No, no.) At least on his
part there was none. And on Mr. O'Connell's part there
was but one feeling of resentment and indignation. Who was
the person against whom the present prosecution was di-
rected? A man that was known through all the universal
habitable world, and who, for seven years, held in his hands
the destinies of the English Government. What was his
offence? Simply, that he had loved his country.—(Cheers.)
The Hon. Gentlemen then proceeded to say, he would ask
the English people, he would ask Europe, was there not one
law for England and another for Ireland? The meeting at
Birmingham was still fresh in their recollection. Did they
forget that the Duke of Wellington encouraged the largest
meeting for the purpose of denouncing the faith of the people
of Ireland. Did they forget Penenden Heath, or the Bruns-
wick clubs. These things which he stated had occurred, and
yet he was told there was an union.—(Loud cheers.) Did
not every post bring newspapers breathing the most fero-
cious hatred towards this country, and he would ask, were
these publications the objects of prosecution by the Govern-
ment? And yet they were persecuted for hurling back their
haughty defiance. We were designated aliens by a Lord
Chancellor, and yet the person who uttered that sentiment
was not prosecuted for creating amongst her Majesty's
subjects.—(Cheers.) Every event, in his opinion, was ac-
celerating the repeal—the result of the trials had put it be-
yond a doubt. The bridge was cut away—henceforth no one
would dare to propose a compromise to any Ministry.—(Loud
cheers.) The propriety of a sentiment which he uttered on
the last day of meeting was questioned by some of his friends
—it was this, that if he were a Roman Catholic, he would
be ashamed to enter the same place of worship with any
Catholic who was not a repealer. He now recalled that sen-
timent, though it was with difficulty he could persuade
himself to do so. He would call on the members of that re-
ligion to which he alluded, one and all, to become repealers.
Who was it that enabled you, Richard Sheil, to wear a silk
youtogu to
be;meabelkeloemmebear
O'Connell.—Whoogfowpnar?liamOe'Cnton?nell.—Vhoezubled
enabled
Privy
.Councillor? O'Connell.—Where are you now?—
(Loud cheers.) He (Mr. O'Brien) would tell him that here,
in the Conciliation-hall, was his place, guiding his country-
men by his counsels, and inspiring them by his eloquence.—
For himself, he would listen to no proposal short of absolute
repeal. The Hon. Gentleman then highly eulogised the
temperance movement, and begged leave to mention to the
meeting a resolution he had made, and he called on Heaven
to enable him to maintain it ; it was this—that no intoxicat-
ing liquor should enter his lips till the union was re-
pealed.—( Loud cheers.) It was by peaceful means that the
battle was to be won ; if force were necessary, he knew full
well that there would be no deficiency of persons who would
risk their lives and fortunes in the defence of their country.
The Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud cheering.
Mir. Thomas M‘NENIN rose and proposed, in an eloquent
speech, the following address from the Association to Mr.
O'Connell :
" Illustrious Leader—Respected Fellow-Countryman—We,
your attached friends, representing the Loyal National Re-
peal Association, and, we may add, the great body of the
Irish people, approach you with our condolence, on the de-
privation of your personal liberty by the agents of the Eng-
lish Government in Ireland.

" We cannot see the most distinguished ornament of his
country, at his advanced age, and with his active habits, im-
mured in a common gaol, without feelings of poignant regret
and strong indignation. We cannot see those men who
have been amongst his best and most zealous coadjutors in
the cause of national regeneration, doomed to imprisonment
with him for their co-operation, without sentiments of deep
sympathy, and still deeper resentment.
" But, Sir, whilst we express our sorrow at the indignity
to which you have been subjected, we are cheered by the re-
flection that we can at the same time offer to you honourable
consolation ; for we are enabled, on the part of our country-
men, to promise you that the cause for which you and your
fellow-patriots are imprisoned shall not languish during your
temporary withdrawal from amongst as.
‘Codnisgnidietry, in gthtehe
we now tender to you the solemn assurance of an undeviating
devotion to that principle, under all difficulties and in all dan-
gers. Its legality has been recognised by the highest
legal tribunal of our country, and the necessity of its realise-
principleprosperity, of f
and home
thelegislation
freedom
ofs essential
Ireland,
to t‘lie
realisa-
tion is painfully manifest in the insecurity of our liberties, in
the destitution of our people, in the decay of our trade, and in
the daily increasing provincialisation to which in every de-
partment we are subjected.
" Contemplate, then, the resources at your command in the
struggle for legislative independence. You have already ar-
rayed with you the numerical strength of your country.
Her wealth and her intelligence are daily gathering around
you ; nor can we doubt that her increasing distresses, and
the accumulating indignities offered to her, will soon compel
Irishmen of all creeds in politics and in religion to desist from
vain and factious contests, and, by blending in a national
community of feeling and exertion, hasten the restitution of
national wealth, security, and glory.
4, To attain this happy consummation of our united wishes,
we pledge ourselves that we and our fellow-countrymen
will seek, by all honourable means, to conciliate to our cause
those who are yet deterred from co-operating with us by pre-
judice, passion, or timidity. 'Our object is the good of all—
our means of attaining it shall be the union of all.
" Thus, Sir, we offer to you the deepest sympathy for the
loss of that liberty which was ever used in the service of
Ireland, and for the indignity you have sustained; but we
also offer to you a consolation, which we know will remove
all suffering, in the expression of our assured conviction that
the Irish people, and your faithful fellow-labourers, will
continue true to the cause in which you and those who
share your imprisonment are the first, but may not be the
last, victims."

The motion was seconded by Mr. M. J. BARRY, barrister,
and passed amidst loud applause.
Mr. SMITH O'BIUEN rose, and proposed the admission of
Mr. Richard O'Gorman as a member. It will be remem •
bered that this gentleman was one of the grand jury that
found the bills against Mr. O'Connell, and who publicly ex-
pressed in Court his dissent from that finding.
The Rev. Mr. M'Evor, Kells, handed in 501., col-
lected at a meeting held in that town yesterday.
Mr. DOIIENY (barrister) read a letter which he had re-
ceived from Mr. Nicholas Maher, M.P. for Tipperary, en-