Star.
London, England, 1831-07-14 00:00:00

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enter into subscriptions, in order to afford means of procuring
redress by the ordinary course of law.
Richard O'Gorman, Esq. was called to the chair, and
Thomas Reynolds, Esq. appointed Secretary.
Mr. O'Oorman, on taking the chair, said—You are called
tether to consider a subject of great importance—you are
railed to consider recent outrage that has been comositted in
Newtownbarry. In the history of our unfortunate country
we have many such atrocious deeds to dwell upon—(hear,
hear)—but none more atrocious than that perpetrated on a
late occasion, in which so many persons were, I will not say
murdered, for Ido not wish to anticipate the verdict of a
*.y, but from the report of the evidence on the coroner's
inquest, I might say so—(hear.) You will speak in that
calm and dignified manner as becomes the subject, and set
as you have always done, with spirit and determinadoo.--
(Loud cheering.)
On the first resolution being put front the chair,
Counsellor Finn rose and said, that though having met
together on many occasions, he believed they never met on
one when it was more requisite to be cautious that on the
present occasion. He would as soon abuse a madman
armed with a ;sword as those yeomen, whom the government
have armed and enabled to perpetrate these foul murders.
Yes ; who have enabled them to commit this wild carnage?
It is the government—that Machiavelian system of govern-
ment which has so long swayed this country, and to which
the faction owe their importance and their existence.
(Cheers.) For five and twenty years have the Whigs been
loud in their cries against this faction. that they were unjust
and animated by a spirit of ascendancy, that they have re-
peatedly spilt the blood of the people and massacred them
—and yet in the teeth of these assertions, while the blood
of the murdered victims is still fresh on the green earth,
they put arms into the hands of this ferocious yeomanry,
and talk of their loyalty in terms of insulting disparage.
ment to the inhabitants of this ill treated kingdom.—
(Hear, hear, heat.) If the Peels and the Wellingtons had
armed them and so talked, it would be natural as old com-
panions and associates, but that the Greys who had hereto-
fore in no measured language abused those men, could now
talk of their loyalty, their tried loyalty, is what is past
endurance. (Cheers.) What loyalty have they above and
superior to ours? (Hear.) Don't we pay taxes, don't we
discharpe our • duties as subjects as well, if not better,
than limy do? (Cheers.) Why then talk of their
superior loyalty, and give them the exclusive privilege of
carrying arms as if alone worthy to be entrusted with their
possession ? If the hundredth part of the pains were taken
to conciliate as there is to sow the seeds of discord, Ireland
would present a far different aspect from what she does at
present. There were six hundred cases of arson, of destruc-
tion of cattle and machines, and such like atrocities com-
mitted by Englishmen, and yet we heard not a word upon
these things, all was gentle and soft where Englishmen
were the perpetrators of outrage. Butt in Ireland we have
an Algerine Act to crush us, should we attempt to open our
lips or utter a single syllable on what vitally concerns the
best interests of our country, and whoever is bold enough to
talk of independence, he is made a rebel of—this is the secret
of the Newtownbarry affair. (cheers) But let us await the
decision, though I know it will be but a bottle of smoke,
they will find judges of the right sort and juries of the true
colour, of tried loyalty (sheen)—the verdict will be such as
we all know. But I have no ambition to be incarcerated in
the dungeons of Newgate, or to implicate the printer who
may give publicity to my sentiments, by speaking out the
whole truth, fur the greater the truth the greater the
libel (hear, hear), otherwise I would a dreadful tale un-
fold. You know what I think, but which I dare not give
utterance to - for we should unite the cunning of the serpent
and the mildness of the dove. After some observations on
the Arms bill, Mr. Finn concluded, and sat down amidst
loud cheering.
31r. Nugent said, as a 'Westmeath man, he would offer
a few observations upon the massacre at Castlepollard. It
was as unwarrantable an attack as ever took place. Mr.
N agent concluded by stating, that all the people required
was justice.
Mr. Thomas Reynolds then said, after the able speech of
the gentleman who last spoke, and who is a native of Cas-
tlepollard, nothing but my sense of duty could afford me an
excuse far presuming to oiler any observations on those foul,
bloody, and unrelenting massacres. In no other country,
except degraded Ireland, could such conduct pass with im-
punity. We are a patient people, and we will continue so;
but we wait with anxiety for the decision of the jury, on
those foul and deliberate murders. I agree with Mr. Finn,
that it is dangerous to trust one's feelings upon such a sub-
ject, but there arc times when people must speak out, and
ought to speak out, and the dungeon or the jibbet shall
never deter me from advocating the cause of justice and of
Old Ireland (cheers). Mr. Reynolds then adverted to the
repeal of the Union. He said die hearts of the people are set
upon repeal, and it must and shall be accompliehed. Have
any arguments ever being put forward against it ? Have
not all tne scribes and proprietors of the base rags of Dublin
been endeavouring in vain to bring forth a single argument?
Have not the 3 liberal papers advocated it without a reply
being attempted ? Have not the high-minded editors of the
Freeman., the talented editor of the he/Aster, and the clever
editor of the Pilol, challenged them to answer their argu-
ments, and received no answer ? If I know any thing of
mercantile affairs, partners ought to have equal shares in the
profits, but we are allowed none of the profits, and obliged to
bar all the lose. We export annually ten millions of pro-
duce, and the people at the same time living spectres wrapped
in rags. For instance, look to the exhibition of yesterday ;
you saw in your streets those who were formerly your
Nourishing merchants and thriving artisans, exhibiting Weir
emaciated frames, for the purpose of creating sympathy in the
hearts of their fellow-citizens. Let Anglesey and Whig
Stanley look to that. We are 700 years apprenticed to Eng-
land, and under Catholic and Protestant monarchs the same
minciple has been maintained—English ascendancy. For
my part, I expect little from the Whig administration, and
I'll tell you why ? Because when a disposition was evinced
en the part of the Irish members to enact poor laws that
would make the bloated bishop and the haughty aristocrat
contribute to the support of the starving peasantry. Lord
Althorp stood up and said no; we shall do something else.
Will you, Lord Althorp, repeal the Union ? (Cheers.—
Will you repeal the depopulating subletting act? Will you
w fthe robbing vestry bill, and the grand jury laws—
clt put my life and die life of every other man in Ireland
in the hands of Judkin Butler', and David 111•Cleery ? Will
you have equal numbers of catholics and protestints in the
yeomen ? Adverting to the massacres, Mr. Reynolds said—
Has it not been proved beyond doubt that Graham ordered the
yeomen to fire without having read the riot act ? I say that
wader such circumstances it is murder, and what else can
we call it ? (Cheers.) We demand justice, and justice we
shall have. Mr. Finn, when speaking of the massacre at
Newtownbarry, said nothing about the cause. He did not tell
you the cause. He did not tell you erectile peasant is obliged
to sell his blanket to support the gorged and bloated bishops
and the fat parsons, and never receives anything in re-
turn. I respect Protestants, and would be far from say-
ing anything disrespectful of thetn : but when I see bishops
with such incomes, and curates with only 7M. a year, how
can I help remarking upon it. Mr. Reynolds spoke at
great length concerning the church establishment. Mr.
Reynolds then went on to show that the church of England
and Wales costs more than all the other churches of the
Christian world put together. He concluded by saving that
the only remedy for Ireland was a reformed domestic Par-
liament ; and though Irishmen would not attempt to throw
any obstacle in the way of the present reform bill, yet they
did not expect any material good to Ireland from it, or from
anything but repeal.—(Great cheers.)
The Chairman next one and sddteseed some observations
to the meeting, in the course of which he spoke (amidst loud
murmurs) of tire impracticability of accomplishing the toped
of the Union. As being a tried friend of Ireland (observed
Mr. O'Gorman) I claim the indulgence I have granted to
others of giving free utterance to my sentiments. I think
repeal impracticable, for England has benefited so muck
from the miseries of Ireland. that she will never restore it
but by blood. Then it becoroes a question of force, are we
then able to fight ? (Loud and continued cheering.) I
doubt it from the history of the country. One solitary man,
Emmet, came forward, and those he had confided in aban-
doned hint before he went half-way up Thomas-street; yes,
it was those who now think so courageously abandoned him
there (loud cries of " more shame for them"—" the times
are altered.") It would be too much of us to say that Go-
vernment will not do justice in the cues of Newtownbarr7
and Castlepollard if they do not then my confidence ceases.
One thing, I am sure, you wilidocredit to me for—sincerity.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Finn rose to reply to Mr. O'Gorman.
We regret that the press of other matter will not permit
us to give his triumphant refutation of Mr. O'Gorman's as..
sertions as to the impracticability of the rep-ml of the
Union. The subject seemed to have inspired him whit
more than human eloquence; and the learned vendors*
sat down amidst thunders of applades.
We certainly feel a peculiar pride in laying before ik
public the following acknowledgment of semslodged in •
bank of Messrs. Latoucbc and-Co. in aid el the unhappy
manes in Nitro's/away. We my with Ode we do tek,