Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-05-02
O'CONNELL'S HISTORY OF IRELAND.

~, S'So' anu o''ohS'y SAPiSSSS" 'HO am
of the great Lberator, ard the genera
purpose which actuate1 him in writing The
work. 1t IS given as the summary Of hi:
book, and may be regarded as afording G
fair specimen Of the force with which the
whole is written:
THESE pages contain faint outline oil
The sad story Of the woes and miseries oil
Ireland. The features Of that story are
characterized by the most odious crimes
committed by the English rulers on the
Irish people. Repine, confscation, MUIR
der, massacre, treachery, sacrilege, whole
sale devastation, and injustice of every
kind, continued in many Of its odious
forms to the present hour.
The form of persecution is altered-the
spirit remains the same. Those who would
have used the dagger, or the knife Of The
assassin, employ now only the tongue, or
the pen of the aumniator--and instead Of
numbering bodies, exhaust their energies
in assassinaiing reputation. Calumny has
been substituted for murder, and the fac.
ton which has so long rioted in Irish blood
consoles lis viruent and malignant passion
by INDUCING in every vary, never dying
faIsehood and iruculent SANDER.
What Is the present condition of the
Irish mind-what ought to be the designs
Of the patriots of ireland?
We feel and understand, that if the Tn
ion was not in eXistence-if Ireland had
her own Parliament, the popular majority
would have long since carried every meas
ure of salulary and useful reform. In
stead of being behind hand with England
and Scotland, we should have taken the
lead, and achieved for ourselves al! and
more than we have contributed TO achieve
for them.
y Ii there was no Union, Ireland would be
the part Of the British dominions in which
greater progress would have been made in
civil and religious liberty. than in any 9TH
er part subject to the British crown. If
the Union had not been carried Ireland
would have long since paid off her Nation
al debt, and been now almost entirely free
from taxation.
The Union. and the Union alone. stands
in the way Of our achieving for ourselves
every political blessing.
Injustice, degradation, comparative weak
mes, wide Speeding poverty, uncomfortable
political inleriority; these arc the fruits Of
the Union.
OF its effects on the people OF ireland, |
will state but one fact-that upon a popu-
lation of eight millions, there are two mil
lions, three hundred thousand Individuals.
dependent for subsistence on casual chart
ty!!! And this is one of the most abund-
aniiy fertile countries on the Globe.
The Irish insisted and do Insist that
nothing can be greater outrage than TO
make them submit to the degradation and
burden Of Union with another country,
and at the same time, to withhold from
them full equalization Of privileges, and
franchises with that other country. Such
equalization is the meaning Of the word
: Unon," any other Union is permanent
faschood, living lie.
FIRsrLY-The Union entitled the Cath
olics Of Ireland; that is, emphaticaly, the
people of ireland; to religious equality with
the English and Scotch. 1t was thus dis
iinctIy, and in writing avowed by Pitt in
his negotiation with Catholic Peers and
others who called themselves the leaders
Of the Catholic people. Blu: what is better
hat right was essential to the Union.
In this respect the Union was for 90
years "a living lie
The partial realization Of the Union in
his respect; after a struggle of % years,
s entirely dee TO the virtue Of the Irish
people: and not to the good sense or the
honesty Of the English government.
But as long as the people Of Ireland are
to that which neither the peo-
lie Of England, nor the people Of Scotland
To-; that is, TO support the church Of the mi
1ority, so long wilIthe Union continue,to be
n that respect "a living lie
SECovDLY.-The Union entitled tho peo-
de Of Ireland, to the same elective fran
,hse with the people Of England. In this
Union entitled the people Of Ire
and to perfect equality, not only in name
out in substance, in the enjoyment Of the
elective franchise.
In this regard, the Union is to the pres
ant day "a living lie;' lie aggravated by
base ingratitnde and vile injustice
THIRDLy.-The Union entitled the peo-
pie of Ireland to adequate portion of the
IN parliament. But such
proportion has been scornfuly and con-
lemptuously refused. The Union is there
fore IN this essential respect, "a living iie.'
Eorprrr The Tnion cufitlad fhC,
people Of Ireland to an identity Of relief
with England, from corporate monopoly,
bigotry, plumber, and abuse Of every other
kind. | have already shown how insult
ing is the contrast between the corporate
Reforms of England and of Ireland; the
Union. therefore, is again, in this respect,
"a living lie =.
In respect to the Municipal Reform; in
respectto the elective franch Use; in respect