The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-21


IRELAND AND HER OPPRkssoRs.-We have fire.
qneuly expressed our doubts as to the proprety
OF some of Mr.. O'Connell's movements and in
common with many of the best friends of Ireland
we may not have been able to recognize, in all his
oond CT, the elesrest evidences Of that recude OF
purpose which always ilumines, with lusre all
isown, every footsep OF the true patriot. But the
most devoted admner OF the Liberator," "a title
we willingly accord him,-cannot have higher es'
innate than we of The value of Mr. O'ConnelPs ser
vices in the cause of Ireland and human liberty. In
the great struggle now going on IN Ireland we are
deeply interested. and we have fears respecting
the Issue of that struggle. The signs OF the times
are toll OF encouragement TO the friends OF loer-
ty. There is growing and Strengthening ten
dency ia the minds OF the present generation 10
cut at the very root of tyranny and oppression, and
20 break down those old and evy embattled bull
warks of persecution behind which the enemies of
liberty and of the human race have been so
long entrenched. Religious bigotry is gradually
falling dead before the advancing might of rea-
sons onward progress, and man is no longer the
wiling tool OF the mitre sceptre when either is
united 10 a bad unhoy cause. The tide OF en-
hghIened civilization is seen sweeping in from
every quarter, bringing with it ennobng ideas of
human privileges liberty and equality. Now man
crouching under the lash of the steelhearted OPP
pressor, is not only spectacle, but exc,es
feelings OF the deepest and most lasting indignation.
The days, when the ground-kissing serf bent in
lowly humiliation before the upstart pride and I'M
founded authority of his lordly master, have gone
by, never again to return: holier, higher appre
citation of human dignity and OF human destiny
has spread abroad and will ultimately blot out from
he IL nad If desD "a dos
troying threads upon human rights Education is
rapidly repairing the injuries which ignorance had
inflicted on the world, and the soul of man. instead
OF beng treated as if but the mechanical spring of
terrestrial life, is universally regarded, as it
should be, and dealt with accordingly las an ofshoot
from that Great Power which has moulded out of
nothing this beautiful globe into visible embodi-
ment, and has promised man all the privileges,
lmmunltles and blessings consequent upon para
disacal state OF existence. Where is the human
being with will. memory and understanding, and
who is conscious of holding communion with the
Creator and ruler OF all things. who comprehends
his laws, his mercy and justice, as mrrered in the
glorious works OF his hands who understands the
ends of his creation and the noble mission that has
been dlvinely assigned 10 him while sojourning
here below, can, for moment submit TO be the
slave of human power-the pay-thing of human
oppression ? Does not every feeling of our nature
rise ndsnanly against such base prostitution of
our nlnhooii
The nations of the earth, like individuals, are
shlveung the chains of their thraldom, and be-
ginning 10 move towards freedom and prosperity.
The dominion of the tyrant has pressed so heavily,
that it must not only be mtg ated, but even entire
~ destroyed Might, longer able TO WELD
the sword of determination. yields quietly to the
sway and irresistible demands of right The voice
of humanity is heard through every avenue of So
ciey, and its acquisitions of justice find ready
response in all hearts. The despot is hooted at
the deep curses of the poor and weak follow him
through all his winnings, and embiter every
nlent of his life. Statesmen, also, are becoming
the able, willing and powerful advocates of the
people-the unyelding and successful opponents Of
oppressors and their degrading mnions These
the prominent signs of the times, the strong and
sign hcant symptoms of the approaching liberation
OF mankind.
- Ireland and the Irish =! what painful subject
for contemplation; what a dark and thrilling one,
upon winch 10 write book Mr. O'Connel too
the aulhor-a man OF varied aCqllrements, of gi-
santic intellect, OF large and liberal views law
yer profoundly versed in the histories and laws of
nations; glorIously identified with the advocacy
o. republican principles a sworn and powerful
enemy If despotism and oppresslon-a man who
has devoted long life the service, interests and
amelloratlon OF his native land and her impover-
lshed aud manacled children, He, too, so well &C.
qualnted with her past and present hisory-so feel
lngly alive 10 her condition and wants-so familiar
with every pulsa,ion of her broken and timeho
ed heart-so welded 10 her soil and institutions
such bitter hater and scourger of her ferocious
and merciess prosecutors!
Well and strongly does he set forth his object in
the following words; a" To provoke the inquiry and
totactate the comprehension Of the facts of Irish
history, have drawn up this memoir have ar
ranged II by It's chronology, in such manner as to
bnag out IN masses the iniquities practised by the
English government upon the Irish, with the full APP
probston or al least entire acqulescence of the Br
ilsh people. ! am very DESTROYS 10 have it unequi-
vocaly understood that one great object OF mine is
70 lnvolve the people of Eng land in much--in very
much of the guilt OF their government If the Eng
lush people were not influenced by bigotry, violent
as II s unjust, against the Catholic religion on the
one hand, and strong national antipathy the 9TH
er, the government wouldnot have 80 long perse-
vered in It's OF injustice and oppression. The
bad passions of the English people, which gave an
evil strength the English government for the OPP
preston OF the Irish, still subsis, little diminished,
and less mitigated."
How true, how melancholy true, all this. Yes,
Mr.. OConnell, you were unwilling, and justly so,
that the sad and painful story of Ireland's past and
present wrongs should be unrelated by you-that it
should not reach every and the farthest portions of
the earth, that every passing wind should not trans.
port it trumpettongued to stranger ears-that it
should remain shut up within the narrow bounda-
RES Of one nation. How natural is this-how truly
10 accordance with the iondest desires OF the heart
VINO can be dead TO the voice of ones native land
Who can remain unmoved, while the blighting
footsteps of the destroyer is on her fair soil Who
can remain indifferent while ONES cnnntrymen