New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-06-14
Charactcr ofthe Iri.,l.

The following is an extract from that stirring
book, O'CoNNELL's History OF Ireland, just pub
lished for twenty-five cents. We have never read
work so well calculated to stir the Irish heart to
a vindication of the wrongs OF Ireland as tins
These now are all noble traits in the character
of the Irish people. Fidelity-prooi against every
temptation of bribery or torture; fidelity which
nothing could buy, and which nothing could IN
,imidate. Pie,y and goodness whilst her people
adhered (and they do get adhcro} to the religion
of their forciathers. But above all, transcend
entity stands the glorious title, LOVERS oY JUS
TIcE - LOVERS OF RouAh AND IMPARTIAL JUS
rIcE.e-Lovcrs OF justice, rot only when they
obtain i, for themselves; but loving ii SO dearly
that they arc satisfied with It's execution even
when against themselves Military valor not
exceeded by any nation III existence And upon
whose testimony is it, that the Irish claim the
glory of these qualities From the testimony OF
strangers, Aliens enemies challenge the world
TO produce an instance OF such praise bestowed on
any nation by persons not themselves interested
IN, or connected with, such praise.
1t may be objected tina, near 800 wears have
elapsed SINCE these praises were bestowed; and
that the IRISH may have much changed SINCE that
period. But what says the truth OF history 3
What does 1t exhibit IN that period The IRISH
have since been severely tried in tho furnace OF
sattcton; they have been assailed with trcacherv
and persecution; and yet they have exhibited the
ancst unalterahle fidelity 70 tho faith which they
IN their conscienceS preferred. No money could
hnbe--no torture could compel thsm 10 forsako
the allegiance which they owed 10 their God.
Compare their conduct III this respect with that
OF any other nation under The sun; and admit
(ior truth compels the admission that the glory
.I,t
people of Ireland. You may say, perhaps, tha,
their faith was erroneous their creed mistaken,
and their practice supcrsutous. Suppose it were
so. Yet their fidelity was religious. i, was at
tatchment TO the religion they deemed the true
one; and this national trait OF their character
ought rot to be tarnisiled even in the opinion OF
those who do not agree with them as 10 It's OBJ,
lect. 1t will not be thus tarnished in the minG
Of any Just or generous man.
Again, we perceived. during the late admins
tration, the same respect paid 10 tbs attempt on
the part of the Irish Government to purify the adj
ministyation Of justice; the same tranquility fol.
lows, from the hope of having justice admins
tered.
Again, behold the national movement in favor
OF temperance. There are more than FIVE NIL
lions pledged 10 total abstinence from all into2i-
eating liquors. What nation upon the face OF
the earth can afford such an example us this =
But it may be said that this temperance move
ment is transitory. To those who may say so,
reply, that the frs, trait in the Irish character is
fidelity OF pnrpose-hdelity superior to corruption
to force, and to temptation. l do therefore feel
1t my duty soleninly to declare, that the people OF
Ireland, the lovers OF Impartial Justice stand SUI
perior IN their national characteristics to the In
habitants of any other country on the face of the
globe | anu, therefore, proud of my fathe1land.
Nor is it the less dear to me because of the evils
that have been inflicted upon it, the oppression i,