The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-09-22
Daniel O'ConneII and James Gordon Bennett
ToTHs EDITOR OF THE LONDON TIMES -

Daniel O'ConneH and James Gordon Bennett.
To THs EDITOR OF THE LONDON TIMES -
SR,-On my return to London, after tour of
three weeks over Ireland and Scotland, l embrace
the first opportunity OF asking permission to reply TO
very gross and unjastifiable attack made upon me
on the 7lh and 9Th inst, by Mr.. O'COnnell, in the
Corn Exchange, Dublin, while as mere traveller,
quietly pursuing my journey through that city.
10th instant, In the shape OF correspondence from
Dublin, and has been circulated very extensively IN
the newspapers throughout the United Kingdom.
In visiting Ireland, which then did for the first
time, had received number OF Introductory let
tiers from highly respectable Irish gentleman in
London TO number of his friends in Dublin
Among these letters was one 10 Mr. O'Connell. i
reached Dublin on Sunday the 9th instant, and hav-
ing only very short time to devote to that city,
procured a carriage on the same afternoon, and cal
led in person upon the gentlemen to whom my letters
were addressed. Among Others drove TO Mr. o Con-
nel's residence Merton square, and left my letter,
Hotel" where stopped. During course of near.
ly twenty years as an editor IN the United States,
eight years of which have been proprietor of the
New York Herald, have always entertained and
expressed high and liberal opinion OF Mr., O'Con-
nell, and warm sympathy for the Irish people,
There was nothing, therefore, in our relations TO
make the Introduction to him improper.
Next day (Monday, Aug. y went round Dublin,
purpose of viewing the public buildings institutions,
and other sights. About two O'Clock we had finish
ed our tour but on return to the hotel remark
ed, 81 must see the Corn Exchange, and if possible
hear O'Connell; It will not do to return TO New
York without having seen that sight " We accor-
dinghy drove to the Corn Exchange. Alter paying
shilling admitance lee at the door, attempted to
get in, but 1t was small and so crowded that 1t
was found impossible. AS last effort, my name
and residence were given at the private entrance.
Several persons cried out, snake way for the Anne
rican gentleman" "Why the divil don't you make
way ?"and was handed in with as much attention
large amount of trent" from New York to swell
the funds OF the association in Dublin. AS soon as
my name was mentioned 10 O'Conne and while
was standing near the table, and quietly looking
over the singular scene, | was assaed by Mr.. o.
Cornell in those dlscourteous, inhospable, and
brutal terms, in which he was reported in your Dub
lin correspondence. The suddenness and abruptness
of the outrage seemed not only to astonish his own
auditors but even to astonlsh himself, tor he hurried
over the scene anG proceeded in his business at once
After taking look round the assembly, retired
very quietly.
Next day Mr. OConnel, being well aware of the
gross breach of ordinary decorum he had commit
ted, endeavOred TO justify himself by making an
additional attack upon my public and private cha
racter-an attack equally unfounded, untrue, and
malevoent Having vloloed all decorum on the
first day, he endeavored to Justify that violation by
deepening it into barbarty, falsehood, and outrage
Mr.. O'COnnell offered as passive apology state
ment made by Mr.. Silk Buckingham, to the effect
that | had endeavored to extort money from the
latter when he visited the United States few years
ago. This charge, and all such charges, | pro.
nounce utterly untrue. Mr.. Buckingham came to
the United States money speculation, travel
ling through the country, delivering lectures Tor pay
on Oriental literature and customs. He sent his adj
vertlsements and self-laudatory notices (puffs we
call them) to the newspapers, and among others 10
mine. The clerk who attends to this branch ct my
business told his agent that his rufls were also AT
verlsenents. and must be pad ior Dis usual never
had any intercourse with Bj.king CHAM saw
II ~
pie facts. Buckingham mas manufactured HE iaise.
hoods he has published N ms work, aud DANIEL
endorses his falsehood in the Dublin Corn Ex-
change, and endeavors to assail the character OF
man who feels himsef TO stand at least on as high
level of honor, morals, worth, and public spirit as
he does.
The real motives which ac,uated Mr.. O'Connell
in making so unprovoked an attack upon me, have
hitherto been concealed from the public eye.
will now disclose them, and they will be found
sufficient to account tor his conduct ! contributed
to stop the rent" that was expected from Anne
rlca. This will be apparent in giving brief
sketch OF the rise, progress, and extinction of the
Irish Repeal agitation in the United States, and of
business.
The Repeal agitation began in New York seve-
raj weeks before lett that city, which was on the
10Th OF June last They held their meetings night
Broadway, called Washington Hall. Immediately
on the commencement of the agitation was called
upon by several of its leaders and promoters to as
certain my views on the subject, and whether
would support the movement. They were anxious
to procure The aid of the Herald, because from its
extensive circulation, and its superior corps OF re-
porters, 1t would do the cause more good than any
other paper. | thanked them for their COED OPT
friendly to the Irish people, who were a generous
and hgh-spirited race; that / had always sup
ported their rights in the United States, and sympa-
!hlsed with their dstresses in their native land;
kt,t fhaf Il tha V~,AI Irn,-
very questionable and impracticable measure;
that II could not remove social evils in Ire and and
that there was much improprie,y in Americans en-.
deavorlng TO promote the dlsmenberment OF the
BRUSH empire while we had treaties of amity IN
existence, as there was in certain fanatics IN En-.
gland, and even in Mr.. OConne himself, endea-
vorng to encourage an agitation against the south
ern States, which might lead to dlsmeinberment
OF our own Union. They acknowledged the justice
of the view, but apologzed for Mr.. O'Connells
abuse OF the southern States by atrlbutlng il to mis-
ignorance of American opinion and consti-
utlons, and especially TO his ignorance OF
came TO the United States They told me further,
that many OF them had the same view of the absur-
dity and mpractlcablity OF repeal OF the Legisla-
tive Union as had, but they assured me that the
great movement OF repeal In Ireland, with Its afhl
ated movements in the United States, was only the
beginning of grand revolutionary idrama, that
would soon be able TO subvert the monarchles and
arlstocracies OF England, France and all western
dlu all tIlOSt
countries On hearing this remarkable disclosure,
had nothing further TO say about the technicaiies
OF repeal. assured them that / would send my re-
porters to their meetings, and report their proceed
lngs fully and accurately. did so and in these
reports will be found an open avowaI, by their
speakers and leaders, of the real meaning OF The Re-
peal agitation both in Ireland and the United States
AT these meetings large sums were collected TO be
transmtedto Ireland; but among the native Anne
rican population there was great doubt felt OF the
propnety of interfering with the internal affairs of
Ireland, and there was special Object TO send
ing any money 10 Ireland, many probably thinking
that the honest debts to foreign bondhoders should
be first liqudated, before money should be gene
rously sent TO Dublin to create revolution or sup
ply the wants of Daniel O'Connell and his men.
In the midst of these feelings and views, while
repeal in New York was raging very high, and
spreading rapidly all over the country, while the
papers began the publication Of Mr. UConnell's ia
NOUS speeches in the Corn Exchange, abusing and
eliminating the Southern States, and avowing his