The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-08-08

dItIon OF NATURALIZATION, would be virtual DIS
ranch sement.
Exiles ofIreland for freedom and for con-
science sake, you are Justly alarmed and
aggrieyed by such wrongs in the land TO
which you were invited as an asylum.
Simultaneous with these misfortunes here,
the revo,u ion in your own country has been
arrested-the mass meetings which demon
strated the universal uprising of Ireland, and
gave such hopes of her speedy restoration
have given place to subdued and anxious
but fearful gathering around the -Four Court,
where her champions have been on trial for
devotion 10 her cause. OiConnell, the Wash
ington of Ireland, is condemned and incar-
cerated within the walls of a prison. The
obstreperous sympathy which cheered you a
year ago is heard no more, and the apollo
gists for oppression and intolerance rejoice
over the subiugation of Ireland, and the des-
oIation ofInshmen in America. LOBBY your
summons now because noe you need sym
pathy, encouragement and assistance. am
not howaver to plead your cause, for if |
could plead it with the eloquence ofO'Con-
nell, or of Shell, or OF Smith O'Brien, il
would be unnecessary and unavailing. Those
whom discussion could convince are convinc-
ed already, convinced by sympatbies and af
lection which are irrepressible. Those who
remain unconvinced can only be made friends
of Ireland and Irishmen by Witnessing the
lconstancy, frmness, fidelity and patriotism
of the Irish people. | have not heard the
loud and deep-toned censures upon the
Philadelphia wrongs, and upon the recent
acts of British oppression, which | expect
ed from the American press and from the
leaders of mind in America. Therefore, in
this hour of trial [ come here freely to de-
clare before my countrymen, and il my voice
could reach the region of thrones to declare
before P~rincipalities and Powers, that the III
liuies inflicted upon lrishmen in America
are a fragrant violation of Law-of the Con
Istitntion-of Liberty, and of Humanity. |
know indeed what this declaration costs. Ii
may indeed give comfort TO the poor and des
%ponding exile and awaken feelings of kind
ness towards me in his bosom, but it will of
fend very many of my own countymen. BE
it so. desire the respect and regard OF my
own countrymen. but [ would rather have
IS the gratitude of one Responding and oppres
S sed fellow-man, than the suffrage of The
! whole American People given to me in con
sideration of denying any true principle o
e Free Government, or depressing any impulse
of humanity.
d They tell US that an Irishman or Irishmen
# fired upon American citizens lawfully as
d sembled and peaceably engaged in the dis
4. %cussion of subjects affecting the public wei
,e fare. No matter how offensive might hav.
,e been the conduct of that assemblage or how
unjust or how irritating its discussions, if AN,
.e Irishman did thus as5ail American citizens,
u disavow him condemn him-l deliver hin
n over TO the law and to public execraiion, 70
D he has committed an objectionable offenc
against the Law and Liberty. But the accu
Of sation is denied. They are strong who &C
i'd cuse the weak-ihe victor who upbraid tn
. comprehensive incendaries who revile til,
sufferers; therefore | await for the proofs
re and suspend my judgement upon the accu
%sation.
til But grant that an freshman or Irishmei
DIS did commit this great offence how can
~palliate the guilt of the retaliation? eWome
ty and children and ministers of religion wer
oh hunted from their burning dwellings an
churches. Did the library the hospital or I'll
le Altar excite 10 violence? Were they prizes
III woman and childrenwlo fred upon the n;
m tive Americans?
re But they tell US an excuse for the Natiy
be American Party, in whose name these crime
ish were committed, that Roman Catholics
i'd Philadelphia and New York endeavore
| though by Constitutional means, to exclu;
ne the Bible from the Public Schools. kno
til not how such a plea can bear upon issue.
But | affirm that on this subject | have amp
me knowledge and information, and | decla
as and testify before my country and the worl
ish that the cnARGE Is UNJnsT TO THE ROM
ms CATHOLICS and IS FALSE and cALUMNIoUs.
of But why agilate these painful subjscts?-
lu Because they involve Immediately the rigE
ap- and security of an important portion of t
BUS American family, and ultimately rights il
pie portant to the whole American People a
to mankind.
on The Declaration of American Indepe
ad- dence asserts that all men are free and eqJ
and and have inalienable rights 10 Life, liber
itch and the pursuits OF happiness. Liberty a
ess. the pursuit of happiness involve the right
her free immigration. These rights are sacr
rem, under the Constitution and Laws, by I
fee power ofSufrage, and not otherwise.
and N natter then where a man may have be
by born or how educated, how elevated or b.
not degraded, unless by crime, wherever his
les, is cast there he is a subject, and becaxs,
.ars.l subject a member of the Civil State; and
tors a condition of obedience TO auth ority, ha
hip- right to express his choice of those "
tual make, and of those who execute the Lay
this This universal right of suffrage is ackno
.ded edged by our Constitution and Laws in
cord to 1bnca horn in faroInn loDJz u1,b