Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-04-26
Termomt pboemtr.
FRIDAY. April &c, 1874.
o,coNNELL.

| The position of OConnell is a singular and q
proud one. He stands before the world a convicted
crimina-convicted by the unanimous voice Of a
jury Of twelve Of his own countrymen, Of high
misdemeanor. Yet he undoubtedly at this mo-
ment, possesses and yields more moral power than
any man living, and that power has leen greatly
increased by this conyictiou-a conviction obtained
purpose to destroy that power, and with it. Irish
Repeal, He has lost by il no power in Ireland
The lrish--the Catholic Irish, are with him en-
masse, and submit to his guidance and control, as
readily as the well trained steed to the control OF
his rider. With their mercurial blood boiling in
their veins, with deep and bitter indignation at the
wrongs Of Ireand-with their hearts swelling al
most to bursting with hate and revenge towards
their English oppressors, and earnestly, passionate
ly DESTROYS to strike the blow for lrelands liberia
ton at his nod, all is peaceful il no volcano
ragged beneath. Not blow is struck-not a dol
lars worth of property is destroyed-and the hot
impotence of Irish character is restrained simply
by their unwavering faith in Daniel o'Connell.
In England his power has been immensely in.
creased by his trial and conviction. That love Of
fair play that characterizes Anglo-Saxon blood, has
been outraged by the unfairness aud injustice Of his
trial. In a country where nine-tenths of the peo-
pie are Catholics, jury, composed entirely Of Prot
estants-of Orungemen-bitlerly opposed to o.
Cornell and all his movements-was packed for the
occasion, and instead of being tried by impartial
jury, he was tried by jury of his enemies, who
were ready to convict him, whether innocent or
guilty.
But what has given him the most power is, that
he is looked upon a martyr to free discussion
A. r Il. =. "a
is asked who is safe in opposing any measure Of
the government in seeking the repeal Of any odous
law OConnell is astute and profound lawyer,
and more than any other man. has studied how far
popular agitation is safe aud within the limits of the
law, and it is asked if o Council has been caught
trapped-if he who has made the law the study of
his life, is guilty Of its breach without knowing it,
why may not others-why may not we be caught
trapped-in the same way' If juries can be pack.
ed in Ireland, why they not be packed in Eng
land The Anti Corn Law Leaguers--lhe advo-
Gates OF free suffrage-the friends Of reform in
Church and Stae-al feel that o Connells cause is
their cause. He is found guilty Of high INSIDE
meanor for seeking the repeal of an act of parla-
ment by peaceable means. They are seeking SINH
lar measures by the same means. In this way, the
whole Increment party of Great Britain feel that
their fortunes are linked with OConnells They
look upon him their champion, and instead of
feeling cowed down by his conviction, they feel
that though by the forms Of law he is convicted,
that morally, and before the whole world he is
quilted. The triumph Of the government is turned
TO defeat, and convicted O'Connell is more power
full than the unconvicied. His gratifying and
enthusiastic reception in Parliament-in the great
meeting at Covent Garden, where, al his entrance
the air was rent again and again by the swelling
voices Of 5000 peope--at Birmingh where
ever else he has shewn himself testify the strong
hold he has upon the feelings of the people Of Eng
land. In this state Of things, the ministry dare not
punish o Council The moral power they sought
to destroy by his conviction, has vastly increased
and let them but dare 10 incarcerate him for sin.
gle day-nay for a single hour, within the walls of
a prison, and that power would hurl them from
their high places, If il did not shake the throne il.
self This, they know. OConnel has yet been
able to say TO the mighty waves Of popular agita-
ton "thus far shalt thou 60, and farther but
were he imprisoned, we doubt whether they would
not angrily burst away from every restraint, and
roll and dash with terrific violence around the foot
of the throne itself
o Council, then, so far is master Of the field and
his position is truly proud one and we trust he
will be able to maintain il until Erin, that sweetest
Isle Of the Ocean, shall be free from English inso.
ence and English oppression.