Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-25
DANIEL O'CONNELL.

Among the other items of intelligence received
by the last steamer is ono in regard TO this illus.
irious man, for which we were not prepared.
Here il is. - ...
ale hss attained the allotted duration Of human life; but
n the which sppssr BE- true d, sned long
TO exceed it, Those who him nightly in the House Of
Commons dec,re that he sinking fast, and that the last
IL months have added thirty years load to hi, existence
He enters aud leaves the House the OF his John
and once twice, when he esssyed speak his voice
was 50 feeble that he could scarcely be heard the
tets gallery. This appears be the winding up OF
which will always stand out despite i uperetous
one OF the mcs remarkable in the history OF the British
ton"
We can scarcely recognize in this description,
the great Agtator Of Ireland. ----the man who is
by some regarded as the saviour of his country,
by others, a traitor who has made merchandise OF
her sutierings, and grown rich upon her tears.
We pretend not 10 decide what is the character
of the Advocate IL is enough for Us to know that
there is that in his cause which must rouse an
answering thrill OF sympathy in the breast OF every
vo;ary ef freedom. We feel for Ireland en-
thrAIied, neglected, despised Ireland. A noble
people, warm. hearted and brave, renowned the
world over, for generosity, eoquence. genius and
wit such a race, when il struggles for deliver.
ance from oppression, must enlist in its behalf
the encouragement and appreciation OF all friends
of liberty throughout the world.
But Daniel O'Connell Can 1t be that he who
has occupied 50 large a space in the worlds eye,
has shrunk to such small dimensions Can that
be the great Agitator.. THAT infrm cid man,
leaning on the arm OF his son for support, almost
insensible to surrounding objects. and scarcely
able to make his voice heard above whisper
nat a wreck Of humanity
We never think of Daniel O'COnnell as that
man. We sec him, the strong, athletic Irishman,
his burly frame towering above the surrounding
crowd, his extended hand quivering with excite
ment his voice ringing out like trumPet.call
upon the still air. A hundred thousand people
are gathered around --men, women and even
children They are listening with GREATNESS atten.
ton to every syllable that falls from the Liberaiors
lips. Ii may be that he is deuiing that unsus-
pecting multitude, but what irresistible mastery
does he exercise over their hearts. How paihet-
icay he paints their condition, impoverished, de.
ISOLATE and oppressed and in what striking colors
he contrasts it with the ancient days of Ireand's
CORY and renown. Or, he points TO the humble
altars OF their faith, reared upon the hill side,
hidden in the grove. and reminds them of the
days when they worshiPped God after their che.
rished creed, with none to modest make them
afraid. He speaks Of Irish services to England.
He points to the bones of her sons bleaching upon
every battlefield, Ito Waterloo, even to Wei
lington. And vet, it is not so wonderful, that
with such exciting topics, he can arouse the pas.
sions of his auditory, as that, when aroused, he
can check all violent manifestations Of their in.
dignatIon, and say with effect, to the upturned
sea OF human passion, "Peace, be still"
Ireland will feel bitterly the loss of O'ConnelI
She caHnot supply his place. She will find her
self farther than ever from the great object fol
which she has so long labored. Peel can hence
forth leave her out of his calculations in his Do
Icy towards the rest Of the world, unless infur
ated by despair, she seizes the sword, and make:
one final and bloody effort for deliverance.