Arkansas intelligencer., 1847-05-29
the Republic led the ranks of your countrymen

The Republic led the ranks Of your countrymen
10 our succor.
We do not feel humbled at receiving the aid
oil the American people, however it may reflec,
on The character or an empire, ostentatious in lis
PretensIon to superior power, wealth and civil.
zaton, TO permit what it calls an integral portion
OF itself TO depend upon the voluntary contribu-
tions or traduced rival for its rescue from
famine.
The. Irish nation most sincerely desires to stand
wen win the people of America. Our recoIec-
tons of America arc all of n fro,ernal kind.
When, IN the year IT'S, Congress first sat at
Phad 'lphia. and when yet our Senate deberated
IN DuoIn, your fathers cordially addressed ours,
declaring that 'the Irish Parliament had done
them no wrong and expressing a hope that
friendship ana communion Of spirit might long
continue between the two countries. An emnen t
father OF your Constitution, Franklin when rep.
resentnS your Young commonwealth in France
addressed this nation in a similar spirit of cor
dIallty. Nor did Washington and Jefferson
whose names are by rs almost as cherished as bv
yourselves--refuse to cntcrlain and to express a
desire for friendly intercourse between the United
States and this Kingdom.
1t is unnecessary, sir. to remind you that Mr.
Burke ana Cot. Barre, the most resoIute advocates
OF The American coIonisls in the British Paria-
ment. were both lrIshmon by birth and education;
That Cen Montgomery, the proto- -mar:vr of your
history, was native of DoncgaI; that Com. Bar
ry, "thc father Of the United Safes Navy," was
a native of Wexford. These facts we do moi
recall boasltuly. The orator and soldier did but
lneIr duty IN asserting against England the cause
OF human freedom ty word and deed. We recall
tnc'r hlmcs only to show that from the first dawn
oi your country's existence it was the lot of our
people TO have been ia some sort her gents at
homo and her allies abroad. Yet from this ground
we raise no claim upon America, other than the
natural claim Of the children of departed friends
Tor continuation of the friendship which existed
between their fathers.
Although. sir, since the days of Jefferson and
Burke, Ireland has lost in power and America
has gained, still we hopo to be abo to recprocate
the many good offices your country formerly, as
well as lately, rendered US. We earnestly de.
sire that the current of trade now setting to those
shores from yours at the command of CHARITY
shall continue to flow when the occasion of its
first direction shall have happily passed away
!" hat future relations important to both count res
may arise from this direct commcrc ial intercourse,
II would be premature 10 anticipate,
&c cannot Sir, AVOID this opportunity o.: COM
mendng to you. and through you to our generous
American friends, the Irish cmgranls who, dur
ing the present seasol, will be landed upon YOUR
shores. lhey have a strong natural bias IN favor
OF America, ard all they require is information
and experience tc make them u service and a
strength to their adopted country.
We lament that the disastrous condition Of this
island comPcls lrishmen 10 abandon their homes.
We believe that Ireland. if wisely governed,
would be capable of sustaining in plenty lis pres
ent population. We are engaged in the prosccu.
ton OF policy which, by ensuring separate
legislation 10 this island will concentrate within
seII The elements of its regeneration, and we trust
that the time is not far distant wien we shall be
freed from the necessity of appealing on behalf
OF our eXllcs 10 the sympathes of other nations,
though we shall ever feel a pride in remembering
that in our time Of need those sympathics have
not been withheld
Permit us, in conclusion, on our own beh"If,
and on that Of the Irish nation, to thank you for
the distinguished part you took in the meeting Of
the friends of Ireland at Washington, and, through
you, to thank the eminent Senator's Representa-
tivcs and citizens, who have enthusiastically
carried out the recommendation Of that meeting.
and have raised those extraordinary contributions
throughout the Union for the benefit of Ireland.
OF which every new mail brings additional nei-
gonce.
WIN. SMITH O'BRlEN, Chairman.
L. +. MEAGlIER,
RICHARD O'GORMAN,
Junior Honorary Secretaries.