The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-27
The Conviction and Sentence OF Smith
O'Brfen.

The Conviction and Sentence OF Smith
O'Bren.
The intensity of the horror, and the depth of the
painful excitement, which were apparent in this
city among all classes of our populaton-native as
well as foreien--on the reception of the news thai
the patriot. Smith O'Br,en had been convicted and
senten, ed to be hanged drawn, and quartered, for
the crime OF serving his county, was without
parallel in the history OF this city. II was not
excitemen that finds vent loud curses and noisy
mpreca.ions-which like clamorous grief, expends
Its force at once, and is then forgotton but it was
deep, silent and intense. promising permanence'
and imporlng future vengeance. That verdict,
the base means by which it was obtained, and
the barbaric sentence which followed It, have
awakened feeling in this country which must,
and will, sooner or later, find utterance; and If
the wrath of Heaven is not entirely exhausted re-
Notwithstanding, dread ul, damning retrlbu-
ion-is in store for the authors, aiders and abet
tors OF the dreadful tragedy. Yes, let 1t 60 down
TO posterlty, that IN the year lS48, England, the
country which has pharasaicaly claimed to be
foremost In civilization and in religlon-whlch has
sent her missionaries to the faithest ends of the
earth to preach t. the untutored and barbarous
sons of man the precepts Of the divine Messiah
forcing "pesce en- earth and good will to all men,
down The threats of unwilling Pagans-which has,
with blood-stalned hands, lmplored the favor of just
Providence, and returned thanks Tor the slaughter
ofthousands and tens of thousands of men, women.
and children; which has emancipated her West
Indian slaves, an example for the world to do
likewise; which has washed her hands of war,
and prays by night and by day, with upfted
hands, that the peace of the world may be pre-
served through the wisdom Ct God, having a
length discovered the snfuness of war; which
prints and dissemlnates Bibles by the Million and
scatters them from the points of bayonets over the
four quarters of the world; that England, on the
throne of which is a woman-God's best gift to
man-has sentenced patriot to death for serving
his country and with ferocl,y and barbarlty tn at
would disgrace the North American savage, or
the native OF the South Sea Islands, has decreed
that his body, formed in the image of the ever
living God, shall, after the spirit which inhabits
1t shall have flown, be beheaded, drawn and quar-
tered, and the CORY parts placed at the disposition
OF her Queen. Yes, let it go down to posterity,
that England has done this; and let it be remem-
bered, too, when the hour of retrlbuton arrives
as arrive 1t will, certain God Of justice rules
the wond--let the nations OF the earth remem-
Der 1t; and, when Heavens vengeance is poured
forth on her head, let no sympathy be shown, let
her drink its cup Of bitterness to the dregs, drop
by drop, until this, and the ten thousand other
crimes which she has been guilty OF, shs Il be
washed out with blood and tears from the book
of Heavens recording Angel.
We can scarce believe that such is the sentence
on Smith O'Brien. 1t is, however, a fact-bar-
barous, unchristan and intoerable as it Is
inflicted too, in the Queens name, and sane
toned by her authority. 1t 10 identical with
shooting doe IN the forest quartering it,
and nendiDg the best and latest part TO the
Queen, TO be roasted IN the royal kitchen, and
served on the royal table. 1t may be that the
iatter part of the sentence will be RENTED; but il
smith O'Bren be executed, we hope his body
will be drawn and quartered IN accordance with
the 20 ntence 1t will hasten the crisis which Is
,ast apr GA chinq--it will hasten the time when
the tyranncal, corrupt, rotten, and unfeeling
tocracy of that unfortunate country shall them
selves sue for mercy; hen the heel of the OPP
pre- ssed masses shall be on their necks, and when
mercy will be denIed TO them, as they have de-
nitd it TO others. The worlds opinion has yet to
be pronounced, and 1t will be pronounced, on this
Transaction. America will BE- foremost ia giving
ulNIduC' ~ hs dhO NHllt enc VIII c1nDdin the
memory OF the victim, she Will hand over the au-
thors Of Smith O'Bren's martyrdom, IN the cause
OF mans political redemption, to undyIng nfamy
and disgrace. Already we hear whisperings of
public meetings to express indignation at the base
ness oi the manner by which he was convicted.
and the barbauty Of The sentence; and we would
not be surprised, il before one month elapsed,
shout Of holy Indignation will ascend to heaven,
the revei beTations Of which will carry terror into
the hearts Of the monsters who rule the destlnies
o. England. We hear, too, that measures will be
taken 10y the Irish In America to stop, as far
their power, the consumption of British manufac.
tures, and TO register vow, that till Smith
O'Brien's blood be atoned for, they will not con-
sumo anything coming from that country THIS
would be revenge, indeed. In consequence of the
unsettled states OF the European continent, the
United states is the principal market for all Eng
lands productions. Let them not be consumed.
aud her thousands and hundreds Of thousands of
operatives will b, oosed from the only bond that
keeps them from overthrowIDg the government,
and IevtllDR over the PROSTATE bodies Of their
opprettors II such movement this is really
cont, mIlaad, ~ We have heard, II will be the
- blow that Engan nd has ever received, and
beiorr out year bes run, she would be on her
knee, Ieprbtant, and begging forgiveness tor her
mo il"d acts 81 wrong, oppresslOn, corruption,
end balbaiiy.