The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-10-02
~ See First and Fourth pages. -
IrRland.


The news from Ireland which reaches us by
telegraph is of character better than we have for
some time permitted ourselves to hope. We say it
is better, for much as we may deprecate the flow
Of human blood, yet when it is shed in defence of
sacred right, though we may sorrow for the fallen,
| we must rejoice if their fate can advance the
cause of freedom. Error it is said may be toler-
ated when reason is left free to combat it, for in
such struggle truth must, in the end, prevail :;
but where reason is enchained and the tongue dare
not utter what the heart feels there can be but one
recourse--the sword. To this we have long hoped
that Ireland would resort; it is now her only sal
walton, and by it she lose nothing, for nothing
is risked where all is already lost. The packed
juries of Dublin the state trials those mockeries
of justice and the hulks of Bermuda, are evidences
Of the effect of moral force on the British Govern
ment, and prove that reason, unaded by something
more tangible, is poweress against tyranny The
time has come when balls and bayonets, can
non and cartridges, must settle the dispute We
satisfied that other course can enttle Ireland
to our respect, though we may lose none of our
sympathy for her deep distress.
We must confess that the ludicrous essay of
Smith O'Brien and his Quixotic followers the pre-
cipitate flight of the eloquent Meagher, and the
arrest of most of the confederate orators followed
as these events were by the continued reports of
returning tranquility, had somewhat damped our
ardOr and led to place some faith in the asser-
tons of the British press that the nsurrection was
completely suppressed before it had in fact COM
menced. We are glad to find that either our esti-
mate of British truth was much too high or their
credulity far exceeded their judgment. We are now
inclined to think that the late failure was not the
instruction which had been in regular process of
organization; but rather premature outbreak of
the more lmpetuous spirits, who we've unwilling or
unable to abide the time which had been fixed
But however this may be, the Government was by
it lulled into false security, and thinking that
The struggle was in fact ended by the dispersion Of
few rioters, and the capture Of few orators, de-
voted all its energies to packing jures and appoint
ing commissions for the disposal of the prisoners.
While the Government was engaged with lauda-
bic degree of zeal in this work, the confederates
were silently maturing their plans.
O'Gorman, who was thought to have fled the
country, suddenly appears at the head of a large
body of armed men, his reported flight having been
mere to gain time.
This is the moment that has all along been de-
signated for the decisive blow. The harvest-a
permitted to leave the country will be found
ample for the sustenance of the insurgent forces.
It has always been the case, even when the Irish
were perishing for want of food and famine stalked
through the land destroying its thousands of vic
tins, that there enough produced from the soil
by the labor Of the people to feed them all abund-
antly. But it is melancholy fact that the people
have never been permitted to consume the products
of their own industry Year after year they have
starved, while every breeze has borne from their
shores innumerabe ships, loaded with provisions to
be sold for the benefit of their luxurious over-fed
landlords. And this year, when the horrors of one
famine were fresh in their memories and dnother |
perhaps as dreadful staring them in the face, they
are calmly told by the organ of the Government |
that the same game is to be repeated, and that |
their perverseness and obstinacy in presumng TO |
disturb the quiet of the empire must deprive them of
even the pitiful succor which was unwillingly ex-
tended TO them last year. Even had the Irish been |
conquered, this announcement should |
have been enough to make every man rush TO arms |
and make one last effort, not for his liberty but his
life 1t is game of life or death at which the
Irish now have to play; if they decline it they
must expect death in its most horrd form; if they
accept the issue and lose they can be in no worse
position, while should they win they gain every
thing. 1t is desperate chance, and we can
scarcely dare hope for their success but if they
make the effort they may expect from America not
only the sympathy of words, but the more substan-
-ial aid which furnishes the sinews of war.
Mighty the deeds by desperate daring done,
When FREEDOMS banner waves above the sod
But draw the sword, the battle half is won,
And leave the rest to fortune and to GOd'