The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-11-01


The trial of Smith o Brien is ended-the sentence
of the law has been passed upon him, and before
now has probably been executed to the full extent
OF its inhuman provisions. Another name is added
10 the list Of martyrs in the cause of Irish liberty
another name is engraven in deathess characters
upon the Irish heart Smith O'Brien, the last
victim of British tyranny, has gained place in
history by the side of Emmett What more exalted
station could his fondest hope desire! Let the two
rest together, and eptaph be written upon their
tomb, until that freedom is obtained which their
efforts were ur@ble to achieve. When thatis done,
a monument will have been erected to them, more
enduring than the scuptured marble, and more
worthyof the admiration of the world.
O'Brien is sacrificed he is condemned 10 a
feions fate, though gutless of a selon's act. But
he has committed what the law 81 Britain holds
more criminal that felony lie has dared to let his
tongue give ntterance to the wishes Of his heart,
and has avowed that his arm was ready 10 strike
for the liberty of his country For this his body
is to grace the hangman's rope, after which, its
four quarters are to be exposed to the people, as
warning to them, what they may expect should the
noblest impulses Of humanity induce them to follow
his example. Will they be deferred Though I'M
successful now, will they submit to eternal tyranny
The experience of the past, and just appreciation
Of the causes which may be productive of particular
effects would lead to negative reply; while the
same things might induce Us to think that all future
atemps to overthrow the authority Of England will
terminate as fatally and disastrously as the last
Yetwe do.not give up all hope. The hour of retri-
button must come, though it be not this day, this
month, or this year 1t is common saying, that
virtue is its reward must not vice, then, pro-
duce It's own punishment and the very existence
of tyranny bring into action the means of its own
successful resistance Experience teaches us this,
and if we apply those teachings to Ireland, we
shall cease to despair Of her final emancipation.
The American people, ever lavish of their sympa-
thies with the oppressed, have watched with the
most intense interest, the late events in Ireland
Their money has been freely given-words of kind
encouragement have been spoken, and their hopes
were great that the moment had at last arrived,
when the Irish people were achieve their deliver
ance In proportion TO elevation Of the hopes thus
entertained, the disappointment is great Many,
who in their enthusiasm, expected with the advent
of every steamer to hear Of the complete anniila-
ton Of the British forces, and perhaps dreamed
of the establishment of Republic, have now be-
come caId and indifferent This should not be So
Success is not always the test of merit; if it were
so, the British Government would at this day be
acknowledged as the purest and most liberal in the
world. Neither is failure a sure indication of the
injustice Of cause. The Irish are not less de-
serving of our sympathy because they have been
crushed by superior power Ireland, in her deep
distress, needs more of our encouragement, and
deserves more Of our pity, than if she were stri-
umphant over foes and happy in prosperity.