American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-21
The Irish ExiIes.

Inc meeung at Pnlladelphla on Wednesday
night was splendid demons tration. Governor
Johnston presided, assisted by about one hun
dred Vice Presidents Gov.J, j. r. Chandler,
2. Collins Lee, Robert Tyler, John Cadwalladcr,
Morton M'Michael, and John OByrne, were the
orators. An address to the President of the
United States was read by Robert Morris. 1t
was from the pen ofC. ]. Ingersoll, whose health
would not permit him to attend. 1t was as fol-
lows:
address TO the President Of the United States. .
A numerous assemblage at the city Of Phila-
delphia of American citizens of all parties, pre-
sided over by the Governor of Pennsylvania, re-
presenting, there is reason to believe, nearly
the unanimous and hearty sentiment of the
whole State, beg leave, respectfully but earn
estly, to urge the Executive of the United States
to apply the influence of the American nation,
which appears to be in action, to obtain from
the British government the release of Smith
OBrien, Mitchell, Meagher, and their compa-
Mons in misfortune from distressing captivity
in a remote and inhospitable region.
The lawfulness of their condemnation we will
not discuss; but as they could not have been
convicted of high treason if tried by English
law, and as all constructive treason is prohibi-
ted by the Constitution of the United States,
American sympathy for these gentlemen is ex-
cited by even the means of their conviction
But it can be no cause of just offence to Great
Britain that American sympathy is aroused by
any and by all Irish suffering Open, earnest,
anxious, national interposition, by respectful
appeal to the British government in behalf of
such victims as those we pray for, is an obliga-
ton as binding on Americans and as natural as
it was for them to succour Ireland when dis
tressed by famine.
Many hundred thousand Irish every year
leave their birth place to seek relief in this
continental refuge for the poor and distressed.
Since the proyidential migratons recorded in
Holy Writ, no such wonderful exody has ever
been known as that by which an ancient and
once-powerful people flock by numbers annually,
enough to constitute large State, to undertake
the work, predial, industrial, and toilsome, of
the youngest of communities. Crossing the
broad ocean to American domestication, allie
glance, and amalgamation, furnishing large
part of the motive power of the most progress
sive Of countries, for Americans not to sympa-
thize with the Irish would be unnatural In
the urgent interposal of our government with
Great Britain for O'Brien and his compatriots,
the English cannot but perceive the most legiti-
mate, praiseworthy, and influential cause of
action.
Increasing commercial, ameliorated social,
and more analogous political intimacy of late
between Great Britain and the United States,
are softening asperites which had alienated
kindred people, whom nothing will tend to re
unite so much as constant reciprocity of good
Offices.
Among these the liberation of O'Brien and
his companions by the British ut the instance
Of the American Government would be signal
and memorable kindness, glorious to England,
grateful to America, delightful to Ireland AN
act Of magnanimous benefcence by which Ame-
rican succor to Ireland would be nobly repaid.
Disclaiming oil idea of improper interference
with British control, or suggesting their execu-
tive policy, may we not believe that British
Justice would be unimpaired and British policy
promoted by the pardon of these unfortunate
gentlemen, entreated by the American offspring,
in some measure, of Great Britain herself
Pardon, the most attractive attribute of royal
powers, may it not be urged by Americans, is
the obvious policy of the illustrious lady who
benignly yields the sceptre of that mighty en-
pire. These unhappy exiles have long suffered
the incessant torture of exclusion from domes-
tic endearments, which their monarch's yirtuous
example incucates as among the most precious
enjoyments Of her subjects. She has named
one of her princely sons in token of regard for
Ireland. On this side Of the Atlantic we are
free to estimate and characterize her reign.
Would not the successor of the Elizabeth and
Mary queens Of England, under whom her i'm
perial realms are no longer ruled with rods Of
iron, perform an act of royal grace and Glenn
ency more potent than any exercise of execu-
tive power, by pardoning those punished for
1ealous love of country?
We cannot doubt that, if our government en-
treats this act of clemency with the earnest
zeal BETTING the occasion, it will not be with
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