The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1851-12-03
Meeting in Behalf Of the Exiles.

Meeting I'm Behalf Of the Exiles.
The great demonstration in behalf of the
Irish exiles, to take into consideration the ex-
d:cncy ofaddressing memorial to the Amer
Ican Government, requesting its mediation with
that of England on behalf Of the Irish Patriots,
exied to Australia since the year lS48, came
off in Boston on the 9th ul:., Faneuil Hall
was crowded to its utmost capacity, there being
no less than four thoGs md persons in atten-
dance The meeting was called to order by
Patrick Donahoe, Esq, tha Chairman of the
Committee Of Arrangements, who introduced to
the audie nee Gov. Boutwell,, the President Of
the evening. .. =.
| Gov Boutwell, was received with hearty ap
plause, and made some eloquent and appropri-
ate remarks in regard to the liberation of the
Irish cxes through the intervention of our
Government Letters were then read from the
Hon r. e. Winthrop, Col Schouler, Attorney
General Clifford, b. F. Hallett, Esq, Mayor
Bigelow and other gentlemen of distinction, all
expressing sympathy with the object OF the
meeting After few remarks from M. IL.
Smith, Esq. of Chelsea, the following memori-
al to the President was read by Mr.. Kelly, who
was often interrupted by hearty applause
PROPOSED PETITION.
dent Of the United States Of .7merica.
The undersigned, citizens Of the United
States of America, desire to express through
you, their Chief Executive Officer, the sympa-
thy Of the people of these States, with VIM.
Smith o Bren Mitchell, Meagher, O'Donohoe,
Martin O'Dougherty, and others now in exile
and confinement for political offences against
the Government of Great Britain.
1t will be in your Excelencys recollection,
that in the year lS4S, when the condition of the
Irish Nation seemed desperate, these gentle
men, with others more fortunate in the end at
tempted the desperate remedy of revolution
Personally they made great sacrifices. MIR.
o Brit forfeited not only wealth and position,
bat embarked in that attempt the reputation he
had laboriously acquired, during fifteen years
membership in the Imperial Parliament The
other gentlemen were all men Of some heredi.
tary fortune distinguished in the learned pro-
fcssions. They were unfortunate, but they
were unstaned by mercenary motives or un-
worthy conduct. Men Of all parties in tier
land deplore their sufferings, and desire their
release, a desire in which we share, as well
from feeling certain of their great merits, as on
wider and more general grounds of policy.
The advance Of civilization and Christian
morals has induced international sympathy
which we thlnk fully justifies such procedure.
in such form as might awaken the apprehen-
SION of the British crown that are disposed
to assume the right, in the slightest degree, to
inquire into and control the affairs Of any for
eign power AS member in the great family
of nations desirous Of cultivatng in the hearts
of Governments, Gfthe expression be allowed
a care for the happines of individuals, solic.
tude for their improvement, and sympathy for
their suffcrings, we wish to express in this form,
| RI
tlemen and ask such respect for app!ica-
ton, as may comport with the policy of Great
Britain.
DID we conceive that the liberation of these
gentlemen might be dangerous to the British
Empire, or increase the suffering of any of its
subjects, we should refrain from asking it., and
should repress our sorrow for their calamitous
condition. Did we think it possible that (accor
ding to the established principles of political
anc social philosophy their continued punish
ment could exert salutary influence upon the
patriotism and moral sensibties Of a single
subject Of the British Empire, were we not
sure, on the contrary, that its effects must be
pernicious, in both these respects, to their coun-
trymen at home, as well as injurious to the
character of the British Government abroad,
we should remain silent We have learned
from the moralists and statesmen that vindlctive
punishments exaspe rate their victims, corrupt
their authors, and deaden the moral sense OF
the communities which they effect. Wher. the
public security, or the reformation OF the
sufferer, is not the purpose or apparent tenden'
CIV of punishment but the reflection of terror or
the qualification of resentment, it Is always
injurious. The strength of the British Empire,
and the tranquility of Ireland itself, forbid the
idea, that these gentlemen cannot be at liberty
with safety to the Government. No man can
/ T. loI xIot .pIx ,1,,,I pF,rmn
can be the motive for futhcr punishment.
These are gentlemen by birth, education
and social habits. Their manners morals, and
capacities have distinguished them among their
countrymen Their error, if they have erred,
has been one of opinion. That opinion regard.
ed the best mode Of relieving the sufftrings OF
the people of Ileland. The sufferings and the
necessity of relief have never been denied by
the British Government itself. The Govern
ment has not denied that much of that suffer
ing was caused by the abuse of the law and IT.
administration. The remedies sought by Mr.
O Bren and his fellow-sntferers involved then
: in condemnation under the existing authorize
: of the Empire They had shed no blood. 70
tical reformation ia the affairs OF ireland wa
solemniy promised by the English Govern
ment,
Difference of opinion rs TO the effects
Mr.. o Brien and his friends They may hav
> erred they may have adopted policy whic
threatened, as it pretended, national dlsas
ter, and great human calamity, but a dspasslor
ate posterity who will review the full develop
, ments of our age, will alone be competent
: decide these questions Justly The pages
. Irish history TEEN with names of men who:
e premature fates fill the world with regret-me
J of whose enterprises aud sufferings Englan
,. herself, in calmly reviewing the past, cann
= but speak with respect and regret Nam'
: which in England, men bear proudly have d
IL rived their noblcst associations from ancestr
statesmen whose blood has stained the scaffol
p The trumphs of the day did not in the time
+ which we speak, and cannot now immortall
V the successful actors in political struggle
. mercy, ma.nanmity and philosophic lustl
embalm the the memory of the powerful IN ;
re time.
Us Those of us, who are by birth Americ
in citizens, will offer apology for thus preser
70 ing ourselves to your notice. We believe
presenting ourselves to your no'oe-in til
IL requesting your interposltion with the Britt
sy Government for the liberation of these gent
meE-t'at ask you 10 do nothing unusual
the practice of modern civilized nations-no'
o. ing but what has been recently done IN favor
IA the Hungarians by these United States,
of Frar ce, and by England herselt. lhere
close correspondence now recognized amo
M nations as there is among nd vlduals, nor II
~ deemed offensive for one Government rcspe
ay fully to call the attention of another to w
iv- may be torgetfulness OF some obligation
ar. some ennobling act OF generosity
Thcs, of us who are lrishmen by birth
briefly allude to the pecuari'ies of our positi
-. We plead in behalf of men who are suffer
wv deeply for an attempt to redress wrongs fl
nat which we lave escaped by seeking the asyl
nail of our present country This we have done
IN. the sacrifice of all our early affections wi
H. are so Enthusiastically strong in the Irish r;
uu- 1t is as brothers pleading for our brothers
he we ask your nterposi'ion for our suffering CO
trymen. We think the Irish citizens of An
ica entitled to the respectful consideration
hat this government. We have found here he
III, comfort, the means Of wealth, and the free,