Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-21
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
SYMPATHY WITH THE IRISH ExILEs.
IN SENATE. FrpnuAnY 7. 1852.

the exiled Irish patriots Smith 0'Brien and Thomas T.
Mcagher, and their associates.
BE Il resolved de- That in consideration of the general
sympathy by people of the United States for Smith
0Brien, Thomas F. Meagher, and their immediate
GATES exiled patriots and the sympathes felt by
counymen these distinguished sufferers who have be
adopted citizens of the United States the President of
the United States be requested to authorize correspondence
to be opened with the Of her Majesty the Queen
Of Britain appealing the magnanimty Of tho British
Government and people in their behalf and respectfully
oueng the liberation personages present
confinement with offer to receive them upon the hospabc
shores of the United States.
On Thursday the Goth of January, Mr.. SHIELDS sub
mitted the following amendment, which is the pending
question:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert
That while we disclaim all of interfering any
way in the affairs of the Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, deem it duty to express in respectful
manner conviction that it would be highly gratifying
the people the United States Of whom natives
Ireland connected by blood with the inhabitants Of
that country to Smith oBren and his associates restored
liberty and permitted if disposed TO emgratc to this
country We would regard this of clemcncy
proof friendly disposition of the British Government to-
wards our Republic and as calculated strengthen
of affection now happily existing between the people of the
United States and of the United Kingdom Of Great Britain
and Ireland
Mr. SHIELDS said: Mr. President have prepared
the amendment which now take the liberty OF offering
as substitute for the original resolution offered by Sc
(Mr. FooTE) no longer member of this body,
the suggestion of my honorable and distinguished
friend from Michigan In framing it, also prohted by
the suggestion of my honorable friend from South Caro-
Ina (r. BUTLER j and hope it is now in shape that
am exceedingly anxious for it's PASSAGE because as IL
stands think il preserves the dignity OF TINS Gov
ernment and give reasonable offence to the Eng
lsh Government and firmly believe it viii enect nu-
name and Christian obect-the liberation OF those unfor
tunate from captivity. ! may as Wen state tnat
OBren, Meagher and oDonohoe were cons,c.ed Of Urea
SON and sentenced be hanged drawn, and quartered
which sentence afterwards committed by virtue of
express statute, into transportation for lfe Mitchell,
Martin and ODougherty convicted of sediton-an
offence made felony and species of by statute
expressly enacted for the occasion and they
fenced to be transported Mitchell for fourteen years. and
Martin and 0Dongherty for ten years each. These six
persons in captivity in Van Deman's Land. The
punishment is not cruel is degrading but to
like these death would be acceptable than degrade
ton And what can be degrading than to confne
and in confound, such noble spirits with the
vest convicted criminals of the British empire If this
resolution has the effect hope it WILL Of restoring
these Irish patriots to liberty it will be work of benef
cence and the action of this Government will be to- them
like the interpostion of angel of mercy But
fails accomplish this object it will still be successful in
another respect it viii sound like voice of encourage
the captivesthe voice of great people 1t will
give them consolation and hope and if it watt them
thing hope twill tighten their captivity and brighten
their reary existence in that far land As Of
the friends of these Irish exles take this occasion
the Senate-and think interpret the wishes of
all their friends when make this statementthat they
have the good fortune reach shores have
no wish to see them welcomed with any public demonstra-
ton or display like that which has been just rendered
the iustrious Kossuth We ask nothing of that kind.
We wish them receive other welcome recep-
ton than that which the American heart always
renders to the noble unfortunate.
In the passage of this resolution all declare is that
to the people of the United States Surely there
no reasonable objection this We ask that they be
permitted to ehgrate to this country to incorporate
themselves with citizens, and live here quietly and
peacefuy under the protection of free constitution
There are strong natural for the interest which
the people of this country take in the fate Of Ireland and
Irishmen Not only millions of native Irishmen eii
zens of this country at this time but Irish blood
warmly in the veins Of than half the people of the
United States Besides America is not Indifferent to the
fate Of Ireland rshmen for the best and nobes Of all
human reasons because both have been in sense
unfortunate There is still another and higher view Of
this matter and which to me to rise above all
the etiquette Of diplomacy. In the people of
this country and Of Great Britain and Ireland may be
considered as great distinct family Of the human
race connected by strong natural and traditional rea
TONS which exist TO the extent amongst other
people on earth-bood language, literature, the memo
ries Of the past and the hopes of the future America
may be considered only Che second home, but the ul
innate home Of millions who born under the British
flag How then il be suspected that under all
these circumstances application Of this kind could Of
fend the British Government So far from being Offend
ed sir in my humble opinion it is complimentary TO that
Government. 1 firmly believe the British Government
win not refuse this request scarcely hsw any
Government at this age Of the world well refuse
grant request preferred in such disinterested spirit
this is for such humane and mercifu object. The Brit
ish Government has nothing to gam by continuing these
in confinement and nothing TO risk in their liberia
ton It has nothing fear from Irish agitation
Ireland is at this moment feeble, helpless and hope
less the ant-Irsh heart desire Her nation
atty gone her hopes crushed her ancient gener
GUS is becoming extinct She has future, if
she has, il is dark At such time, and under such
circumstances how any Government great and pow
erul the English Government is retain the last defend
ers of such q nation in captivity
At this age Of the world, | think IL is generally
admitted that to punish for political offence
without very strong political necessity is not act Of
justice sefdefence but, the contrary act Of
cruel, useless and impolitic vengeance The British Gov
ernmentis proud and powerful to soop to the wicked
weakness Of vengeance think the present very favor
able time for moving IN this affair." and for preeing this
request The friendly relations exist at this time
between this country and Great Britain There strong
feeling Of mutual regard and interest and per-
haps may add, Of common danger uniting the
people Of both countries this close and init
mate connection. The English people so far as can OBJ
serve begnnngt appreciate the character
and institutions Of this country, and look with some
thing like admiration upon the growth Of this continental
Republic. Not only England, but the world begins TO
and acknowledge that this nation destined TO future
supremacy America is the predestned mistress the
future Such Is not the condition Of England herself
Great and powerful England is at this day-and the
world admits that she is great and powerfuher
stances such that she will be forced compromise
with the future. She has power strength and energy
but her energies may be said to be fcered She is like
giantess in chains Her immense debt constitutes her
chain and her letters The English people strong and
patient They possess great many sterling qualities
industry, perseverance and forttude but with all these
qualities, such the vastoad which is pressing upon
them they win be compelled in my opinion in the first
general convulsion the first political