The daily union., 1852-02-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH og HON y. SHIELDS,
or ILLINOIS,
In he Senate Februaru Z. ls12-

these words
Joint resolution expressive Of the sympathy Of Congress for
lhs sxied Irish patriots, Smith OISren and Thomas r
Mosgher and their associates.
Be BY ts Senate and House Of Representatives.. of
1x Uasd S:as Of An,aiea IN COagrsss assembisd That
u consideration 9 he generai syspsthy felt by the peo,
MeaRhef and their immediate associates, ex'led Irish pa
,iots and tue synpathies felt by the untrymen Of
these distinguished sufferers, who have become adopted
States be requested 10 authorize correspondence To he
opened with the govenmen, OF her Majesty the Queen Of
Great Britain, appealing 70 the unity OF the British
government and people Ia their beha and respectfully re-
qaesng e Liberation Of these personagss from their pres
hosptable shores Of the United States
On Thursday, the 29lh of January, Mr. SHIELDS sub.
mtled the following amendment; which is the pending
question; a5 e6Q M
Strike on, all alisr the enacting clause and insert,
THAT while dsclan all Intention OF nteIfe ring Ia
any way the Internal affairs Of the king of Great
Britain and Ireland we deem i our duy 10 express in
highly gratifying 10 the people OF the United Slates many
& SLG ss ar %ss Of b and eoaaes,sa by blood
and his associates restored TO liberty and permitted
M Os, II 70 smguao 70 's county, We would regard
ton OF the British government towards republic,
G s ae or the
the United Kingdom OF Great Britain and Ireland"
Mr.. SHIELDS. Mr.. President have prepared the
amendment which now take the liberty of offering as
substitute for the original resolution offered by senator
mr. FocTE]now no longer member of this body on the
suggestion of my honorable and distinguished friend
from Michigan In framing IT, also profted by the sug-
geston OF my honorable friend from South Carolina,
Mr BuTLER,l and hope il is in shape that will
render it entirely satisfactory to the Senate If So arn
exceedingly anxious for Its passage, because it now
ment and give reasonable ohence 10 the English
government; and firmly believe it will effect humane
and Christian objecthe liberation Of those unfortunate
men from captivity | may as well state that O'Bren,
Meagher and ODonahoe were convicted OF treason and
sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered-which
sentence was afterwards commuted by virtue OF ex
pess statute into transportation for life. Mitchell Mar.
tin, and ODougherty were convicted Of sedItionan Of
ence made felony and species OF treason by statute
expressly enacted for the occasion; and they SEN
fenced be for fourteen years. and
Martin and O'Dougherty for ten years each These
SIX persons are now In captivity in Van Diemans
Land The punishment is not cruel il is Degrading
but 10 men like these death would be more acceptable
than degradation And what be more degrading than
oconfne, and in conIonnd, such noble spirits
wTh the vilesl convicted criminals Of the British empire
this resolution has the effect, hope il will of re
storing these Irish patriots TO liberty it will be work Of
benencence and the action Of this government will be to
them like the inteposilion OF angel of mercy But if
even fails 10 accomplish this object, will still be sue
cesiul IN another respect il will sound like voice of
encouragement to the capves-the voice OF great people
will give consolation and hope; and, if it watt them
nothing but hope, il will tighten their captivity, and
brighten their dreary existence in that far distant, land
As the friends of these Irish exes take this
caslon 10 state to the Senate-and think interpret the
wishes OF all their friends when make this statement
that il they have the good fortune TO reach
shores have no wish to them welcomed with any
public demonstration display like that which has been
Just rendered 10 the ilustrious Kossuth We ask moth
Of that kind We wish 10 them receive no other
welcome or reception than that which the generous
American heart always renders to the noble unfortunate
In the passage OF this resolution all declare that
The liberation OF these Irish patriots would be gratifying
TO the people OF the United States Surely there be
no reasonable objection TO this. We ask that they be
permitted 10 emgrae to this country--to incorporate
themselves with citizens and live here quietly and
peacefully under the protection OF free consultation
There are strong natural for the interest which
The people OF this country take in the fate OF Ireland and
lrishmen, Not only millions OF native Irishmen cti
zens OF this country al this time, but Irish blood
warmly IN the VEINS OF more than half the people oil the
United States Besides America is not indifferent TO the
fate OF Ireland lshmen for the best and nobest OF all
human reasonsbecause both have been in some sense
unfortunate. There is still another and higher view OF
the etiquette OF diplomacy 10 the people OF
this country and of Great Britain and Ireland may be
considered as one great distinct family OF the human
aee, connected by strong natural and traditional rela
IONS, which exist TO the same extent amongst other
people on earth-blood, language, literature, the
res o the past aud the hopes OF the future America
may be considered not only the second home but the u
innate home Of millions who born under the British
Tag How, then, can il even be suspected that under all
aese circumstances an application OF this kind could Of
lend The British government SO far from being offended
W. IN my humble opinion il is complimentary TO that
government firmly believe the British government will
hoiFelase this request can scarcely how any gov
snnenl al this age OF the world well refuse TO grant
nae'l preferred in such dsnerested spirit this is
otsach humane and meTcfu object. The British gov
eminent has nothing TO gain by continuing these men in
1Ounnenent, and nothing TO risk in their liberation. IL
as nothing TO fear from Irish agitation Ireland is
alns moment AS feeble helpless and hopeless, the
n ann-lflsh heart desire Her nationality gone
s nopesare crushed her ancient generous race Is be-
Solng extinct She has no fuiure-or II she has, IL is
Mk one A, such time, and under such circuBstances
~ can any government. great and powerful as the Eng
nation in captivity Il
., ms age oil the world thsk IL is generally admit
- .u nal % punish man for political offence, without
~ ons political necessity, is not an act OF justice or
Dut, on the contrary, act OF cruel, use
49, 'ua npoihc vengeance The British government
n o proud and powerful TO stoop TO the wicked weak
Ss o. vengeance. think the present very favorable
on, mo'ns ~ this affair. and for preieuing this re-
49, 4 ne most friendly relations exist al this time be-
eh mls country and Great Britain. There is a strong
ol mutual regard and common interest, and, per
ns, may y add, sense OF common danger uniting the
49, " ooln countries at this moment in close and in
ah., eonneIon. The English people, so far as
are beginning TO appreciate the character, resour
bn institutions OF this country, and TO look with some
rs IKE admiration upon the growth OF this continental
,.s onS Not only England bui the world, begins 10
,,. acknowledge that this nation destined 10 fu
oIh supremacy. America is the predesined mistress
Iii luuie Such is not the condition OF England her
H. Ifeat and powerful England is at this dsy-and
sn, .oIu admits that she - great and poweHu-her cir
n, are such that she will be forced TO compro
49,, WIN ihe future She has power, strength and en-
~ ou her energies msy be said TO be fetiered She is
hs saniess ~ chains Her immense debt constitutes
uro. ans and her letters. The English people are
ous,s ana PATENT They possess great many sterling
sILos-industry, perseverance, and forude but with
,nese qualities, such is the vast load which is now
M ~ng upon them, they will be compelled, in my opin-
.n0.. ~ ae mrs, general couvuson-the first political
h az 49, n "a