The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-23
The Irish Extles.

three months numerous meetings. have been
held in different parts of the country to induce
our National Administration to ntercede with
Britain in behalf Of O'BRIEN and other lrshmen
now in exile in New South Wales, for crimes
alleged to have been committed against the
British government. Yesterday these express
sions of opinion were presented In concern
trated form by delegations from Baltimore and
Boston, who had an interview for that purpose
with President FILLMORE.
The speech of Dr. CHAisrY, the head of the
Baltimore delegation, presents view of the OBJ
iects of the nor ement and the principal grounds
on which it is based II strikes us, on perusai
of his remarks, that he does Injustice to his
subject, in putting the halfdozeh exiles into
one category, describing their offences as
similar, and their fate equally harsh and unde-
served. He says in effect that their crime is
solely that of having sought to rouse their
countrymen to sense of the degradation and
injustice from which they suffer, and of the
need and practcability of a restoration Of their
long lost nationality. Further than his-Dr.
CHAIsrY affirms-thcy did not go. Now, unless
our memory mslead us, this statement is not ex-
actly true.
1t is undoubtedly true of Mitchell, MARTIN,
and Owe think O'DoNoHoE, who were con-
demned to repatriation for having written and
published appeals offensive to the laws and the
government but a material addition is needed
before it can become true of O'BRIEN and
MEAGHER, who-with MCMANUs, now in Cali
fornia--were condemned for rebellion, having
been found in arms, at the head Of armed peO-
pie, in state Of open hostility to the legal au-
thorities. We do not alude to the differ
ence in the nature of the offences of these
unfortunate men with any view to thwart
efforts made for their relief; but we believe
that nothing can be gained, while much is lost,
by representing all of them as guilty OF but one
offence, and that offence merely an assertion of
the right of free speech, without danger to civil
peace. Let the distinction that actually ex-
lists be recognised, not hidden; let it be admit
ted, that while some were guilty of what is
called sedtion, others were guilty Of what is
called treason; and no exception can then be
taken to any temperate appeal or argument
predcated on these facts.
The Presidents reply appears to US unex-
ceptionabe. 1t embraces the whole of the
points involved, and, while doing honor to his
heart as a man, does credit to his capacity and
clear-sightedness as Chief Magistrate. He no
tces the obvious fact that no essential differ
ence exists between the intervention suggested
in some quarters in favor of the Irish exiles,
and the Intervention advocated in another quar-
ter in behalf of Hungary; and he avalls
himself of the opportunity to repeat his
conviction that the interests Of this country re-
quire rigid adherence to the policy of neutral
ity hitherto pursued towards foreign nations.
We see no way of sustaining our determine
ton to resist and resent any attempt TO NEEDLE
with our internal affairs, except by refusing to
NEEDLE with the internal affairs of other cOun-
tries. Our Government has 40 more right, as
Government, to interfere with Britain in behalf
of O'BRIEN or MIrcHEL-true men though
they be-than the British Government would
have had to interfere with the United States
had AARON BURR been convicted Of the crime
with which he was charged.
We must do Mr.. McGEE-himself an exile,
and most able mantle justice TO add that,
on the part of the delegations, he at once dis
claimed the idea of committing this country To
the course which the PRESIDENT had con
demned. Mr.. McGKE's observations on this
head were frank, and we hope will not be with
out effect on those with whom he has no small
share OF influence.
Although declining to sanction what would
unquestionably be an act Of intervention, the
President did not fail to express his sympathy
with the exiles pleaded for, and his readiness
as an individual to exert himself in all seemly
methods for their relief. In saying this, we
are sure that the President expressed the
feelings Of the great mass of the citizens of the
United States, who, while loving their country
too well TO embroi it in war for causes not
concerning its honor or its welfare, are yet pre-
pared to exert all the moral means they com
mand to secure the freedom, and advance the
well-b being, Of less fortunate communities.