New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-16
IRISH REFUGEES OF IS4s.
ADDRESS TO SMITH O'BRTEN.
LARGE MEETING OF CITIZENS.
Addresses by Charles UCOnor Robert Emmett,
John Mitchell, Thomas Z Meagher, Richard
0GOrman. Michael Doheny, AMI others

Of distinguished others to adop, m address 10 the
Irish Patriot Smith o Brien expressive Of the sd-
mirs,ion which his lofty integrity aud disinteresteI
patriotism ave inspired AID the sincere grasiica-
"tion his resor alton to his family has caused" The
Emerald lsle was largely represented, and Messs.
MEAGHER and Mitchell, who arrived at Il oclosk,
were greeted with prolonged cheers. All the EKles
of 70 now in the City were present-Meagher.
Michel, Richard OGorman, John b. Dillon, John
Savage, Col Doheny, &c. As they took seas upon
the platform they were loudly eheered.
His Honor Mayor WEsTERvELr presided. aud on
taking the Chair was warmly received.
CHARLES O'CoSoR was appointed Secretary. Be-
fore residing the call of the meeting, he mentioned
that the Hon. Robert Emmett who had been ex-
pected was, he feared, prevented from attending By
inois p, ston. Mr.. Emmett was remarkably con-
nected through his family, with the history OF Ire
land that they would all regre, his absence. After
reading the call, Mr.. o Conor continued
Although far removed from the agtsting events
which are now occurring in Europe, still We are not
indifferent observers of them. Those events aro
viewed BY dfercn. individual through different
mediums ard the reeuts looked forward to. With
various hopes. We who have asympathy with ell
hat concerns Ireland. wish that one nation who Is
ergsged in the struggles for supremacy, or
rather, il may be TO held her own, may fad the
worst of it. Cheers. Eogland has been a
dominant power for some hundreds If years,
not go many indeed but that we can count them IL
is scarcely 800 years since the bat of Hastings.
wherein foreign invader made the island his own
If in the cycle of years in its octave there Is now 10
be presented 10 the world, naughty power, humu-
iatec il can scarcely be with the sympathy aud COM
mseTation Of Irishmen. Cheers England, 10 her
hour of prosperity. has never shown KIND
Dess nor generosity, nor consolidated friena.
al md m
adversely she will find few who will view her fall eI
cept with indifference. Cheers. Certain, indeed,
it is. that # she were not now IN trioulauon, We
should not have met here night to congratulate ono
man in having been in some measure freed from her
power 1t has not been through her kindness nor
her generosity, but it has bcea for the purpose OF
thrown cop to the Irish wolf dog. whom she yes
fears may have sirengh enough in this hour to sezs
the rapscious robber by the throat. We Of Irish
descent owe her nothing She has gwen us neither
justice nor clemency. and IL the hour may come
when she will ask it, the que ston then viii be TOR us
70 determine, shall We give it. Cries OF no. no, aud
spplause But enough Of this. This address, which
have the honor and satisfaction of reading will OK
press the sentiments which we IN common must enter
tain for the noble mind TO whom 1t is dedicated
The address, amid enthusiastic applause, was then
read as follows:
ADDRESS TO WIN SMITH oBRIEN
SIR: You have been forbidden to return to the land
of your fathers The State policy which releases you
from painful exile, places you with command not
10 act foot upon it, within sight of tina, island with
whose memories, hopes, and sorrows your own HAYS
been identified.
Yet in the heart Of the family with which you have
been blessed surrounded by the faces that were
sweet light TO you in your more troubled days, and
gratefully acknowledging that Heaven has preserved
them all to you for this festival Of homethough in
foreign cline il be-your Joy to day must be exceed
ing great. The congratulations Of freemen, offered {,
you frum the chief City of America, will not trust
detract from, but increase, the happiness which has
been allotted 10 you now in compensation for much
suffering generously incurred and courageously en-
dured
Nor can we confne ourselves 10 congratulations
merely without Injustice 10 the feelings with which
We contemplate career rendered notable by a singu
lar integrity great industry, disnterestedoess the
most perfect, and heroism which conquered many
iDfueI far more dismayng than the fear Of death
From your first appearance in public life to the hour
in which you looked for the last time the forests
that girdled you in your solitude, your conduct has
been consistent. Truthful generous, fearless at the
outset-the same through many events, it has oon-
tnued to be. Thus i was at the closing scene Of
that bsnshment the hemory OF which will not be
altoge Their sad if teaches men 10 cultivate the vir
tues, the endurance and the dignity by which it WAS
adorned.
Entering the British Parliament at early manhood,
we havelObseryed tina, with correct conscience =
cultured intellect and strong will you literally gave
your time your mind your labor to the faithful dis
deyoyed upon you. Free from the CONSTANTS which
blind addiction to favor.te party imposes, with su
i'm )ulse far nobler than that with which political par
ties usually strive, and morality which scared above
the insncerties and Duigues in which, for the most
part, the game Of politics consists, the world witnessed
il you strange examp eofpropiety and honor, which,
uDItellieibe at first they begin atss to understand
With a clear Judgment studying the necessities aud
the great capacities well the grieyous wants, Of
your country and carrying into public effect the
vicons with which you became impressed, tee people
hailed you with cheers-the echoes OF which have not
yet dled-wben leaving far behind you the teudal
walls within the shados Of which you grew up you
threw-with all the pride, with all the chiyslry, aud
with magnanimty that eLhinces the grandeur OF
your old rece-youf fortunes with that enterprise the
pure purpose Of which survives and sancti6ss the
wreck in which it persisted.
To the circumstance which fOllowed-your trial,
sentence and imprsoomeLt-it is unnecessary to
refer. How that trial has been judged by the public
opinion Of this Repubic-bow that sentence has been
questioned and reyersed-how that imprisonment has
been condemned-you have long since been ada
aware. OF the entire proceedings Of the Government,
through the false practices Of which you became the
victim of its vengeance, the people OF America nave
not ceased to utter their strongest probation.
Though many regrets may mlnge with them, pre-
serve Sir with tranquil satisfaction the rccollestloas
Of your past career; and to the approvsi wnou
conscience well at ease never fails TO giVe rear nos
10 add the sanction, which men, tue 10 Ire .oo
,tamp upon history made memorable BY the picture
il presents Of 20 brave struggle win adyel''. ~
country has reason to bow hef head, when oaS ne
such as yours to contemplate. No cause - Wholly
ost which in its ruin, invites the homage OF gre"
common We lih 10 20 eminent an instance Oh 'tu'n'
fortitude and devotion -. $1,000.
You will receive, Sir, these ASSURANCES OF respect
and scmiro,;on " ith feelings no lees peesursbe than
those with which they have been Oiiered A: the
80 time VIC Are sensible that the satisfaction they
~, =, Afford would be lessened were the CON.
paniors mo shared your captivity and who retrscs
itar steps to happier fortune with you, to be for.
"ot,en II il grateful task we intrus to you, when
We beg that in name, you will greet your gallant