The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-24

to John for the occasion. Thus provided, the |
invading host cannot fail to bestow freedom on
Ireland and drive the base English" from its
shores.
We have no information on the progress of
the Alabama plantation and the fat negroes;
and can say nothing as yet OF this branch Of
the fund. The otber-that Of the Irish
Diyctory-is we are happy to say safe
and snug. 1t was originally If we re-
collect right, some forty-fve thousand dollars
but the expense OF sending agents to Australia,
and using other means for the liberation Of
illustrious Irish patriots from their imprison-
ment there on parole, has reduced it to some
s25 600. This sum we understand is invest
ed in United States stocks, and held in the
name or under the control Of two trustees
Judge Emmett, and Mr.. McKeon The inter-
est is each year added to the principal, and
it seems probable that the fund will soon
amount to sum sufficiently considerable to
enable the first effort to DO made for the liberia
ton Of Ireland. Smith O'Brien, as our readers
are aware, being foolish man with queer
old-fashioned notions Of honor and integrity,
refuses to break his parole, even for the accom-
plishment Of SO high purpose as the liberation
of his country by means Of Alabama planta-
tioDs and fat negroes. But, whatever he may
think, we are sure that q discriminating public
will applaud this scheme Of john Mitchel's
Every body must see now that all the solutions
which have been offered to explain that very
remarkable confession Of faith of his on the
ovo ~ &ho hat
it was his excess of patriotism which induced
him to wish for Alabama plantations and fat
negroes, and nothing more.
We acknowledge our Indebtedness to that inn
mortal Punch Of ours, the Pick, for this disco
very. The Pick deserves even higher position
than the Courier DIES Etats Unis which has
recently astonished the world with the secret
plans and projects of the Emperor of all the
Russias in the dockyards Of New York.
THE BANK SUPERINTENDENT AND Hrs DoINGs-
Whatever may be said of Mr.. st. Johns con-
duct in winding up the Merchants and Aechan-
les Bank Of Oswego, it is very clear that after
this instance of rigorous severity, the public
will not be satisfied with prolongation Of the
IMMUNITY which other similar institutions have
enjoyed. There are many banking associations
in this State whose circulation is more than half
covered by bonds and mortgages instead of State
or United States securities, and whose affairs
are quite as loosely conducted as those Of the
Merchants and Mechanics Bank WERE To Sc
lect out of q score or two Of banks one only,
and wind it up with very slender regard for
the interests of the stockholders, is not the way
to put an end to similar frauds on the public
Such proceeding looks more like an attempt
to blind the public by a sudden affectation of
severity than the commencement Of crusade
against sham banks Many people will think
that the sacrifice of the Merchants and Mechan-
ics' Bank may possibly be intended as cloak
to the tolerance of other institutions even more
unsound and more disorderly in the manage
ment of their business. This suspicion would
gain ground if the rumor were generally re-
ceiyed that the Superintendent Of the Banking
Department Of the Comptroller's office is him.
self concerned with several of the parties who
get up these sham banks.