The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-27

witnessing, 1t would have the effect of check
ing, in degree, the accidents arising from the
causes that We have pointed out
New IRISH MoySsEET-LooK Our.-H will
be seen by some resolutions and an address
emanating from body calling itself the "Great
State Convention of lrishmen in Massachusetts,"
that movement has been set on foot by the
Irish party in this country to establish platform
which will unite all sections Of that divided
race. The organization of this association
shows greater degree of administrative skill
and prudence than is generally displayed by
our Hibernian friends in the management of
their affairs The system of representation
seems to be strictly carried out in its arrange
ments. Fifty-hve towns in the State sent dele
gates to the convention; besides these there
were twenty-five delegates from local societies
whose credentials were disputed, and twelve
invited guests, representing seven States. The
number Of names enrolled upon the books of
the association is said to be about four thou
sand, so that the new association already Of
fers the semblance if it has not the substance,
Of powerful political body. One feature in
its constitution is worthy Of note, inasmuch as
it shows that even Irishmen can learn some
thing from the lessons of experience. The
Directory of the new organization, who are all
said to be wealthy and responsible men, are
obliged to give bonds to return the money
raised for the objects of the association to the
subscribers, in case it shall not be employed for
the purposes for which it is designed We
trust the guarantee will be found an effective
one
The professed motive Of this new organiza-
ton is to profit by the advent of O'ConnelPs
long promised era Of hope, "when England's
difficulty would become Ireland's opportu-
nifty" That time, it is contended by its origi-
majors, has at length arrived-the troubles and
embarrassments of Great Britain appearing to
have reached favorable degree of complica-
ton. Without questioning for a moment the
justice or generosity of such a movement at
such crisis, we may be permitted to express
our doubts whether, instead Of being at hand
the time has not already passed when reasona-
bic hopes might be entertained Of its success
We do not believe that the elements could
now be found in Ireland to second any flibus-
tering attempt that might be made from this
side. The circumstances of the country,
the material condition of its people, and
five are well Informed, even their political
sentiments towards England, have underground
sensible change within the last few years.
They have lost all confidence in brawling
agitators and red revolutionists, and they are
contented to accept in good faith the ample
though tardy concessions which the progress
Of liberal ideas has forced from the English
government
1t may be that the gentlemen of the Mas
sachusetts convention are ignorant of those
facts, although we cannot we'll see how any
one can be 80 who has been an attentive OBJ
server Of Irish events for the last few years
If, as we suppose, they are as we'll aware of
them as ourselves, it argues greater degree
Of recklessness and folly than we had given
the Irish revolutionists credit for to initiate a
movement which can only be attended with
disappointment and modification to its leaders,
and perhaps with serious injury to the cause of
civil and religious liberty in Ireland.
These results are so evident to the most un-
rejecting mind, that on reading the pro-
gramme of this association we could not help
asking ourselves, if under the cover of this
visionary project, there did not lay concealed
some practical scheme with objects having re-
ference to the position Of the Irish party in
this country. What powerful nucleus such
an association would form for an organization
intended to control our elections and TO neu-
tralize the antagonistic influence of the Know
Nothing party! We do not say that such is
the intention Of its founders, but it is no great
stretch of probabilities to suppose that failing
in its professed object, this new association may
be easily diverted to mischievous interference
in our home politics, and to the widening still
further the breach which the agitation of such
sectional interests has already made between
the Irish and the native American parties. In
any case we require to be on our guard.