New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-19
LETTER FROM WIZ. SMITH 0BRLEN

The following interesting letter from this distinguished
Irish exile in reply to the address adopted ct meeting
held in the Broadway Tsberns lie t,e 18Th OF Dec.
lsst, has been handed to Us by Judge Conner, the
secretary Of the meeting. The address, after being
enRroesed and signed was sent 20 Mr.. o Briep, ba,.
by some isdirecton its receipt by hin vas delayed,
which socouns for the length Of time trsnsping be-
tween the adoption OF the address and the receo, Of
his reply As Il is however the reply will be read
with interest, as everything coming from the dstin-
eJished gentleman saerves to be:
GESTIENES: | hsve long de.ired to obtsln suits-
bic opportunity of offering to the Anericso people my
ackpow gmenis for the interest which they have
manifested during tee last six years In regard 10 the
fate as well OF myself of the other lnsh prisoners
who were Unsigned penal exile In Consequence OF
the efforts msde by Us IN l.4s 10 save our country
fiom ruin. The address which has been adopted by
meeting held at New York, under the presidency oil
the chief mag srste of that city gives me this desired
opportunity under circumstances which are peculiar.
y acceptable to my feelings. therefore gladly avail
mytelf of il to assure you THAI, as me syupa'ny
eynced by the citizens OF the United States conulo-
uted in no sht degree 10 cheer and sustain curing
the season Of .eveiest trial 80 my presen. enjoyment
of comparative felicity is greatly enh snced by their
kind congratulations; and | am convinced tnai tns
sentiment shared by my brother e1lles whose isoors
YOU have associated with mine in terms most grstiy
ing 10 me.
Il is not surprising indeed, that 8 nation which won
ire liberties and present prosperity oy successful re-
sistance TO miss government should regard win tavor
the efforts made by kindred people TO escape by sin
liar means from q system Of Inisrule more oppres-
siye more Calling, and more caamiious taan
that which gave occasion TO the American heVouuon
But while success however unmerited, Is generally
greeted with homage, it seldom happens ina, u hce
cone 10 TIE acts or the motives OF those who fall
more especially Of those who fail whoat the glory OF
a struggle. The citizens of the United , a'es have
not founded their Judgment respecting our CONQUER
l...A atadif hv ha Neg IN nd
by the motives which prompted It. For this genef Gus
APPRECIATION am desrous TO Offer on the part OF my
brother exes and Of myself our unieigned
have been rejoiced TO perceive that me meeuhs ~
which your address was adopted WA attended by ma
tive Americans as we'll by Irish refugees. There
no Joint eced with the recent emgr atom from Ire
land to America respecting which have ielt 30 nuch
solctude as the maintenance Of harmony between the
native citizens and tbose OF my ielos-countrynen
who have adopted the United Stses as their home On
the one band I trust that the Irish will never forget
that when they fed in mytieds from their own country
in order 10 escape the manifold disasters whlch sWeed
them there-when they Ted from famine IRON eject
ment from misgoyerLment, from prescription
found in the u tied States land OF refuge, ana were
received with fraternal welcome trust, therefore,
that they will not only evince loyalty 10 the Govern'
ment Of the UDion-that they will rot onysendeavoI
TO deeeTve the title Of useful ard orderly
that they will avoid every proceeding which can
awaken unfounded jealousiee or unworthy preudioes
On the other hand the Americans odgat not 70
forget that in the early struggle by when heir ma
floral Independence was acquired lrishmen bore a
prominent part; that some of their most llustrious
fellow citizens have owed their extraction 10 insn
perentsge; that by Irish labor their forests have oeen
cleared their owns have been built their mines have
been worked their lands have been cultivated, Their
ships have been cons rue,ed, and that If ever the
American Union should need for ls oefense, or ever
for its aegraLdisement, the aid OF bold hearts aud
strong arms it will fnd in the Irsh population tina
hereditary yslor for which they have ever been dstin
guisbed.
/ should trespass beyond the appropriate limits o
this answer if were to give utterance to all that
couo with TO cay upon the present occasion. shall
therefore, only add the expression Of my heartfelt
cesire that the great republic of the West may be
come in each succeeding year more and more deserv
ing Of the admiration of mankind and that its populs
ton may enjoy more and more both the happiness oil
social life and the blessings Of national property.
have the honor 20 he your very faithful servant,
(sisnsd) WILLIAM SMITH OBRIEN,