Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-23
GBt Otrmont pbanir.
BRATTLEBORo, VT.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 90, 1856.

The Convention of Irish Delegates from
the United States aud Canada which holds is
sittugs at Buffalo, inaugurate great era in
the history of the Celtic population Of this
country. We have had an opportunity Of
seeing them in every phase Of their social and
political pecuarites, save one, and that We
hope is about being realized. Having passed
through two of the three conditions which
metaphyscians assign rs the transition stages
of the human mind, they are now entering
upon its practical period. The wonder is,
that contact with people so eminently mat
tcr-of-iact as ours, should not have sooner
brought about this change. To every other
race with which our progressive destiny brings
Us in association, we have usually succeeded
in imparing some of our practical aud goa
head spirit. They have either had TO accept
this condition of fusion with Us, or, like the
Indians, to die out, from their inability TO
compete with Anglo-Sdxon energy. As the
Irish, however, are a race proverbially eccen-
tric and hard to kill, we have been compelled
to humor them like spoiled children, awaiting
the effect of time and patience on natures
which we know to be kindly hearted, though
capricous and wilfuL We have acted upon
the advice Of Curran, who, Irishman rs he
was, had keen perception Of the failings of
his couu,rymcn. "Tho Irish" said that bril-
Ian, orator, shave failings that must be fiat
tered, and preiudices aud habits that to be
conquered must be soothed." Some there
were amongst us who, inscnsible to this truth,
advocated, and indeed to a certain extent act
ed upon coercive system of treatment. In
this, however, they betrayed lamentable ig-
norance OF human nature, and more especial
ly of Irish nature. The great body Of the
American people, however, cannot be charg-
ed with this error Their conduct toward.
their Irish fellow citizens has been 10 general
marked by the greatest Indulgence, modcra-
ton and iorbearaucc. The exercise Of these
qualities was unfortunately but too often call
ed for, although it Is true much might be said
on the other side, in the way of excuse. The
Irish, as a nation, are about the worst ndapt-
ed of any that we know Tor amalgamation
with our people. Grattan used TO tell them
that they were not fit for democratical gov
eminent. Certninly our experience Of their
habits and modes Of thought go far to Justify
that opinion. But let that pass. Aswe have
already said, we are entering upon new ex-
pertinent with the Celtic element Until the
success of that is tried, II is not RICH, TO draw
conclusions which may be falsifed by is re-
suits.
The object Of the Buffalo convention is un.
like that of the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid
Society, and OF most other Irish societies in
this country, purely practical and matter-of-
fact one. 1t holds out no attraction in the
shape of a political or religious league, nor
does it captyate the Celtic Imagination by the
prospect of military glory in a raid upon the
English oppressor of the Green Isle Ii vio-
lates no international law, shocks no religious
or political sentiment, and, singular TO say,
purely Irish though it is, is one in which eve
ry right-ihinking and patriotic American can
unite. 10 a word, its purpose is to form an
association of all the Irish resident in Ameri-
ca and Canada, for the ameloraion of the
condition of their poor countrymen now liv-
ing in state Of extreme desttution in the
large cities Of the Union. To effect this, va
nous plans are suggested, all of which, with
some modification of detail and locality, re-
solve themselves into the project of raising
by subscription $500, 900, or If necessary ST.
OOO,0OO for the purchase Of large tract of
the waste lands of this continent, whereupon
Irish immigrants may be settled, and Irish la
bor profitably employed. Such scheme. if
properly carried out would not only be of
immense benefit to the Irish themselves Int
of mcalculable advantage to the country gen.
orally. Ii would consolidate into one spot
the political evils now complained of as nris-
ing from the Irish vote in our large cities, and
would in any case greatly mitigate, if i, did
not altogether remove from our midst, those
of pauperism. IL the Irish will persist in
keeping up an imperium in imperio, and pre-
serving an inveterate nationality in country
where no distinction of religion or race ought
to be recognized, let them do it in a locality
apart, and where they may indulge to their
hearts content all their religious and social
7 tdH themselves
some oasis in the plains of the west, which
will serve to remind them of that green spot
the remembrance of which they seem so fond
I ly to cherish, and in which they win encount-
er none of the antagonistic elements which
have embittered their political history. There
the poetry of the Irish character may be COM
blned with the comfortable realities of Amer.
lean life, if indeed the latter do not eiIectually
extnguish it. There the fun, the frolic, the
eccentricity and the pugnacity which 90 to
make up the Celtic constitution, can have
full SWING, unrestrained by Maine-law re-
strictions or the stern self-denial of New Eng.
land fanatics.
I'VE boxed in Kilkenny, played cards in Tralee.
Broke doors in Belfast and got drunk in Ardee;
we danced at the races and loved at the fairs.
while thinking Of bright eyes and not of our prayers
AND what's that to any one whether or no,
sam fheshin Thin heshin ma 5ouiR shin CO.,