Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-19
IAN ,ADMtRApLE LETTER.

81 Tia following admirable letter We find IN the col
nmns of the New York National Democrat. Il is,
a. win be observed from the pen of William Smith
O'Brien. one of the most distinguished of unfortu-
nate Irelands sons. 1t contains sentiments of man
" advice to his countrymcn resident in this republic,
which we commend to their calm and reflective con-
sideration = e5-t5
GENTLEMEN have long desired to obtain suit
able opportunity of offering to the American people
my acknowledgements for the interest which they
have manifested during the last six years in regard
to the fate as well of myself of the other Irish
prisoners who consigned to penal exile in con-
sequence of the efforts made by us in 164S to save
our country from ruin. The address which has been
adopted by meeting held in New York, under the
presidency of the chief magistrate of the city, gives
me this desired opportunity, under circumstances
which peculiarly acceptable to my feelings
therefore gladly avail myself of it to assure you that
the sympathy evnced by the citizens of the Uni
ted States contributed in slight degree to cheer
and sustain me during the of severest trial,
SO my present enjoyment of comparative felicity is
greatly enhanced by their kind congratulations;
and am convinced that this sentiment is shared by
my brother exles, whose abors you have associated
with mine in terms most gratifying to me.
1t is not surprising, indeed, that nation which
won its liberties and present prosperity by success
full resistance to misgOvernment should regard with
favor the efforts made by kindred people to escape
by similar means from system of misrue more OPP
pressive, more Calling, and more calamitous than
that which gave occasion to the American revolu-
ton. But while Success, however unmerited, is
generally greeted with homage, it seldom happens
that justice is done to the acts the motives Of
those who fail-more especially to those who fail
without the glory OF struggle The citizens OF the
United States have not founded their judgment re-
specting conduct upon events, but have estna-
ted it by the occasion and by the motives which
prompted it. For this generous appreciation l am
DESTROYS to offer, the part of my brother exiles
and Of myself, our unfeigncd gratitude. ! have
ftoff ho oh
your address was adopted was attended by native
Americans well as by Irish refugees.
There is point connected with the recent emf
grafton from Ireland to America respecting which
have felt much solicitude the maintenance OF
harmony between the native citizens and those Of
my fellow.countrymen who have adopted the United
States their home. On the one hand, trust that
the Irish will never forget that when they fled in
myrads from their own country, in order to escape
the manifold disasters which awaited them there
when they fled from famine, from ejectmcnt, from
disagreement, from proscripton-they found in
the United States land Of refuge and received
with fratcrna welcomes l trust, therefore, that
they will not only evncc loyalty to the government
of the Unon--that they will not only cn'ieavor to
deserve the title If useful and orderly czens-but
that they will even avoid every proceeding which
can awaken unioundcd jealouses or unworthy pre-
judices
On the other hand the Americans ought not to
forget that in the early struggle by which their ma
tional independence was acquired freshmen bore
prominent part that some of their most ilustrOus
fellow citizens have owed their extraction to Irish
parentage; that by Irish labor their forests have
been cleared, their towns have been built their mines
have been worked, their lands have been cultivated,
their ships have been constructed; and if ever the
American Union should need for its defence, even
for its aggrandzencn the aid Of bold hearts and of
strong arms, it will find in the Irish population that
hereditary valor for which they have ever been dis
tinguished.
should trcspass beyond the appropriate limits of
this if were to give uttcrance to all that
could wish to say upon the present occasion.
SHALL therefore, only add the expression of my heart
felt desire that the great republic Of the West may
become in each succeeding year more and more de-
serving of the admiration of mankind, and that its
population may enjoy more and more both the hap
pness Of social life and the blessings of national
prosperity.
Ihave the honor to be your very faithful sv't.,
WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN.
BRUxELLEs 1855