The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-11
AN ADMIRABLE LETTER.

The following admirable letter we find in the columns Of
the New York National Democrat II ia as will be OBJ
served from the pen of William Smith OBriep one Of the
most distinguished of unfortunate lrelands II
ns sentiments Of manly advice TO his counrymen resi-
dent ia this republic which We commend TO their calm
reflective consideration
GENTLEMEN have long desired to obtain a suitable OPP
portunity OF onering 10 The American people my ac-
acknowledgements for the interest which they have mani
Tested during the last six in regard TO the fate
well Of myself as OF the other Irish prisoners who
consigned 70 penal exile 10 consequences OF the efforts made
by us in lsaS to save country from ruin The adj
dress 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 crcum
stances which are peculiarly acceptable TO my feelings
therefore gladly avail myself OF II to assure you that
the sympathy eyinced by the citizens Of the United States
contributed in slight degree to cheer and sustain me
during the Of seyeres trial. my present enjoy
men Of comparative felicity is greatly enhanced by their
Kind congratulations and am convinced that this sent-
rnent is shared by my brother exies whose abors you
have associated with mine in terms most gratifying to
IL is not surprising, indeed that nation which its
liberties and present prosperity by successful resistance to
nisgovernment should regard with favor tue efforts made
by kindred people to escape by similar from
system OF msrle more oppressive, more CALLING, and
calanitous than that which gave occasion to the
American revolution. But while success, however
merited is generally greeted with bosage it scldoms hap
pens that justice B done 10 the acts or the motives OF those
who aimore especially 10 those who fail without the
glory of struggle. The citizens of the United States
have not founded their judgment respecting conduct
upon events but have estimated IL by the occasion and by
the motives which prompted it, For this generous appre
citation DESTROYS to offer, the part Of my brother
exiles and of myself unfeigned gratitude have been
reoiced perceive that the meeting at which your adj
dress adopted attended by native Americans as
well as by Irish refugees. s"M
There IS no point connected with the recent emigration
from Ireland 10 America respecting which have felt so
much solciude the maintenance OF harmony between
the native citizens and those of my ellow-countrymen
who have adopted the United States their home On
the hand, trust that the Irish will forget that
when they fed in myrads from their country, i'll
der TO escape the manifold disasters which awaited them
therewhen they fled from famine, from eectment from
msgoyernment, from proscrption--they found in the
United States land OF refuge and received with
fraterna welcome trust therefore, that they will not
only evnce loyalty to the of the Union that
they will not only endeavor to deserve the title OF useful
and orderly ctzensbut that they will avoid every
proceeding which awaken unounded ealousies
worthy prejudices stHH #.E.as
On the other hand the Americans ought not to forget
that in the early struggle by which their national indie
that Of their most llustrous fellow-czens have
owed their extraction to Irish percentages that by Irish
labor their forests have been cleared their towns have
built their mines have been worked their lands have
been cultivated their ships have been constructed and
the American Union should need for its defence
even ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the aid Of bold hearts and of
strong arms it will find in the Irish population that hered
tary yaor for which they have been distinguished
should trespass beyond the appropriate limits Of this
If 10 give utterance 10 all that could wish
upon the present occasion SHALL therefore only
add the expression my heartfelt desire that the great
public OF the West may become In each succeeding year
and deserving of the admiration Of mankind,
aud that its population may enjoy more and more both
the happiness Of social life and the blessings of national
prosperity
have the honor 10 be your very faithful servant
WILLIAM SMITH O'BRiEN.
BRuxELLEs, 1855.