Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-30
sympathy with the Sepoys.

The whole civilized world has stood aghast at
the unprecedented cruelties perpetrated by the
demons of India upon the defenceless European
women and children WHO have fallen into their
hands. These enormities have been so shocking
to humanity, and to decency itself, that the puo'
lie press, which cannot be accused of fastidous-
ness in this respect, has abstained from publish
ing some of the details. Yet with these things
fresh in the public mind, political animosity to-
wards England has so far overcome the better
feelings of human nature that portion OF the
Irish citizens of New York have held meeting
''to sympathze with the Sepoys." The meeting
was held on the 18th inst and the leading spirit,
q Mr.. Doheny, declared that "the cause of India
was the cause of Ireland" This statement, if
true, says g contemporary, would prove the cause
of Ireland atroeious. We are gratifed to learn,
however, that neither Meagher nor Mitchell,
both of whom were in New York, participated
in the meeting, and we would fam hope that the
Irish heart generally viii revolt at these infa
nous proceedings.
But the most remarkable circumstance con-
able Virginia journal defends the meeting, and
palliates without, indeed, justifying, the horrid
crueltieS of the Sepoys. ave have already said"
remarks the paper alluded to, THAT our only re-
gret about this matter arises from the improba-
bility of the final triumph of the insurgents. p
Such sentiment is worthy Of universal condem-
nation. The writer of the article quoted from,
has no 'regret" on account of the violated and
slaughtered females, refined and delicate though
they were-of the helpless infants murdered by
inches, with a refinement of cruelty unriyaled in
the worlds history--of the brave men, husbands
and fathers, who were reserved as the last VIC
tins. that their torments might be protracted
and aggravated by witnessing these transae-
tons but his ''only regret" is that "the insur-
gents" are not likely to secure for themselves q
fanciful national independence!
We honor the Richmond Examiner for its
hearty denunciations Of The New York meeting,
and echo all it says on the general subject. The
Irish sympathisers have committed folly in
fnitely more damaging to their own reputation
for good sense and good feeling than injurious
to the character of the government they execrate.
We need not stultfy ourselves says the Exam
iner, by initiating the example of Exeter Hall,
and calling upon England to emancipate the
Hindoos, before we of the South have made up
our minds to emancipate our slaves. When the
arrogant Englishman condemns our annexation
Of Texas and territorial robbery" of Mexico,
we may retort upon him the cases of Dude, the
Pupjab and Scinde, as q sufficient refutation OF
his self.stutifying morality, without going the
extrayagant length OF denying to his govern
ment rights of conquest which have been prac-
tically acknowledged for three centuries by all
the governments of christendom. The British
empire in India may have been founded in wrong
and outrage, but relations are now established
which cannot be disturbed without serious in-
Jury and injustice. The sway of Britain over
India is as rightful in its origin as our dominic