The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-18
Golden and O'Brien.

Two distinguished strangers are now pres.
ent i'll Washington City, to witness tue clos
ing scenes of the thrty.fifth Congress, be-
fore commencing extended tours through
Canada and the United States-Wiam
Smith O'Bren, the distinguished Irisi, pa-
trlot, who arrived in tho Prince Albert, at
New York, where he was honored with an
enthusiastic public reception; and Richard
Golden, who arrived in the Canada, at Bos
ton, where no one knew that he was con.
temp'ating visit TO this country. The Oh.
Ject OF both Of these distinguished gentle.
men, in coming to this country, is to see
1t for themselves, and observe for themselves
the working Of our institutions and with
this design, they have both gone to Wash
lngton, to look at Congress Of tho United
States before the session expires.
William Smith O'Bricn is the most dis
tlnguished among the many remarkable
men, who, as the leaders of the young Ire.
land party, were transported to penal colo.
mes IN lS4s, by the British govemment.-
tie Is a gentleman, not only Of aris;ocrat C.,
but OF royal blood, tracing his descent from
br'en Boru, King of Ireland, whose ances.
tors were kings before tho commencement
OF the Christian era. Early in life, through
family influence, he was returned TO the
British Parliament, where, in service of
fourteen years, he was distinguished for his
liberal views upon all subjects, for his devo-
tlon to the interests of ireland, and for the
iearlessncss and independence with which
he opposed the policy of Daniel O'Connell,
whose sincerity and patriotism he always
suspected. When, however, O'Conncll in
1914, was imprisoned, having been with
others, indicted and found guilty upon the
charge of a conspiracy to subvert the Brit.
'sh government in Ireland, in rcviving his
repeal movement Of 1888, OBrien gave
him his sympathy and support, and con
tinned to act with him until the suspicious
moderation of the great agitator led
to the organization of the more ultra
and radical party of Young Ireland.
With this party in the political agitations
which occurred between lS45 and l84S,
O'Drien as thoroughly identified, and with
its leaders he suffered the political vcnee-
ance Of the British government Mitchell
Meagher, and other promnet members OF
the party were arrested, prosecuted for sedi-
tious language, and transported as feons-
OBrien, who had resisted an armed body
OF police dispatched to arrest him, was tried
upon the charge Of high treason, found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged, drawn
and quartered. This sentence was af e.
wards commuted to transportation for life,
and finally, after spending five or six years
in penal colony, he was uncondlionaly
pardoned and permitted to return to Ireland,
where ho has been living quietly without
connection with political affairs.
Richard Golden is a man novus horau,
who has gained tile distinguished position
which he occupies without the advantages
of education, and Of wealth, and the pres
tige Of a distinguished name, which were
enjoyed by VIM. Smith O'Brien. He is
the son OF farmer; was for many years a
successful manufacturer of cotton prints :
and is now one of the most conspicuous
members of the British House of Commons.
Ills parliamentary career began in 1871
and since that time he has been prominent
in all the efforts which have been made to
liberalise" the Constitution and the COM
mercial policy Of England.
The Irish patriot and the English refor.
mer will observe the workings Of our ins,i.
tutions from different points of view, but
from both we may expect opinions of our
country, of our people, and Of our system
OF government, more intelligent and more
impartial than those which are usually form
ed by British tourists.-Augusta Constitu-
| tionalist.