Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-03-11

Among the distinguished strangers who were at
Washington to witness the closing scenes Of the
tbir,y-ffth Congress. we're William Smith O'Brien.
the distinguished Irish patriot and Richard Golden
an English reformer of much celebrity, both Of whom
have but recently arrived in this country for the
purpose Of observing for themselves the working Of
our institutions. With this view, they WILL it is IN
derstOOd, visit the different portions of the United
States to are
The Philadelphia Press furnishes as the follow
ing brief biographical sketches of these gentlemen
William Smith O'Brien is the most distiD guishej
among the many rema kable men, Who asthe leaders
Of the young Ireland party, we're transported 70
penal colonies in ls4S, by the British goTtrBmert,
he is gentleman, not only of arisioerstic but Ct
royal blood, tracing his descent from Brien Borr
KING Of ireland, whose ancestors kings befofo
the commencement OF the Christian era. Early in
life, through family influence he returned o
the British Parliament where, in service Of four
teen years. he dis ingushed for his liberal yiexs
upon all Subjects his devotion TO the interests
Of Ireland aud for the fesressness and Independence
with which he Of opposed The policy Of Daniel 0COn-
nell, whose sincerity aud patri ism he always sus-
peeted. When, hOWever, OConnell, in 1874 vas
imprisoned, having been with others, indicted and
fund guilty upon the charge OF q conspiracy to
subVeTt the British government in Ireland in reviv
lag bis repeal movement in 1888, 0Brien gave him
his sympathy and support and continued 70 act with
him, until the suspicious moderation Of the great
sgitatOr led to the organization Of the more ultra
and radical party Of YouDg Ireland. With this par
ty in the political agitatons which occurred between
lo45 and l648, D Brien was thoroughly identified, /
and with its leaders he suffered the political ven
geance Of the British government Michel, Meag-
her, and other prominent members of the party were
ares ed, prosecuted FIR se1itious language, AMI |
transported as felous O'Brien who had resisted an
arm-d body of police dispatched to arrest him. was
tried upon the charge of high treasou found guilty
and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quarIered /
This senteree was afterwards committed 10 trans
poratOn for life: aud finally, after spending i've or
years in penal colony, be was uneondiIiunaIly |
he has been living quietly without connection with
political sff, irs !
Ri,hard Golden is noUus hOn,u, who has |
gained the distinguished position viii be Oe 1upes
without the advantages of educ ItiOn, and Ct wealth
and the pr estige Of distinguished name which were
e9jOyed by VIM. Smith 0Brien He is the son Of o !
farmer wGs for many years a successful maaufsc-
turer OF cotton prints; and is now Of The most
cOnsI leu Us members Of the British House Of Com
mons. His parliamentary career began 10 1871, and
Finoe that time he has been prominent in all the eff
forts which have been made % ''ibsralise' the Con
stiutiOn and the commercial policy Of England
The Irish patriot and the English ref rmer wilt cd
serve the working of our institutions from different
points Of view but from both may expect opinions
Of our COUNTRY Of people, and Of our system Of
government, more Intelligent and more impartial
than these which are usually formed by British
!, wrists