Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-04
SMITH OBRlEN On THE AMERICAN WAR.
The following letter, addressed by VIM. Smith O'Bren
Mr. Richard 0Gormsn appears in the Dublin NdliO',


The following letter, addressed by VIM. Smith oBren
10 Mr. Richard 0Gormsn, appears in the Dublin Nao'I,
of June 2lst
KILLlSEY, CouSrY DUBLIN, June IS, 1862
Nv Dear 0 German In common with all true friends
Of the American people, continue to regard with hor.
ror the nernecne war which lie desolatng the States OF
America. The brutal aud disgusting proclamation which
has recently been promulgated by Gsn. Butler, at New
Orleans reaz TO our imsgnations the worst features
OF this struggle. Have you and your friends at New
York calmly asked yourselves when and how this con-
tention is TO endt impore you, in the name Of hu
manity TO east aside the lueioDs With which coca
sona triumph fills the minds OF the Northerners and to
consider whether il is possible that you suojug4te
the South and whether. if il were possible, such subju
CATION ought 10 be deed by the lovers Of free institu
tons You know that am not an advocate OF slavery
you know that deeply depored the secession and con-
denim those who provoked IL. | may add also, that /
would have reoced if the secession could have put
down a. its commencement by the authorities OF the Re-
pubc-n they had been supported and assisted by
msiority Of the inhabitants OF the SCuthern States
but ever since the battle Of Bull Run, have felt tha
Tor good for evil the secession has been al accom-
plished fact tan fat dccOmp't) and that an attempt 10
bring together again by force the discovered members Of
thi Republic, would only produce Disasters greater
an those which would result from breaking up the
Union into several sections. The progress OF the war
h,4 col ffmed these convictions. Trumphs have indie
q
out what evidence be brought forward 10 prove that
any impression has been made in support OF the Unon
upon the mnd, OF the S0utherns by these tTumpbsr
S 10. call hem cDnqH't' because The Federal armies
have conquered ground except that upon which they
slaud Tue has brought 10 all parties tue mus cosg
-acnfoCs but it appears 10 have left the minds OF ne
contenJng sections Of the population 10 sy1e Of
more intense evaporation against each othT thbn
.iisted at the commencement vi the last r7uggle --
Nor ought you 10 forget that mauy O our yui'
Ia America ut this moment violating hoes rights oil
silt government which they wish 10 appt 10 Europe, ROT
olly ~ Ireland but also to Poland y Hungary TO We
na and even 10 the Ionian Isles The statesmen OF
E1sland say that the goyernm"t OF theso Islands by
Engsnd il liley better thaOAny eo'ernment could be
which would depend upon dreece let the lonan
auders continue TO dCca, year AFTER year. that they
desire be incorporated with ihe Kingdom OF dreece
rain, than 10 he protected" by England and ali the
friends of freedom mink that they ought 10 be aosed
20 choose for yourselves in regard TO such question
ia Ike mauuer me Inhabitants oil the Southern states o
America may OF may hot act very un~isely Ia desiring
Ia "a estat Lsh Tor themselves independent U0Diede
r.cy but no one can doubt that such Is their deli
Lerate choice aid, this being the case, TO attempt
[, coerce them against their will into connection
.lh tho Northern States is violation vi the right
Of stlf -goycrnment-is, In fact, tyranny Has
not he time arrived when calmly judging men, such
~ you, can exercise medistoral IL hdenct' Tue au
hUr,tiea at Washington compelled to follow rath,r
tbsn To lead public opinion upon lhis upoa all other
occasions You, individually, could render greater
service humanity than that which you will confer by
ii 1t converting III, diatoria committee at New York,
aud 10y subs queully inviting mass meeting TO proclaim
is opinion ia favor OF ali amciblo adjustment OF d!hr
euces Oh terms which sha be consistent with the honor
aud security OF all sections Of the American people
Above and be Youd all other considerations beware Of
iorrcu intervention" OF you will understand
tia mean by this armed Intervention, not friendly
IN dat Oh. From the day which foreign arms shall
~ al. A
dignity Of both the Confederate and Federal States will
Ls lo4l forever.
Believe Int, my dear friend yours most sincerely.
WN. OBMIE