Juliet signal., 1862-01-07


make such terms as they might think most
advantageous for themselves Though
they have conceded certain rights to the
Federal Government, tbey..5ave never abb
dicated their claim uf sovereignty, and IL
they have found by experience that Fed
eral Union with the Northern States has
ceased to be conducive TO their interest or
happiness, II is not unreasonable that thew
should desire to be emsncipated from this
connection. Events have proved that thew
cannot be coe-ceo into adhesion to such a
connection.
For my OWE part. confess that I ex-
pected that the NJriherns would have
overrun the South, and wouli have occu.
pied successfully some of its most imports
ant towns but have always felt that the
suhiugation IF the South, in despite of the
viii of its Inhabitants, wouid BE the greats
est calamity that could hefall the Northern
States, because it would probably bring
about a change of the political CT n stitutIon
and would certainly impose upon them an
enormous amount Of taxation. Events
have shown that after campaign Of six
months, no important change has been
made in the relative strength of either of
the eombatants. This is precisely I'll e state
OF things that is most favorable to an ad-
jus.ment, which shall be honorable to both
of !he contending parties. There may be
difficulties in settling the terms Of adjust
ment; but soOdsr o. Later the war mus
cease. and these difficulties will be aug
rhented rather than diminished by the pros
traction Of hostiliIies
If this be the language Of common sense;
do not dsspise it because it comes from an
leland which has for ages been the victim
of misgovertlment. | believe that the Lam
guage which l now bold bespesks the sem
timents Of large majority Of my fellow
countrymen, and there is not amung the
nations OF the earth peoI lie who entertain
towards the United States of America SO
much affection as is felt by the Irish. -
They have not forgotten that they were
received and fostered by the Americans, at
a time when they were driven from their
homes by Epglish misgovernment. and
when their death prescription, end exile
were hailed by England with a shout of
exultation, which was not confined to the
prejudIced masses for whom were written
the memorable words-'The Celts ard
gns. Thauk God, the CeIts are gone
z ne with vengeance" They are even
still reminded that the axultation was
shared and is shared by the leading states.
men of Englani-by Ministers and Vice
rOys who are still in the habit of finding in
| every decrease Of the population of Ireland
a subject Of eongratula,ion.
Ii you make peace with the South there
will be no war with England. Some con-
venient and plaurille lie p7etext will be dis
covered FOR forbe4rihg the affront which
4 has been offered to the British flag. Eng
land would not hesitate to assail you, as
she assailed the Chinese, if your we're uh-
able TO defend yourselves but when she
shall fnd that the shores # America are
to be protected 10y million Of armed men :,
who have proftted by the experience Of at
least one campaign-When she shall find
that every harhor and every river, from
the frontier CT Maine to the extremity Of
! Texas, is about to send out pr ivsteers, ,
which will intercept, even in Australia, the
/ gold-laden vessels of England-when she
recollects that if she places a regiment on
| the borders of Canada a large portion Of
| that regiment will desert to the United
States-when she reflects that il she goes
to war with United America she WILDE met
by 200. 600 Irish soldiers who pant for an
opportunity of avenging the wrongs Of
their race-when she is conscious that S.
/ 100000 of lrishmCn inhabiting an islard
which lies by her side will svmpatbize
| with America rather than with England in
such a strhggle-when she forbodes, with
| gloomy forecast, that the glory of Er gland
| will for ever pass away, and become matter
of history, if ever France aud America
shall unite IN hostility 10 her-when she
/ knows that the ruler Of France is watching,
| like an eagle, for au opportunity to pounoe
upon his prey, and that France will be sup
! ported by the sympathy of spain, and the
gratitude Of Italy, she will be slow to en-
counter these hazards, even in defence of
| the flag that has braved n thousand years
| the battle and the breeze"
For mJeelf circumstances have rendered
me for the present mere spectator of ro-
! litical events, and avow that the restorsS
/ ton Of the legislative Independence of nv
country is the great object to which the ss:
| piratiuns of my heart are directed. Ii is
! part of the creed Of my countrymen that
'Eneland's difficulty is freland's opportu.
nifty" and therefore 7 ought perhaps to
rejoice IN the prospect of war between
England and the Northern States Of Amer
lea, in the hope that it may bring England
| into difficulty but much as desire the
legislative Independence Of ireland,
would not purchase it by encouraging one
section of tie people Of America to destroy
! the other.
Earnestly, then, do pray for cessation
| OF tie fratrac;dal war which now RACES in
! America-and trust that the same kind
Providence which shall coneede to you such
spirit Of reconciliation. will hereafter
yield to US the blessing Of self government,
and render US worthy to enjoy these blessE
ings.
/ have The honor to be, yours very siu-
cerely, WILLIAM S. oBRiKs.