Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-14


into the consideration oil this question Let as suppose
that in 1882, the Irish patriots had learned that, In
stead of the amicabe adjustment which then took place
by concession OF the demands of Ireland, the British
ministry had appointed Lord Lieu eDant IN Ireland
who would undoubtedly have flied all official stations
with Engshmen, with Irisbnen who were opposed
to the national nterests-wouId Muagher have re-
preached them if they had male the appointment Of
such Lord Lieutenant cHSnS beL1 and had subject
ed to the arbrament Of the sword the questions that
were then at issue between England and Ireland p
Neither s Mr.. Toombs TO be blamed Tor having taken
into account this element in considering the relations
between the Southern aud Ottern States OF America
Equally unreasonable are the reproaches with which
the Souherners have been aS5aed because at the time
of the secession they took possession OF the forts and
arsenas which were situated in the Southern territory
These forts and arsenals belonged much to she
Souherners to the Northerners, and the secession
naturally gave to tie NOrherners the arsenas and
dock yards which were situated Ia the Northern Sta+es
so 1t gave 10 the Souhernels those which ale situated
in the seeding States. If the Irish Instruction OF
1S49 had been succ ssiu would not General Meagher
have laughed TO scorn any one who should have re
proacltd him Tor taking possession OF spike Island be-
cause it called by the English a British fort.
Fort Sumter stands ia relation to Charleston in posi-
lion exactly similar to that which IS occupied by spike
Island n relation to Cork
Lit it not be supposed however, that write these
peges with view justify the Secession When
tour Ill the Southern States Of North America
in 1859 earnts IL mplored my Southern friends to
the dsa Of separation, which could not fail
TO be disastrous to them, veil the whole Of the
Republic When | learned that, instead OF endeavor-
ing 10 obtain redress for real imaginary grievances
by peaceful negotiations, the forces of South Carolina
had fired upon Fort Sumter | thought it extremely
natural that the inhabitants of the Northern States
should meet force by force in the maintenance of the
Union MIR. Il. W Beechor asked an auditory in Lon
don last week whether EngsLmen would ought TO
tolerate the secession Of Kent from the political unity
which holds together the several counties Of Eng
land | answer without hesitation that such seces-
son ought to be prevented by force whilst Kent enjoys
equality Of CUTS with the other inhabitants of Britain
and though | maintain, speaking theoretically, that
South CarlIina or Maine erjDys right to withdraw
from he Union, yet, a practical question, it is not
ural that the other members Of the United States
should endeaVo to preTent by tore secession which
may be Injurious to the whole Union. But since, after
suc2C Of bloody engagements, it has been seen
that what appeared first to be the whin of a single
State ID the deliberate resolve of several millions of
peOple-silce it has been that, though conending
under many difficulties and disadvantages, the Southern
leaders have displayed more able craftsmanship and
skilul strategy than have been exhibited by their
adVersares-wbeu il is manifest that they possess all
the qualifications which render paOpe fitted for self
goverlnent--an attempt to them into enforced
sofoci0n becomes nothing less than upjustifable and
intoerabIe tyranny A the time when, Ill 1861 ad
dressed litter tits subject TO Mr. Seward, it was
said BY the N0Ftherns that the would be
Terminated ia three months; yet now, alter
the lapse of thirty mouths, it is doubtful
whether Washington is not exposed to great,
langer than is to Do apprehended by Richmond or
Charleston and although the NorheTDs hold military
occupation Of many important posts IN the Southern
territory they DO appear to ha recO1cied to their
dOminon any important section Of the Inhabitants OF
the rcv0lted States. The question, therefore, recurs
which put to Mr.. Seward il 1861 Assuming that
you will, sooner later, conquer the Southern States,
hoW do you propose TO govern them 1t you leave to
them The rights Of seltgoveynmont. which they have
hitherto enjoyed they Will he dangerous to you
unwilling associates than they could lie in the guse
Of open enemies There romans, therefore, DO other
policy by which these territories be governed
capt that which formerly adopted by England to-
wards Ireland and which practiced in Poland by
MOuravef aud Berg, under the sanction and approval
o. the yrart Alexander. This is tie policy CT confs
cativn devastation and determination. That lean and
hungry advenurers should cOve the rich possessions of
the Southern planters, and urge forward system OF
consca ion ard determination which will resemble the
antaion Of Ulster and the cTueitle8 Of Cromwell, s
eXtrCme natural but it is a spectacle painful and
humiiating to all lovers OF freedom to Qd one Of the
representative Of the Irish race-hinsot an exile
and Cathoiic--vndicatipg Of policy similar
to that which expelled the natives Of Ireland from their
possessions ard tom their homes
| have spent much time in aDajysing the letter of
General Meugher because although it is addressed to
private friend it was evidently written an appeal
to the public opinion OF this county. Though it is
Overaden with cumulative eplthets OF decamatory M
vectlye it is production which has evidently been
prepared with and deserves deliberate response.
IL lhis respect it contrasts fvoraby with az election
qGio recently addressed by Mr. Meagher to tl3 electors
OF Ohio in opposition TO the CLAIMS OF Mr. Naandig-
ham, in whose person all the rights wLica belong to
free ciiz2n have been violated. Sad ind ed, is It to
ne to find that cur cOuradG, who the cham
pon OF human liberty, has enlisted himself The de-
tender OF every sort OF tyraunicai usurpatlonI. L.
Meagher, the you0g tribune, the champion of bis
counuy8 freedom, has become the advocate OF system
of Government which carries into effect its policy
By eu8pe1ding the writ Ut hI6eGS corpus and there
by suhjectDg the personal liberty Of every citszen OF
the United tatts to the caprice OF single ruler Of his
miniong.
By corGing into the ranks OF the Federal army,
through the iIstrumentaity Of cOnscr ptl0n, all who
cannot afford purchase Their dejiyerance by enor
NOUS ransom and ty driving, under the terror of mil
itary executoG unwilling colscrpts into field Of battle
where they perish for which s not sanctioned
by ice approval OF their own consciences
By sapc:s21ng the rights which, under the constitu
ton Of the Uncl safes were guaranteed to eacn ia
dividual Slate.
Lastly by lracrnjs;ng with the tyrant ol Russia,
who is tits moment engaged ia carrying into efe5t
SUCH system of measures agains the noble Polish na
ton as has won Tor him. and for all who abet him. the
eXeCratiCn Of mankind.
Alas that we Should ever have witnessed each back.
sliding the part Of al Irish patriot If such be the
results of Republican freedom go caed) in America,
shall s00a iarn - be rgccn4i3l TO the worst forms
of European dcapotjzm.
How dI2 'cnt career lay open IL our f. lend. Pos-
se2sing the love and confidence OF several millions OF
Americans, native we'll az Irish born, he might have
applied his persuasive dcti0n to restoration of peace
instead oil urging these millions to fling their sons into
the fire which burns before the altar of Mooch.-
He might have taught the Canadians to look to Amer
lea for model of political Institutions and Tor an ide
n ~, H.,