New-York tribune., 1869-05-26
UcoNNELL AND MACHIAVELLL


Europe has lately witnessed two commemora-
tions of remarkable contrast. On the third of
this month the people of Florence celebrated the
fourth centenary of their great author and diplo-
matist, Nicolo Machiaveli. On the 10Th the
people of Dublin saw the remains OF Daniel
O'Connell reinforced under n monument worthy
of their love and his fame. British opinion has
observed the occasion by q general criticism OF
the arch-agtator's life and character The
most ingenious of his detrlctors fail TO
prove that in the twenty years that
have elapsed since his death his char
acter in Irish history has been impaired.
He is still erect in his proper fame rs the father
Of the Irish people, if ever their wayward genius
could be brought 10 acknowledge "a moral
paternity outside of their priesthood. The
one great triumph Of his life, Catholic emanci-
patton, was enough to immortalize this man
who attempted something mightier in his time
than any one of the seven labors OF Hercules.
Those who say disparagingly, that beyond this
his life was a failure, scarcely measure the
breadth of the agitatOrs shoulders, and the
size of the pillars, and tho weight
of the superstructure which ho over
threw by main strength. Neither have
they fairly valued, we think, the effect of that
giant act upon subsequent history. Seldom
could man accomplish two such things in a
lifetime, with a people as hard-headed and inn
placabe as those with whom OConnell had to
deal, and with such weapons of wrath, and wit.
and scorn, rs could be forged out of the burn
ing and defiant wrongs of his country. lie is
charged with having made q useless agitation
for Repeal but the orators iclaim TO renown
must in truth, lpartly rest upon his second
herculean labor. Ho perhaps at times ap
pretended tho failure of his reform, and while
wise enough TO restrain his people from the
sacrifice of themselves lin n fruitless war. knew
that standard policy of agitatorsl which holds
it necessary to aim ut great reform in order
gain any. 0'Connell would have rejoiced to
have had his country righted mt British hands
rather than that an ignorant and disarmed
people should attempt the VAIN task of rightng
themselves. A century ago." remarked one
of OConnells critics, "a Roman Catholic
"was born a political and social serf.n
To-day, thanks not only TO his work but his
light, we enter slowly upon m era of enfran-
chisement and justice. That 0'Connell could
do no more for his people proves less the
limit of the agitator's capacity than the
iudice which he had to encounter rs tho cham
pion of the humblest and simplest against tho
strongest and most arrogant. Along with the
tragic quality of the agtator's life-his tor
rent-like eloquence that made him the very
Demosthenes of some of the greatest and
best mObs the world ever saw-his broad
heart that made him the leader and
the father of the finest peasantry in
the world "-llis vigorous intellect and kngly
authority that brought the world to listen
to him-there was q strange comedy like
the mrth of an overwOrn giant He made his
nation laugh or weep. The powers OF blarney
and invectivc, of honey and thunder, belonged
to this great orator. But the noblest comment
which his life furnished to his own character,
was his hearty and entire antipathy to Slavery
in every form. His high minded scorn OF all
shareholders, his radiant indignation against
African Slavery, have long reflected upon the
unreasoning prejudces of large portion Of
his cOuntrymen. &c.. ..-.
Quite another man, IN every sense, was NicOo
Machiavelli. O'COnnell was an orator and
agitator of extraordinary type. Machiavelli
was even more extraordinary rs political
philosopher and an intriguer In the brilliant
essay of Macaulay is the best plea for the au-
thor of the poisonous philosophy of "The Prince" :"
which has yet been presented to English readers.
Not that excellent plea, nor the general tribute
of literature, nor the monument which Earl
Cowncr. in the name of admiring Englshmen,
has erected to him, nor the celebration which
the FIorentines have just held. are sufficient,
we think, to excite the genuine reverence ana
deep esteem of this mans memory 1t Is