The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-11-15
DANIEL O'CONNELL.
Two important Ep.sodcs In the Life os
tho Irish LiOerutor.

Two important Ep.sodes In the Life os
tho Irish LiOerator.
Daniel O'Ccnncll was born in IT'S,
and was sent TO France TO be educated,
as was the custom at the time among
Catholic irish families. at tho age OF
20 he wrote to relative concerning
his future plans: II have now two
objects to pursue-the one the attain.
ment of knowledge; the other the 49,
QUESTION of all-tisose qualities which
con-.;tuto polite gentleman. am
convinced that the former, besides the
Immediate pleasure which it yields, is
calculated to raise me to honors, rank
and fortune, and ] know that the
'latt,r serves as a general pass
port or first recommendation; and
rs for the motives OF ambition
which you suggest, assure you that no
man can possess more Of it than do.
| have, indeed, a glowing and, if !
may uso the expression, an enthusi-
astic ambition, which converts every
toll into n pleasure and every study
into an amusement Though nature
may have given mo subordinate tai
ents, mover will DO satisfied with a
subordinate situation in my profession.
No man is able, am aware, to supply
tho total deficiency of abilities, but
everybody is capable of improving and
cnlarging n stock, howeve. small, and
in its beginning, contemplate. 1t is
this reflection that affords mo most
consolation. Ii do not riso ut the
bar will not havo to meet tho re-
proaches of. my own conscience"
The young man understood himself
well. His success as q lawyer was ex-
traordinary. Before lie. had been prac-
ticing Ave years he had within his
reach law business that would have
brought him an income Of $50, 900 or
800, 900 year. But he had not fore
seen that ho was born political gladi-
ator, and that tho oppression of Irish.
men and the miscries of Ireland would
constitute the ono great cause of his
career.
When O'Connell took up the Irish
question many of his follow Irishmen,
like himself, were under u religious
and legislative yoke. They were for
hidden even to hold real property.
The agitator lived to.sco somo of the
worst disabilities removed, and this
largely through his own inccssant
efforts. His parliamentary tactics were
much tho same as Parnell's-he may
be said to have Invented them He
was elected to Parliament in 1923, and
was the first Catholic Irish member
after the revolution. The emancipa-
ton act received the royal signature
in 1920.
parliament F, Katsa q Ssshas 9,SSs. sgsIss
tory with MI members. atNthe time
His first appearance in the house of
commons is thus described: Tho ex-
element was -intcnse; breathless
silence prevailed in that crowded as
scmbly when O'Conncll was intro.
duccd by Sir +. Burdett and Lord
Duncannon. The speaker then in
formed. him Of the resolution Cf the
house on tho previous night-that he
could not take his scat unless he took
the cath prescribed at the timc he was
elected. The liberator then said:
May / ask TO sec tho oath2" The
clerk was directed to hand him the
oath, which was printed on large
card. O'Conncll put OH his specta cllcs
and peruscd the oath with deepest at
tcntion. One would suppose hc had
never seen tho oath before; during the
few minutes hc was so perusing it the
smallest pin could be heard drop.
He then said: Il SEQ in this oath one
assertion as to matter of fact which
know to bo false, I see in it another
assertion as to a matter of opinion
which believe to be untrue. There
fore refuse to take that oath" and,
with an expression of the most pro-
found contempt ho flung the card
from him on tho tablo of tho house.
Tho house was literally struck OF n
heap. No other phrase that know of
but that quaint, old fashioned one can
accurately describe the feeling of
amazement that pervaded parliament
for some minutes after tho card was
thus contcmptuously flung on tho
table. The speaker then said: "The
honorable and learned gentleman
having refused to take the oath, will
please retire below tho bar" and the
Liberator, again leaning on Burdett
and Duncannon, camc below the bar
and sat near me under the gallery. In
the debate that cnsued the speakers on
all sides paid him tho highest compli-
mcnts, but it ended in tho issuing of a
new writ for Clare. Detroit FREQ
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