The Irish standard., 1895-06-08
o'D0NOGHuE OF The GlEAS I.
He Challenged the Late Sir Robert
" Peel ia Duel in 1862.

One of the most memorable incidents
that arose out OF the late Sir Robert
Peels official connection with Ireland
was the challenge he received in 1862
from the O'Donoghue, then M. F, for
Tipperary. 1t had it's origin in a speech
delivered by Sir Robert (at. the time
chief secretary for Ireland in the house
of commons regarding q meeting held
in the rotunda, at which the O'Dono-
gfue presided. The object OF the meet
ing was to protest against the erection
of a statue to the prince consort In Dub
lin. The O'Dohoghue had been fcr
some time one Of the rising hopes Of
Ireland; young, handsome, enthusiastic
and eloquent, with a glamour surround
ing mis- name from his hereditery title
he had been almost a popular idol. The
rotunda meeting gave mortal offense to
the royal family 1t was not difficult to
find materials in the presence of an
Irish audience for uncomp ELEMENTARY ref
erences to the prince consort, who was
credited with the sentiment that Ire
land deserved as little sympathy as the
Poles,' and O'Donoghue's part in the
transaction is believed to have been
never forgotten by the Queen, other
wise he would have been included in one
OF Mr.. Gladstones administrations
The chief secretary was also young,
spirited, eloquent, and little burtnened
with a sense of responsibility for his
words On Friday, 21st February, 1852,
he made a speech in the house of COM
mons, in which he said--"Of the justice
Of the opinion no more remarkable
proof can be adduced than that which
took place the other day when there was
danger of rupture with America, and
Ireland was filled with American ennis
saries who tried to raise a spirit Of dis
loyalty. A meeting was held at the ro-
tunda at which few mannikin traitors
sought to revive the cabbage garden
heroes of 1S48. But am glad to say
they met with no response. There was
gle man." The O'Donoghue having pre-
sided at the rotunda meeting felt very
indignant, and the following morning
he called on Major Gavin Chen member
for Limerick), and requested him to
wait on Sir Robert Peel and demand an
explanation. About IL o'clock the same
day Major Gavin called on Sir Robert
at the Irish Office and said that his
friend felt very indignant at the Ian
guage used, and asked that he (Major
GAVIN should be allowed to convey to
the O'Donoghue that no offense was
meant to him. Sir Robert persisted in
adhering to what he had said. Major
Gavin then asked to be referred to a
friend, and Sir Robert said he (Major
GAVIN should write to him on the mat
ter. Thus Sir Robert found time for
telling the prime minister the turn
things had taken by requiring Major
Gavin to write to him, and loud were
the cheers and laughter when Lord Pal
merston told an eagerly listening house
of commons requested my right
honorable friend to refer to me- The
simple and impulsive Major Gavin fell
into the ministerial trap. He thought,
as he told the much-amused house, that
there was no right hon member who
would so readily respond to anything of
the kind" as Lord Palmerston, and so
the major called upon the prime minis
ter and gravely demanded explanations
of the chief secretary's language.
Lord Palmerston told him what the
rules of the house were. ooh, my lord -
said Major Gavin, eff you take this up
officially it Is no use my taking up your
time any further" The incident was
closed by the O'Donoghue apologizing to
the house for the breach of privilege he
had committed in sending challenge
to brother member for words uttered
in the course of debate.