The Irish standard., 1896-06-06
Sketch of the Career of One OF
Ireland's Most Earnest
ts
AO0'
Born, Reared and Educated An,
Aristocrat, Yet Was True -. -;
tF .gssi s~sr rt-ijst
to His Race. ss,s. zs5ss 2s3.a.s,.' i. .4,'1. !.
Sentenced to Death by Decapita-
tion and Finally Granted
Full Pardon.

William Smith O'Brien was the son of
Sir Edward O'Brien, Dromoland, County
Clare, and was 45 years Of age when the
outbreak occurred in '4S, says the Week
ly Independent His family We're in di-
rect descent from the O'Briens of Kin
cora, a race that had given many a
doughty champion to the Irish cause.
lie was educated at Harrow and at Cam
bridge, and this English training, to-
gether with the modern politics of the
family and the society in which he moved
tended at first to make him anoppSnent
Of the National demand. When O'Con-
nell contested Clare in the famous elec-
tion where the rights of Catholics to sit
in the English parliament without being
subjected to an insulting oath, were vim y
dicated, O'Brien was one of those who
asked the voters to reject him. O'Brien
had previously entered parliament as an
opponent of repeal, and for many years
used all the influences at his command to
contrary to his expectations, Catholic
emancipation brought no relief to the
people, the voice of Irsland's representa-
tives passed unheeded. England gov
esned Ireland in a manner which outrag-
ed even the most elementary principles
Of constitutional government. Aristocrat
Drie md hcrohfv and
proud and cold though his nature, the
Irish leayen was too strong Within him
for blind allegiance to the insolent rule
that wrought havoc amongst his fellow
countryrnen After a long silence he
suddenly started his fellow aristocrats,
and gladdened the hearts of the people,
by denouncing this system of goyefn-
nent, and proclaiming himself as con
verted to repeal. In announcing the
reasons for his remuneration OF the doc
trines Of his class, he says:
"The feelings of the Irish nation have
been exasperated by every species of irri-
tation and insult; every proposal tend
ing to develop the sources of our industry
to raise the character and improve the
condition of our population has been dis
countennnced, distorted, or rejected. Ire
land, instead Of taking its place as an in
tegral part OF the great empire, which the
yalor Of her sons has contributed to win,
has been created as dependent province:
and at this moment, after IL years OF
nominal union, the affections Of the two
nations are SO entirely alianated from
each ether, that England trusts for the
maintenance of their connection, not TO
the attachment of the Irish people, but
to the bayonets which menace our bos-
ons and the cannon which she has plant
ed in all our strongholds"
O'ConneH hailed O'Brien's accession 10
the National ranks with JOY. IA,
Il find it impossible,' he said, TO give
adequate expression to the delight with
which [ hail Mr.. O'Brien's presence in
the association. He now occupies his
natural position-the position which cen
turies ago was occupied by his ancestor,
Brian Boru. Whatever may become OF
me, it is a. consolation to remember that
ireland will not be without friend such
as William Smith O'Brien, who, combin-
ing all the modern endowments Of a
highly cultured mind with intellectual
gifts of the highest order nervous elo-
ouence, untiring energy, fervid love Of
country and every other high qualih-
cation of popular !eader, is now where
his friends would wish to see him at the
head Of the Irish people
But his connection with the great tri-
bune was short lived. -He worked as an
ardent and loyal member Of the repeal
association for a few years, and when
O'Connell, allied to the Wings. sought TO
crush the young ireland party, O'l3ria1!
~ nJ.tcpnl-nr aGlvOP5tnS Tor
peace. O'Conne1l. goaded OH by his mar
rcw-minded and vainglorious son, would
not have peace. However, before intro
ducing the famous resolution condemning
physical force, he attempted to detach
O'Brien from the Young Ire,anders, who
refused to subscribe to the degrading
doctrine. The attempt was a failure, and
on the Introduction Of the obnoxious res
oIutions. o'Brien headed the recession
from the association. Z.
The story of the revolutionary move
.ment has already been told. To meet
the demands Of the people the English
government offered coercion-that pan
acea for all the ills OF our country is heir
to. and other penal enactments The
French revolution occurred, and O'Brien
formed one of the deputation appointed
ia present the address of congratulation
to the French people. On his return
from Paris he called at the house Of COM
mons, OF which body he was still a mem
her. and found them discussing the crown
and government security bill the object
pf which was the suppression Of
the irish confederation and the
suspension Of the habeas corpus
act In the course of the debate
OBr;en was charged with d:sloya!ty and
treason, and amid an indescribable scene
of disorder and tumult he rose to repel the.
accusation a...s "a I ].
81 have been called a traitor" he said.
nst.But If it is treason to profess disloyalty
10 stl,is House and to the government Of
ireland by the government Of Great
Britairl--if. that be treason, I ayow the
treason. Nay, more I say it shall be the
study of my l.fe to overthrow the domin-i
,::ou Of his parliament over Ireland. ! tel:
the house more now that i am to be ar
.raigned as crlimina that would gladly
accept tie most ignom:n nious death that