The Sun. — 1828-10-06 (London, England)

THE LATE AFFAIR AT BA LLIBAY.  (FROM[ OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)  DUBLIN, FRIDAY, ocT._3.  The Catholic Association yesterday was unusually crowded, chiefly in consequence of the proclamation from the Castle, forbidding tumultuous assemblages of people ; and the interest excited to ascertain what. impression it would make upon the Catholic body. Privately the leading Catholics; I know, consider that under the circumstances the LordLieutenantcould not do less. It would be.too great a sacrifice of authority and dignity to consign the pacification of the country to the Association. This pacification, it was known well, would be effected without the interference of the Government. Still, in all reason, the authorities should be allowed to have a finger in the pie. This is the point of view in which all really regard it, however it may be declaimed about in speeches intended for popular effect. Strong proofs have been already given that the South will yield implicit obedience to the advice of the Association alone, and that there will be no more public assemblages of mobs.  The Association yesterday took another decided step towards the pacification of the North. They have recalled Mr. Lawless. A resolution was passed, thanking him for his zeal, &c. and requiring, him to come back and tell Ms proceedings. The plain translation of which is, be is recalled because lie bad not discretion to proceed in a manner calculated to accomplish the objects. O'Connell had a procession—why not Jack Lawless? So Jack, forgetting the North, assembled vast multitudes, and there was, in consequence, near being a conflict at Ballibay, which would have ignited the combustible materials of this country from the Giant's Causeway to Cape Clear. The real circumstances of that affair have never yet come fairly before the public. Both parties were interested in concealing them—the Orangemen that their thirst of blood should not appear too evident—and Jack Lawless that he might not be thought to have been instrumental in the mischief. his despatch, therefore, be called foul and wanton murder an accident-! and the Orange Papers lighty jested upon it as a " taste of their fashion." The fact is, Lawless did not exaggerate When he said that he was followed by above 200,000 Catholics; I have it from a person of unquestionable veracity, and close observation, that there was more than that number. Lawless invoked them to meet him : this was the capital error, the primary source of the evil, and :.this candour obliges me to admit. When the uninstructed people were told to assemble in numbers; what could they think but that something to be accomplished by physical force was required? and what Could the Orangemen believe but that an assault was intended ? The Orangemen, the yeomanry, and a few-of the military of Ballibay, accordingly, on the morning of the procession, prepared themselves for action, and two such parties could not have met without a sanguinary'conflict. My informant, who was mixed with the Catholic procession, and saw every thing that passed, declares that l►e was astonished at the quantity of arms in the hands of the Catholics, and is of opinion that the handful 'of men in Ballibay would inevitably have been sacrificed 'that night had Lawless proceeded. General Thornton has the merit of having prevented him. He met Lawless, and extracted a promise that he would not proceed to Ballibay, When Lawless arrived at the cross roads, one 'of which led to a country chapel, he harangued the people, in order to persuade them to turn and assemble there. They besame outrageous—insisted upon going forward—and threatened to shoot him. His life was saved by a Catholic clergyman, who dismounted under the pretence that Lawless should ride forward with the people in compliance 'with their wishes : he mounted, took advantage of a bye-road, and galloped out of sight in an instant, followed by the execrations of his disappointed adherents. The only prudent thing he did from the commencement of his mission was to run away. The Catholic clergyman who lent him the horse succeeded in dispersing the people; and it was when, they were dispersing and scattered that the Orangemen sallied out from Ballibay, and shot at every one they saw, and murdered some. This be assured is a faithful and impartial account of proceedings which have been represented in so many various lights.