the proceedings connected with Smith O-Brien from those nearest to the scene, who had no intention certainly to deceive us; and so far as we have yet ascertained, they have been as near accuracy as in such times it is possible to be.— Yet we confess other circumstances seem to throw a great doubt on many things, apparently substantiated. How is it possible to reconcile. we often ask ourselves, the story of the forty police having beaten a thousand men, with the enormous influx of troops still pouring into this country-with the alarm and consternation everywhere pervading the authorities-with the arrival of Lord Hardinge, late Governor-General of India, to virtually supersede the officials of Ireland-with war ships, marines, loaded guns, port-holes open and cleared for action, and other indications of either the Government being ridiculously deceived, or else important events by some machinery we have not yet detected, excluding the facts from a journal which, in our case, we know only wants the facts, whatever they are, to publish them. If it be true that Smith O'Brien had so few followers—and we have obtained no fact to the contrary—does it not suggest the question-if so inconsiderable a demonstration in Ireland can thus move England to its depths-summon her forces-cause them to encamp, march, and countermarch, and put her to such enormous expense—affect the funds—and thus spread alarm through every nerve and artery of authority-why not correct the misgovernment of which. with all its faults. such movement only represents the fruit? Some of Mr O'Brien's political principles of action, it is well known, have never had our support or approval; neither have they had the support or approval of the vast majority of the Catholic Clergy or intelligent People of Ireland; but, if there be any who thirst to offer him up a sacrifice to the Moloch of misgovernment, we tell them. that whatever be the errors of Mr S O'Brien, they will then be forgotten in his sacrifice. He may have adopted most erroneous modes of conducting the Repeal cause--have had been stimulated by flattery or ambition-he may be, as he has been, precipitated into this most unhappy conflict by writings he did not sanction or control-but the people will only recollect that, with an ample fortune, a high standing in society, he proved himself ready to seal his sincerity with his blood and his fortune. He may be defeated, crushed: but let no man believe that Ireland is therefore contented or crushed, or that British neglect or misgovernment will not, if persevered in, create and foster a more powerful, because a more discreet and legal, popular organization and universally diffused discontent. which must keep England either up to the prodigality of her present war pitch, or else instruct her in the wisdom of extending to Ireland the economy of justice. It is one of the misfortunes of misrule that its antagonists are deemed patriots, and its victims martyrs.
