Alexandria Gazette

Condition of Ireland.

The declaration of Lord John Russell, that "while he had breath and life, he would oppose the repeal of the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland" and the passing of the Crown and Government Security Bill, which is now in force, as the law of both countries, have not yet succeeded in quelling the spirit of discontent on the other side of St. George's Channel. A few days, however, must further elapse before the full effect of the policy of the Government can be ascertained. The Lord Lieutenant continues to receive from all classes addresses breathing loyalty and attachment; and the answers continually express the reprobation with which the attempts to excite the masses are viewed by men of all creeds and parties throughout Ireland: and that this universal reprobation will deter the seditious from their evil courses, or at least "reveal to their dupes the utter hopelessness of their wicked schemes.

Mr. John O'Connell appeared at the Conciliation hall on Monday and issued an address to the people of Ireland, directed chiefly against Lord John Russell's words, above quoted. It was headed with the exclamation of Brutus— "His (Lord John Russell's) words pass by us as the idle wind which we regard not." However the younger Brutus, as Shakspeare has it, said something more in the same speech, which as it has been so frequently quoted against Mr O'Connell, we will not inopportunely remind him of. Certain it is, that the proceedings of the Repeal Association have lost all their attractions in the more exciting language and conduct of the younger confederation. The parties who have been most active in drilling and rifle-shooting have had their amusements greatly interfered with during the week: and some of them having been arrested, will, doubtless, be made examples of.

Mr. W. S. O'Brien and his party have proceeded to the south for the purposes of agitation. That they will easily succeed in stirring up a vast amount of disaffection there can be little doubt: everything throughout the provinces seems ripe for an outbreak: but what settled scheme of organization the parties promoting this movement have is beyond our comprehension to divine. We can only contemplate a vast sacrifice of human life, should any take place, without any hope of accomplishing the end they have in view. Government is increasing the precautions already taken. Preparations continue to be carried out in such a scale as plainly to denote that the authorities deem the danger to be near and imminent. Houses in Merrion and Rutland squares have been surveyed, and are being prepared for the reception of troops All the regiments in garrison have been addressed on parade by their commanding officers, and cautioned to abstain from taking any part in any political demonstration whatever.

The most fearful accounts of destitution continue to reach us from the provinces. The withdrawals of depositors of their funds from the provincial Savings' Banks, appear to arise as much from a sense of insecurity of their funds, as from political distrust: and indeed they have no doubt been swelled by the requirements of the depositors for emigration and other purposes. Enormous defalcations have taken place in the Tralee and Killarney Savings' Bank: and we cannot but agree with some of the Irish journals in thinking that these institutions should be under the direct control of the state. Country managers, however honest, are but too often sadly ignorant of the nature of accounts, and but little able to detect the secret devices of the fraudulent: the poor depositors who are saving to maintain themselves in old age should have every possible protection for their property.

The continuance of the run on the Saving's Banks has contributed to a considerable diminution of gold from the Bank of England.