Mr. Smith O'Brien was taken at the close of last
week, under characteristic circumstances. The fugitive from justice com- mitted such a practical:bull as to -venture to a railway station. He who was but yesterday extravagantly .elated, was now de- pressed most wofally, *most, unaccountably. He was recog- nized by many `by so many, that the people .of the country must have exercised a self-denial in not earning the reward of- fered for his apprehension, which at once excites pity and re- spect; respect for their fidelity, pity for their devotion to -every cause and any leader but such as would promote their own well- being. The country, however, remains quiet, excepting some mail-robberies and other minor cases of brigandage. Thus, the Tininess and energy of the Government have produced ample fruits; and the progress of affairs towards a better state is quite as favourable as ought to be expected. What is the dismay, then, occasioned by reports which wear some aspect of authenticity, that the Whig Ministers are taking steps towards a revival of the old alliance with the Repealers. We incline to discredit the reports, in spite of appearances; the policy would be so monstrous—too bad even for the official allies of O'Connell. It would imply a sinking even from the Whig standard : it would indicate that the Whig Government of 1848 is to the Whig Government of 1835 what John O'Con- nell is to Daniel. If we were to suppose for a moment that the reports were true, we could anticipate none but the most deplorable consequences. The reign of feebleness would be restored—the rule of pretences instead of realities ; that re- gime under which the O'Connell party would help, in disguise, to keep the Whigs in office, and would be repaid by crumbs of Whig patronage. It is true that Lord John Russell's surprisingly inopportune declaration on Wednesday, that "associations to petition for repeal of the Union " would not be illegal, gives colour to the worst of these rumours. Ireland is recovering from rebellion, and is still under a quasi-dictatorship ; it is noto- rious that the O'Connell party can and still do play fast and loose with the "lawful agitation" for Repeal, so as to take in and con- found all "moral force" and "physical force" that will consent to mince their words and equivocate ; and it is at such a time that the first Minister of the Crown plays with "constitutional" dog- mas and lends high official sanction to equivocation and the blar- ney of sedition ! But still, we say, the rumours cannot be true : Lord John Russell must see the difference between a John O'Con- nell and a Daniel, and cannot expect the slightest advantage from any new alliance with Conciliation Hall, its peerage or its priesthood.
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