In the actual state of Irish affairs there is no
decided change; but the posture assumed by Mr. O'CONNELL is more threatening. He stated at Mallow, on Sunday, after he had reviewed 400,000 of his army, (Irish computation,) that he had heard of a discussion in the Privy Council about coercive measures in Ireland; and that was the pretext for more minacious language than he had before em- ployed. Not that it differed in general character from all that lie has said for some months past : he still used the same deprecation of violence and breach of the law—still clothed his threats in the same ambiguous terms. But he told his hearers that they would soon be " assailed"—would soon be put to the choice whether they would " die freemen "—talked of his own dead body being trampled upon—and with a most sinister cunning alluded to the slaughter of three hundred Wexford ladies in CsonwEas time
as if such scenes could be renewed now but for the power of Irishmen to defend their countrywomen ! The man who resorts to so shameless a trick of rhetoric must feel the utmost contempt for the degree of information and sense in his hearers : and the thing was not said to the rabble-rout in the open air, but to a party of " gentlemen" who dined with him —the officers of his army. Never before did demagogue rule his followers with more arbitrary sway. He tells them to shout for the Queen's Army—and they shout for the Queen's Army ; he talks on melancholy topics and is " affected"—and they are " af- fected"; he tells them, in so many words, that they " may laugh "—and they laugh ! Almost every sentence he utters elicits a burst of cheers. They hang upon his words—shout, cry, laugh at his bidding : and this mobile people he excites with " shocking occurrences " borrowed from CaostwELL's time, as things that Pam. and WELLINGTON may do, but for resistance—peaceful resistance, of course, and lawful—under his guidance, with the pay- ment of as many shillings as possible for Repeal rent. It may be that the excitement he has raised has had a reaction and inflamed himself to do things he never contemplated at first; but such is the state of Ireland.
An Orange counter-demonstration would do more harm than good ; but where are the Liberals who have retained their senses ? Watching the storm, for what it may turn up to their party profit.
