for having aspired to vindicate the rights of my native land; you deem, as I deem, that to suffer for Ireland is a privilege rather than a penalty.

“In acknowledging your address, I shall not dwell upon the many important considerations which are involved in my present contest with the House of Commons.  I cannot but think, indeed, that the constitutional questions at issue are of the highest moment, not alone to the Irish people, but also to each member of the legislature, and to every parliamentary elector in the United Kingdom.  Upon the present occasion, however, I am contented to waive all reference to collateral issues, and to justify my conduct upon the simple ground upon which it has received your approval—­namely, that until a domestic legislature shall be obtained for Ireland, my own country demands my undivided exertions.

“Be assured that those exertions will not be withheld so long as life and liberty remain to me, until Ireland shall again fiat the Declaration of 1782:  ’That no body of men is entitled to make laws to bind the Irish nation save only the Monarch, the Lords, and the Commons of Ireland.’”

On my way home I was invited to address a public meeting of Repealers in Liverpool.  I accepted the invitation, and in the course of my observations, emphatically repudiated all compromise on the subject of my country’s deliverance.  I disclaimed the idea that any concessions, any equalization with England in political franchises, any amelioration of our political or social condition, could ever be accepted by Ireland in compromise of her inalienable independence.  When I arrived in Dublin, I attended the Association, and, happening to read a letter from the Rev. Mr. Walshe, of Clonmel, couched in the warmest terms of admiration of Mr. O’Brien’s purity and heroism, the cowardice or jealousy of a certain party in the Hall found expression through its proper organs, and I was called to order in the name of the law.  A violation of law to praise William Smith O’Brien!  The chairman decided it was.  To such decision I scorned to submit, and I read the letter to the end, amidst the most enthusiastic cheers of the audience.  I was proceeding to read another letter from another clergyman of the same town, written in a very different spirit, when I was besought to withhold it, and entreated not to read it.  I complied.  It is but fair to add here that on the Saturday previous, an article was published in the Nation, some expressions of which Mr. O’Connell considered personally insulting.