a thousand times more for the benefit of Ireland than his former ambitious plan.  But we speak of it with reference to the sinking scale of his ambition.  Now this it is—­viz. the aspiring character of his former promises, the assurance that he would raise Ireland into a nation distinct and independent in the system of Europe, having her own fleets, armies, peerage, parliament—­which operated upon the enthusiasm of a peasantry the vainest in Christendom after that of France, and perhaps absolutely the most ignorant.  Is it in human nature, we demand, that hereafter the same enthusiasm should continue available for Mr O’Connell’s service, after the transient reaction of spitefulness to the Government shall have subsided, which gave buoyancy to his ancient treason?  The chair of a proconsul, the saddle of a pasha—­these are golden baits; yet these are below the throne and diadem of a sovereign prince.  But from these to have descended into asking for “an old black coat,” on the American precedent!  Faugh!  What remains for Ireland but infinite disgust, for us but infinite laughter?

No, no.  By Mr O’Connell’s own act and capitulation, the game is up.  Government has countersigned this result by the implicit pledge in their proclamation, that, having put down Clontarf, for specific reasons there assigned, they will put down all future meetings to which the same reasons apply.  At present it remains only to express our fervent hope, that ministers will drive “home” the nail which they have so happily planted.  The worst spectacle of our times was on that day when Mr O’Connell, solemnly reprimanded by the Speaker of the House of Commons, was suffered—­was tolerated—­in rising to reply; in retorting with insolence; in lecturing and reprimanding the Senate through their representative officer; in repelling just scorn by false scorn; in riveting his past offences; in adding contumely to wrong.  Never more must this be repeated.  Neither must the Whig policy be repeated of bringing Mr O’Connell before a tribunal of justice that had, by a secret intrigue, agreed to lay aside its terrors.[31] No compromise now:  no juggling:  no collusion!  We desire to see the majesty of the law vindicated, as solemnly as it has been notoriously insulted.  Such is the demand, such the united cry, of this great nation, so long and so infamously bearded.  Then, and thus only, justice will be satisfied, reparation will be made:  because it will go abroad into all lands, not only that the evil has been redressed, but that the author of the evil has been forced into a plenary atonement.

[31] The allusion is to Mr O’Connell’s past experience as a defendant, on political offences, here the Court of Queen’s Bench in Dublin; an experience which most people have forgotten; and which we also at this moment should be glad to forget as the ominous precedent for the present crisis, were it not that Conservative honesty and Conservative energy were now at the helm, instead of the Whig spirit of intrigue with all public enemies.

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