ity of the Repeal Association must exert
themselves strenuously to support the association, or the persons to
whom I allude will divide its ranks, and finally destroy the association
itself. For my poor part, I will not be an idle spectator of such a
struggle. 'Tis true that the people may be induced to desert me, but I
never will desert the people. I perceive that it is--I will not use the
proper term--but I will say, most unhandsomely suggested that, in
the event of the Whigs coming into power, the repeal cause is to be
abandoned, or postponed, or compromised. I utterly deny the assertion.
While I live the repeal cause shall never be abandoned, postponed, or
compromised, to advance any persons to power, to support any party or
faction. I have long since; nailed the colours of repeal to the mast,
and they shall, during my life, never be taken down, unless to cover the
entry of the Irish members into the Irish parliament in College Green."

The contests between the two sections of repealers ended in the
secession of the Young Irelanders from the Repeal Association. O'Connell
was at heart glad of this, for his physical and intellectual energies
were flagging, and the constant tantalising to which he was subjected
in the association by these young men irritated his nervous system, and
impaired his health. He made a show of conciliation, and sent a Roman
Catholic clergyman of considerable importance, the Rev. Dr. Miley, to
open negotiations with Smith O'Brien, whom he did not hesitate publicly
to declare was the only man of weight among them. O'Brien was not to be
won by the voice of the charmer, and O'Connell became furious, attacking
the literary men, who principally led the Young Irelanders, in terms
which gave offence to the whole press, and strengthened the ranks of his
opponents. The Whigs treated the Young Irelanders contemptuously, but
endeavoured by every means in their power to conciliate the old repeal
party. Not only was the arms bill dismissed from parliament, but place
and patronage was at the beck of O'Connell; and many of his followers,
notwithstanding their anti-English feeling, and the need of their
services which they supposed their country had, accepted situations in
England and the colonies. The magistrates who had been dismissed by Sir
Robert Peel's government for attending repeal meetings, or joining the
association, were all restored to the commission of the peace. Dublin
Castle unbarred its venerabl