IRELAND.
At a meeting of the Dublin Trades Union on Tuesday, it letter was read front Mr. Sharman Crawford, in reply to the address which tatted upon hint to head the Repeal agitation. It appears that Mr. Crawfordis averse to a dissolution of the Union, though an advocate for domes* legislation. He wishes to have an improved and extended systeinaf local legislation, but subject to " imperial " supervision and contra He states many objections against an independent Parliament ; and among them the difficulty of two Parliaments legislating for the Colonies- " I cannot understand bow it is possible that an Irish Parliament could be invested with powers to legislate, with regard to Foreign conunerce and Cola- nial interests, without being involved in perpetual collisions with the 13ritifii Legislature ; and these collisions must, in iny opinion, produce the effect either of a direct assumption of superiority by the British Parliament, an extinc- tion of the Irish Parliament, or a total separation of the two countries. if-the civil and military establishments, the finances, the debt, and the taxation of Ireland, are to be legislated for by an independent Parliament oilier own, thst Parliament must, in consistency, with those powers, have under its control her Foreign relations. Then, I ask, how are the interests of' the Colonies to it regulited, if the two Parliaments have equal powers, and legislate on different pnuciples? If Ireland is to have equal benefits with En-gland in Colonial trade, she must, in justice, pay a proportion of the expenses of the Colonies; and her Parliament would then claim a right to decide on every measure of Colonial legislation. Can England be called on to concede to Ireland equal powers with herself, when Ireland will, probably, not may more than a tenth of Colonial expenditure? " The same difficulties exist with regard to external legislation of every kind. On that legislation most depend the continuance of peace, or the infliction of war, as well as the prosperity of trade, manuilieture, and agriculture; and of every interest which eau involve the general prosperity of either country. Is there even a probability that two independent Parliaments coulmi agree on all the questions which would arise; and if not, how conld their differences be set- tled ? how could the evils of these differences be obvinted ?"
Ile reminds the Trades of the failure of their recent schemes of agi- talon, and mentions the cause of ill success--
4' Allow me to recal to your recollection the numerous associations which have been formed for political objects since the concession of Emancipation. Passing over those established for the particular object of Repeat, the most prominent have been—the Political Association, the Anti-Tory Association, the General Association and the Precursor Association. They are de- funct; they rest in the silent oblivion of the grave, without a single tnicr behind them of any successful effort. Ant I not justified, then, Sir, in calling on my countrymen, before they embark in a new agitation, to reflect on the causes of past alures, and the means by which future success can Li reasonably antici- pated ? I am sure they must ogres with me, that a greater evil cannot befit our country than to waste the energies of our moral power in useless, hopeless,
• and unsuccessful systems of agitation. "Now, what is the principle of the policy under which Irelani has been act- ing during the period I have alluded to? It has been this—that ihe vitatioa litr Irish rights should be conducted secondary to an/l bject, moldy, the ma:ntoining of a particular party or set of men in ofilec and put/ii great principles in abeyance, to serve the interests of this party. 'It has been thought that, by taking tnis course, the objects of Ireland could be best obtained; hot I have shown the total lidlure of your political Associations, conducted under this principle ; and I now request you to look to the effect it has had upoa the conduct of your Representatives. As an example, I refer you to the division on 'Mr. O'Connell's motion, (February 2;t, 18390 for a la to assimilate the franchise of Parliatnentary electors in England, Wales, aunt Ireland. You will find that only 33 Irish Members voted with hint on that occasion ; 37 Irish Liberal Members were absent, and among them some of those who had been most distinguished in your former struggles. Several of your most useful men have been detached front the cause of tic People by the acceptance of el/ice; and all those who are wiring to office will be equally backward in support of any question which requires them to oppose the opinions of the Government. •
" 'The British people are Monied for being hostile or indifferent to Irish rights and interests. I ask, can they be justly blamed, when the Irish Repre- sentatives are thu.; diverted from the cause of their country.? The saute policy separates the Irish Members from the cause of British liberty. The divisions of last session ShOW this ; in several of which your find Mr. O'Connell un- supported by the greater number of those Irish Members who generally vote witlt bitn—he dividing in favour of measures for advancing the rights and liberties of the English people. " This policy has, in my opinion, paralyzed all your efforts, ticstroyed your moral power, deprive!: you of the respect and support of the British nation, and weakened Protestant confidence m the objects of time Catholic body. It has caused Repeal, from being viewed as the noble struggle of an oppressed people for their righti, to be now considered as a vain boast, a uscless threat, an empty sound ; and it has placed Ireland in that position, that, under the circumstances which now exist, she cannot reorganize her strength—she cannot brims a power to bear upon any separate object of Irish agitation. Been if it wore'destrable to contend for Repeal of the Union, the means do not exist by which att effective agitation could be carried on."
These are only specimens of a very long and very able letter. The
meeting voted that it should be entered on minutes, inutes, and be con- siderednext week.
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