The disturbances in the county of Clare, we exceedingly regret,.
have not ceased, notwithstanding the lenity of Government, and the most strenuous exertions, in this instance as bold as they are laudable, of Mr. STEELE and the other friends of the deluded people. Mr. STEELE was so provoked at the continued disturb- ances, that, a few days ago, lie posted a proclamation on the walls of the Court-house of Ennis, in which he told the rioters that nothing but the bayonet remained to reduce them to reason ; and, what hardly another man in the empire would have dared, or have dared and escaped unharmed, he rode immediately to a mob assembled at some distance from that town, and, denouncing in the strongest terms their folly and wickedness, told them what he had, done ! The singular and insane plan of cutting up the pasture-lands into which the landlords both absentee and resident have very gene- rally converted their arable fields, still continues to be pursued, generally in the day-time and almost with impunity. It is, how- ever, noticeable in these illegalities, that with the exception of the police case, no instance of fatal and few of aggravated violence have occurred. Even the riots of the poor have assumed an appearance of greater mildness ; and this favourable symptom, more than any other, leads us to hope for their peaceable termination. It was feared that some danger might result from a general election at the present moment ; but Mr. O'CONNELL has observed, with his usual sagacity, that so far from augmenting, the election will serve to dissipate the excitement at present prevailing, by giving it a safe, a legal, and a favourite form in which to exhibit itself. O'CONNELL, and the other traversers have received notice of judgment. It is generally understood that only a nominal punish- ment will be imposed. Government have acted prudently in in- flicting it previous to the elections commencing. Whatever ser- vices O'CONNELL may render to the peace of his native country— and no man can render more—will not now wear the appearance of being called forth with a mean view of deprecating the severity of delayed punishment.
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