That numerous class of politicians, the suspicious and discon- tented,
begin to scrutinize in no very satisfied mood the position of Ministers towards the O'Contiells. The complaint is, that by official patronage and countenance, the Agitator and his adherents are virtually suffered to govern Ireland. We hold that a Govern- ment is not to be blamed but praised for ruling a country through the moral influences and forces which it finds extant in that country ; and it is a sound complaint ao.ainst- a former Whig Government, that it neglected to make the full use that it might have made of Daniel O'Connell. Perhaps much of the mischie- vous eccentricity of O'Connell's subsequent career might have been prevented if the Whigs had sooner understood their policy. It is now, indeed, too late to redeem that error. As an instru- ment of good for Ireland, he has lost his virtue. While Ministers begin to patronize him, his position grows less and less command- Mg or dignified. In the midst of the distress, Mr. O'Con- nell is seen pocketino.° the Repeal rent—claiming a balance as due to himself from the Association—and going. so far as to bar the claim on behalf of a statue for Thomas Davis. " Be just before you are generous," says Mr. O'Connell : pay me before monu- ments. He has turned to be the panegyrist of the Government, at the moment his relatives and connexions obtain places. Repeal is going to the dogs, and Mr. O'Connell is losing influence in Ire- land, precisely as he lost it in England, by the levity with which he mingles fulsome eulogy, wanton scurrility, and transparent insincerity: he is evidently fast losing ground with all but the priests, who use him, and the ignorant poor, whom he cajoles. We think the charge against Ministers—that they permit the worn-out Agitator to govern Ireland—is exaggerated exactly in proportion as O'Connell's real influence is worn out—he does not govern Ireland, because he can't. He only keeps up appearances at 'Conciliation Hall. Noiv, Ministers cannot be accomplices in his doing that which it is not in his power to do. But perhaps they have not taken sufficient pains on their side to save 'appearances.
