IRELAND.
Mr. O'Connell finds the Dublin workpeople difficult to manage. The consequence of his attempt to put down the system of combina- tion among the tradesmen of that city has been to raise a storm against himself under which any other popular leader in Ireland would sink. A meeting summoned by the Lord Mayor, on the requisition of Mr. O'Connell and several other gentlemen, was held on Saturday, at the Royal Exchange, for the purpose of passing resolutions against the combination of the workmen. Saturday was an inconvenient day for the workpeople to attend ; and moreover, a charge of a shilling was made to every person on admission. Nevertheless, the workmen assem- bled in considerable numbers, and formed the majority of the meeting. Mr. O'Connell, having mistaken the hour of meeting, did not arrive till nearly one, instead of twelve o'clock. His absence increased the prevailing ill-humour. Twelve resolutions were to be proposed ; but only the first, which condemned combination of workmen in general terms, was carried. The second specifically condemned the practice of limiting the number of apprentices, and enforcing an uniform rate of wages. Mr. O'Connell and other gentlemen supported the resolution, amidst clamour, directed principally against O'Connell ; who was as- sailed with all the old Tory nicknames and terms of abuse. One of the workmen wished to move an amendment to the resolution, to the effect that masters and workmen should be left to settle their own dif- ferences without the interference of others. lie asked the Lord Mayor first, and then Mr. O'Connell, to put the resolution in a proper shape for him ; but Mr. O'Connell declared that such a resolution would be illegal! and the Lord Mayor refused to put it. As it was evidently impossible to carry the original resolution, Mr. O'Connell moved an adjournment of the meeting ; and the Lord Mayor quitted the chair, amidst a storm of hisses and shouts. Then, says the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, " A scene of frightful confusion ensued ; during which some of the low Orangemen and others of the trades made a rush at Mr. O'Connell; who. however, was immediately surrounded by most of the gentlemen present, and conducted safely out of the room, amid shouts and execrations from the io- temperate mob. When Mr. O'Connell got into his coach, he drove away amid the loud cheers of all the respectable men of every party present."
Previous page
