THE IRISH PROSECUTIONS. [From the Times, November 9.]

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 107, 23 March 1844, Page 11

THE IRISH PROSECUTIONS. [From the Times, November 9.]

The first act of the Irish state prosecutions is over. Like the generality of first acts, it has been bustling, noisy, and exciting. The plot of the drama has advanced as far as the finding of a true bill against the Repealers; and the curtain drops on a scene of mutual wrangling, expostulation, and concession, between the officers of the Crown and the accused.

An interval of four days will elapse between the first and the second act, and then will commence the real interest of the piece. The squabbles as to the admission of evidence — the searching inquisition into the characters of the witnesses — the jealousy of official encroachment on the part of the defendants*— the equal jealousy of too great indulgence to them on the part of the Crown — the ardour with which the advocates of the former will prefer their claims to enjoy all those privileges and facilities which they owe entirely to the equitableness of Saxon laws and the temper of the Saxon people — the punctilious obstinacy with -which every point of undue leniency or severity will be contested — the appeals to precedent, and the corresponding appeals to principles independent of precedent — all these, the native elements of all State trials generally, diversified with the traits and humours peculiar to an Irish Court — with the personalities of T. Steele and the facetus of O'Connell — promise to supply the idle and the unemployed of Dublin with diversion for weeks to come. But that the duration of the trial is to be computed by weeks alone, we dare not venture to predicate. The number of the prisoners, the multitude of the witnesses summoned, the length of the indictments, and the variety of the facts sworn to, forbid us to suppose that the proceedings can be concluded in so short a space ; that the patience or attention of the Dublin folks should outlive their termiI nation, we hold to be an impossible condition.

But the end — the result of these proceedings — what will that be ? Whatever it be, it cannot fail to affect in the most momentous degree the tranquillity of the two countries. Whichever way the verdict be given, it will fall on no listless ears, on no unimpassioned minds. The apathy which a protracted examination produces will be dispelled ; the Irish character will show itself in all its wild enthusiasm. If the prisoners be acquitted, the tidings of acquittal will be borne through the length and breadth of Ireland by estafettes of fire. Bonfires blazing on every hill will announce to the peasantry that " Dan has beaten the Government." The Repealers will once more stand on 'vantage ground ; and the necessity of resorting to other measures be practically demonstrated. If, on the other hand, they be convicted, there will be some little danger and no little difficulty to be encountered. The danger of punishing a popular leader is not trifling when the party which he heads is faithful to itself, and united by the bonds of good faith and unquestionable unity of purpose. In the present instance there is at least as much to hope from the hollow selfishness, the deliberate treachery, and the vacillating courage of the Repealers, as from the firmness or good management of the Castle authorities. We cannot indeed compliment the Government on the administrative talents of their Dublin officials. There has been much negligence, much mismanagement. The emergencies of the times demand an economy of blunders. Unfortunately, these gentry have been recklessly prodigal of this article. Let us hope that they have exhausted their stock, at least for the season. No man, neither friend nor foe, will forgive blunders. The Liberal repudiates the involuntary, offspring of imbecility j the admirer of a strong Executive despises the complication of halting indecision and indolent civility which fritters away great occasions without conciliating hostility or inspiring respect.