e Report, "the
following declarations and resolutions of the Repeal Association:--The
basis of the Repeal Association was laid on the 15th of April, 1830. The
following were the three first propositions constituting such
basis:--'1st. Most dutiful and ever inviolate loyalty to our most
gracious and ever-beloved Sovereign, Queen Victoria, and her heirs and
successors for ever.'

"'2nd. The total disclaimer of, and THE TOTAL ABSENCE FROM ALL PHYSICAL
FORCE, VIOLENCE, OR BREACH OF THE LAW; or, in short, any violation of
the laws of man, or the ordinances of the eternal God, whose holy name
be ever blessed.'

"'3rd. The only means to be used are those of peaceable, legal, and
constitutional combinations of all classes, sects, and persuasions of
her Majesty's loyal subjects, and by the power of public opinion,
concentrated upon most salutary and always legal means and objects.'"

The Report gave rise to a stormy discussion, but in the end it was
adopted all but unanimously, Thomas Francis Meagher alone saying "no" to
it.

A fortnight later, after a fierce debate of two days' duration, the
complete and final separation between Old and Young Ireland occurred on
the 28th of July. Monday, the 27th, was the usual day for the weekly
meeting, and on that day the business commenced by Mr. Ray, the
Secretary, reading a letter from O'Connell, who had gone to London to
attend Parliament, in which he expressed his sorrow at the miserable
dissensions which had arisen amongst them, at a period, too, when
unanimity was most necessary, and most likely to be useful. He, in
substance, repeats the principles contained in the Report adopted a few
days before:--"Here we take our stand," he writes, "peaceable exertions
and none others--no compromise, no equivocation--peaceable exertions and
none others." "Let it, however, be borne in mind that these peaceable
doctrines leave untouched the right of defence against illegal attack or
unconstitutional violence." "It had become," he adds, "more essential
than ever to assent to those peace principles, as the Association was
sought to be involved in proceedings of a most seditious nature, stated
in the _Nation_ newspaper to have been perpetrated in and by the writers
for that publication."

Smith O'Brien was the first to speak. Although he might, he said, be in
error, he conceived that the present discussion had been raised with a
view to call upon the Association to say that there are no
circums