Many of these and others who were not of the party brought to the popular tribune rare endowments, the most generous passions, and the noblest eloquence.
Poetry, fresh, vigorous and full of heart, shed her harmonising and ennobling influence upon the whole, and imparted to patriotism the last pre-requisite of success.

Amidst this grand movement stood Mr.
O'Connell, erect, alone, its centre and its heart.

He was not its guide, but its god, until he slept within a prison, and came forth less than man.
During this period two events occurred deserving particular notice--the only facts upon which Mr.O'Connell's supremacy was questioned, or his advice audibly condemned.

These were, first, his refusal of French contributions and French sympathy, of which M.Ledru Rollin, since so celebrated, was to be the bearer; and secondly, his acceptance of contributions from America under protest, against the "infamous institution" of slavery.

He rejected the first with indignant scorn, because it was the offering of "republicans," and spoke of the latter with contempt, as "smelling of blood." These two acts alienated from his cause the only foreigners in the world who were willing to espouse it.