Mr.
Meagher rose to reply.

He delivered that most impassioned oration, in which occurs the apostrophe to the sword.

The meeting yielded to the frankness, sincerity, enthusiasm and supreme eloquence of the young orator, and rewarded him by its uncontrollable and unanimous applause.
Mr.J.O'Connell rose, and, in the midst of a scene of universal rapture, coldly said, "either Mr.Meagher or myself must leave the Association." Too generous to avail himself of the enthusiasm he excited, Mr.Meagher withdrew.

So did Mr.O'Brien, Mr.Mitchel and the others, with more than three-fourths of the meeting.
Thus occurred the secession.

Mr.J.O'Connell simulated some stage grief, expressing his ardent hope that the "Liberator," on his arrival, would heal the wounds he had himself inflicted.