Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1875 — O’Connell’s Wit. [ARTICLE]

O’Connell’s Wit.

One of the most effective weapons of O’Connell was his wit, which was always at his command. There are hundreds of stories detailing instances of his power in this respect. One of these is a*Btory where the victim was Dr. Bussell, known in this country as “ Bull Run Russell,” the famous correspondent of the London Times. On one occasion, when O'Connell was to address a monster meeting in Ireland, Russell was sent over by the Times to report O’Connell’s speech, the purpose being to get evidence that could be used against him in case he should utter language capable of being interpreted as seditious. By O’Connell’s advice, Russell was provided with every possible facility for his work. He was assigned a seat near O'Connell where he could hear every worjjL O’Connell, before beginning his speech, informed the thousands of people present that there was a very able Englishman present, who came all' the way from England to report his.speech; that it was to be printed in the London Times, and that the gentleman was very desirous to get an accurate report, so tliat he could swear to it if necessary. He therefore appealed to the Irish present to be quiet and orderly; to make no noise, and to do nothing that could disturb the English gentleman, or cause him to lose a word of the speech to which he was to swear. During these remarks he pointed out Mr. Russell personally, who was placed so conspicuously as to be easily seen by all. Then, turning to Mr. Russell, he asked him if there was anything he needed, if he was, comfortably seated, if his pens were in order, and if'he were ready to begin. By this time Russell had become the most interesting and conspicuous man in the crowd. Again appealing to the crowd to become quiet and let the gentleman get such a report as he could swear to, he informed Russell that he was about to begin. Russell dipped his pen in ink, ana O’Connell began his oration—in Irish! The multitude saw the joke, and Russell was painfully impressed with the knowledge that he was laughed at: At intervals O’Connell would appeal in English to the crowd to be silent, as the English gentleman did not seem to get along very well, and would not be able to swear to the accuracy of the report. Evety moment made Russell's position more painful, until at last, mortified and humiliated at the exposure of the real purpose of his visit, and at its defeat, he rose from hi* seat, left the meeting, and quitted Ireland.— Chicago Tribune. —Letter* and. packages from foreign countries which are suspected of containing articles subject to duty are hereafter to be opened by the owner ic the presence of a Custom-House officer. '