The things one stumbles upon reading newspapers. Away from my office, I don't know whether account of a Repeal meeting I've read has been specifically covered by all of O'Connell's biographers but in the current moment, it feels worth sharing
[Long Thread] #Irishhistory #slavery

In mid-July 1842, O'Connell attended Repeal Meeting, welcoming American delegation from Mobile, AL, including Rev. Mr McGarahan, who left Ireland in 1830s. O'Connell, as ever, was happy to receive some needed US money to the cause of Repeal.

McGarahan speaks & discusses the cause of Irish freedom, how Americans up-and-down the country support Repeal, and alludes to the recent British defeat in India boding well for Irish cause. He jokes on Repeal, Irish-Americans are 'more Irish than the Irish themselves'.

But, then things take a decisive turn. As a resident of Alabama, the good Father wants to set the record straight on American slavery.

Turns out, slavery is misunderstood in Ireland. 'They [slaves]…were treated with the greatest indulgence, and with care'

The good Father suggests, slaves 'were not prepared for liberty. They were idle, ungovernable, and incapable of managing their own affairs' but are now 'better fed, better clothed, and happier'. In turn, he suggests Repealers should not mention slavery in their meetings...

And, that O'Connell's support for abolitionism would break his own maxim, because 'rivers of blood' would flow if it was pursued. The good Father sat down 'amidst great applause.'

How does O'Connell answer a man who came with $, wears clerical authority, and received applause?

Honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag.

O'Connell sticks to his principled position – 'He could not hear slavery praised or palliated. He could not bring himself to endure the very idea of such a state of things, & as much as he valued sympathy and support of America…

...'in the present constitutional crisis [repeal], if it be the slightest apology for slavery, he at once abandoned it'.

He goes on to praise British emancipation, his role within it, and the way former slaves proved Fr McGarahan's arguments wrong.

He also perpetuates the Irish slave myth (oh no!)– 'But Ireland was free from the foul stain – for no one slave-ship never sailed from any port in Ireland except one which carried Irishmen themselves (cheers and laughter).'

And, he gives a rather odd answer on joining 'abolitionists' suggesting he did not advocate Americans join 'any combination that would injure the property of any man' – which, fits O'Connell as the utilitarian but not the moral crusader where humans are property.

But, he ends on a strong note amidst 'loud cheers': 'He would insult no man, but his heart was devoted to liberty, and so long as slavery existed in any quarter of the globe, he would be found among the ranks of its bitterest and most decided enemies.'

No neat and tidy bow to wrap this all up – it merely seems illustrative of the complexity of individuals and historical events. O'Connell maintains his position on slavery and offers a full-throated blistering critique, but he also peddles in some racist rhetoric...

...displays a politician's propensity for equivocating, offers some historically inaccurate claims for political point scoring, and presents a narrative of emancipation centered on him.