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own opinion, from personal observation, I may say, that I have 

 never seen a more impartial magistrate than Mr. Atkinson, 

 or one who labours more to decide every case with integrity 

 and independent feeling, and without any bias to any party 

 coming for justice before him. (Cheers.) Sir, the number 

 present here this day attest their sympathy with the opinion 

 which the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and the Lord Chancellor 

 have expressed, of the freedom of Mr. Atkinson from the 

 slightest imputation ; and he has come out of this investigation 

 with a character as pure as the justice of his cause was mani- 

 fest. (Hear, hear !) This is a proud reflection to him, and 

 also to yourselves, possessing, as he does, your sincere and 

 cordial sympathy ; and that such is the feeling of every honest 

 man in this county in this business is indisputable. (Loud 

 cheers.) I have the honour to propose the following Address 

 to be presented to Thomas J. Atkinson. 



Dr. SHEIL, having read to the meeting the letter of Colonel 

 Conolly, published in page 32, continued : Sir, this letter, in 

 addition to the opinion of the Lord-Lieutenant and the Lord 

 Chancellor, contains also Colonel Conolly's own sentiments of 

 esteem for Mr. Atkinson as a magistrate ; and, Sir, I believe I 

 may say, with truth, in the presence of the people of this 

 country collected here this day, that this opinion of Mr. Atkin- 

 son is universal. (Cheers.) I differ from Mr. Atkinson in 

 politics ; but I never heard it said nor insinuated that Mr. 

 Atkinson carried his political feeling to the bench ; and I 

 believe that every Roman Catholic in this country respects him 

 as a magistrate, and considers his presence on the bench an 

 advantage to the country. (Cheers.) Sir, the same feeling of 

 confidence is reposed by the public in the other magistrates ; 

 and therefore it is that I think it a duty to the public to move 

 the resolution which I am about to submit to the meeting. 

 (Hear, hear !) I say, without fear of contradiction, that this 

 country never was more peaceable nor tranquil than it is at 

 present ; and that, to keep up a large police force in the County 

 Donegal, is to inflict a tax on the public without necessity. 

 As to the magistrates, I conceive that the resident magistrates 



