The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-06 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, SEPT. 6.

Wits! do the Irish representatives intend doing in
the next session of parliament? Do they mean to
act as they did this year, when some of them were
altogether absent, others agitating on impractica-
ble subjects—some were abusing the existing govern-
ment, and few or none of them giving any useful
suggestions to the legislature? Or will they turn
over a new leaf, and give evidence of the possession
of parliamentary talents, and political aptitude for
affairs? We sincerely hope that they may, bat the
question is, not what we hope, but what we think
about them, and that question we will answer.
For aught that appears to the contrary, it seems
that the newly chosen Irish members intend following
the footsteps of their predecessors: we hear of no
efforts made by them to canvass and collect opinions
in Ireland upon any of the questions which as a mat-
ter of necessity must in the next session be legislated
upon by parliament. In his address to the electors of
Limerick, Mr. MouseLt, of Tervoe, said : " I still
maintain the opinion, which I put forward at the great
railway meeting two years ago, that much of the busi-
ness now transactedin Loudon could, with great ad-
vantage to Irish interests, be transferred to this coon-
try." Judging by the inaction and disrelish amongst
Irish representatives for sustained and strenuousexer-
tions, we are inclined to doubt the latter part of Mr.
MONSELL'S opinion, but we agree with him in thinking
that Ireland might be more active in misting the
Imperial Parliament through means of her representa-
tives and influential classes. Public opinion is
never properly canvassed in Ireland. Measures
of practical importance are never publicly dis-
cussed with closeness and accuracy in that country. ,
The style of popular discussion there is vague, uncer-
tain, and passionate. The influence of agitation has
vitiated the public palate. There is only appetite for
stimulants; calm and wholesome topics involving the
principles of feasible, social reforms, are passed by as
" uninteresting," because a showy declaimer does not
figure to advantage upon them. The Irish public
speaker, with a gaudy taste in eloquence, and a propen-
sity, more or less natural, to sentimental outpouring,
does not like to exhibit the political capacity he arro-
gates, upon questions which demand the possession of
a thinking intellect as distinguished from a loquasious
tongue—of a retentive memory and well-stored under-
standing as distinguished from a fertile fancy and trick
of fluent declamation. The passion for mere excitement
which prevails in Ireland, is ruinous in many re-
spects. It interferes with the growth of calm and
resolute thinking. It puts an end to grave study and
earnest reflection, and substitutes the rhetoric of the
declaimer, and the sympathies of a talk-loving au-
dience. For one vigorous thinker that can be found
amongst the professed conductors and guides of Irish
opinion, there are a score of vehement talkers. In
Ireland, people seem to think that legislation should
be a matter of emotion, not conviction ; that grave
affairs should be decided by feeling, not reflection
upon consequences. The provisions of a statute
affecting the property of thousands, and the welfare
of millions, are to be as lightly thought about
as the inscription of a pretty sonnet in a
lady's album. The so-called representatives of
that vivacious people do not give much more
attention to bills before parliament than to their
billets-dmx. The national levity of the country mars
the abilities of its most eminently gifted men. We
have seen many instances of the finest talents in that
island rendered useless (except for mere transient
brilliancy) by habits of scoffing at grave reasoning.
Far be it from us to disparage the public talents of
Irishmen. We are aware that, owing to circum-
stances, Ireland has more illustrious names to point
to in politics than in any other department of
mental exertion. But in treating of the recognised
politicians of Ireland during the present generation,
we feel compelled to notice the absence of that grave,
moral, and self-instructing spirit which ought to
distinguish a body of senators. Composed of such
men, a parliament on College-green would be nothing
better than a spouting club.
But the evil must be remedied. We have borne
our part in reforming (however imperfectly) the con-
stitution of the body of the Irish representatives. We
rejoice to know that our efforts in stimulating the
Irish constituencies to return good members, have not
been fruitless. To our remarks upon that subject,
prior to the general election, nearly the whole Irish
press gave circulation through the country. In com-
mon with all who value a co-operative clams of
working representatives, we welcome the entrance to
parliament of such men as Mr. Moose, Mr. MORRELL,
Sir LUCIUS O'BRIEN, Mr. BOURKE, Mr. HERBERT,
and others deserving to be ranked with them. The
body of the Irish representatives has been certainly
improved; the next thing to be done is to improve
the mode of working that body for legislative utility.
A great practical reform might be effected by the
proper discussion of Irish rubjects. If the Irish re-
presentatives used their pens more and their tongues
less we cannot help thinking that Irish affairs would
be better studied, and more vigorously reasoned upon.
A gentleman of station can afford to make speeches
not indicative of depth of thought. Much allowance
is made for the hurry and agitation of speaking before
a crowd. But a man with any regard to his name
does not like to be shallow upon paper. Nobody
likes to be chalked down as deliberately dull or fri-
volous with malice prepense. A man who writes
upon a subject is in a different position from one who
talks upon it. For it is remembered that every public
speaker on politics is anxious to conciliate the regards
of his audience, and does so often at the expense
of his , own convictions. There is besides a
,fiseen de parkr, a practice of balancing phrases
and "sailing close to the wind" (to use Lord
BROUGHAM'S phrase in describing Mr. Preen
style) which is tolerated in a speaker, though
such allowance is never given to a writer. In short,
a gentleman may talk with shallowness upon politics
and escape censure, but ho cannot, with any regard
to his reputation, write feebly and ignorantly upon
public matters.
Discussion in a proper style presupposes informa-
tion, reflection, the suggestion of ideas, and distinct
utterance of certain truths. By reforming the dia•
cussion of Irish affairs an immense benefit would be
gained. Hitherto even the best Irish members have
little contributed to the proper examination of public
subjects. In England we canvass all important
topics in our own localities. Our public men
whether in or out of parliament put forward
their views with manly frankness. They state
them in the public assembly, and use the press for
the explanation of details. In England, we have got
the habit of reasoning upon our affairs. We think
as well as talk; we read and write upon our politics,
as well as speak about them in our clubs, or on the
platform. But in Ireland, from year's end to year's
end, it is all " talk —talk Goa ." The public mind of
that country trickles incessantly in a brawling shallow
stream, never rolling, as in England, in a majestic
torrent, swoln with contributions from deep and
grand reservoirs of thought If Irishmen of intelli-
gence, acquainted with the actual condition of thole
oountry, and its wants, would submit their views to
the public in a manly way, we might have some hdpe
of rationalising the discussion of Irish affairs, sad
giving their consideration a practical turn ef
much consequence. Last year, Mr. SNITS
O'BRIEN published his public views in letters So doe
blab gentry. Though we disapprove of many dthese
views, we perceive in his publication as earnest
anxiety to be useful, and a reasonable *squints/ice
witlf his subject. In the middle of the session, Sir
D. Jamison NORRETS, through the public journals,
tetered some valuable remarks on a practical question
, then before the House of Commons. We remember
- Mr. Itoraccit, in his cavilling way, taking objection