The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-21 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1848.

Plunder and robbery seem to be the chief objects
of the participators in the new Irish insurrection.
The " boys " do not manifest the slightest inclina•
tion to encounter a military or police force, or to
try their chances in the field with the troops. The
lesson taught by Inspector TRAINT and his gallant
associates, at Boulagh Common, too clearly proved the
impossibility of an undisciplined and unofficered mob
coping with a well-trained and organized body of

men, however inferior in point of numbers they
might be. The decisive defeat which the rebels
sustained upon that occasion must have convinced
any sane man how utterly hopeless was the attempt
to extort concessions by force of arms, or to maintain
an armed force in the field in opposition to the con-
stituted authorities. The leaders, who up to that
time supp)sed that something might have been
effected, were then convinced how utterly fallacious
were the expectations they had cherished. The mis-
taken but chivalrous and high-minded auvrn
O'BRIEN, thereupon virtually surrendered himself to
the authorities. lie despaired of carrying out
his views; he saw that his continuing at
liberty could be productive of no advantage to the
country, that it could only involve those who might
afford him shelter and protection in the.most serious
consequences, and with an utter disregard of self he
adopted a course that could only end in bis appre-
hension. So long as he was at liberty property was
strictly respected—no robberies were sanctioned by
him—the food that was required for his associates
was paid for to the uttermost farthing. Matters,
however, now assume a very different aspect; there
is no recognized leader of the misguided men who
have joined the insurgent ranks. Various bodies
move from place to place, carefully avoiding
any conflict, and flying before the parties
of military and constabulary that are in daily
pursuit. The range of mountains in the
disturbed districts of Tipperary and Waterford
afford every facility to the fugitives to baffle any
pursuit that can be instituted, they send forth their
spies and scouts, who bring them the fullest intelli-
gence of the movements of the police, and are pre-
pared to make predatory excursions on any point
where there is a probability of obtaining a good
booty. Notices are sent out to the neighbouring
farmers, requiring them to bring in provisions of
every description to the can-IN:and
.threatening the
most stringent punishment if their commands should
be disregarded, or if the produce of the farms
should be sent to market, and not retained
for home consumption. Cattle, whether belonging to
friend or foe, are unhesitatingly carried off, and
cooked in a summary manner for the use of the
"patriots." Iron gates taken off the hinges are con-
verted into gigantic gridirons, over which whole oxen
and sheep are dressed, and the rebel encampment for
the time being is a scene of carousing and revelry.
If a movement is made by the police, their camp is
broken up for the time being, the insurgents disperse,
and remain sheltered in ravines and bog holes until the
wearied troops return to their barracks, when they
re-assemble again, and the feasting and robbery are
again commenced. Domiciliary visits are paid to
those who have not forwarded their contributions and
arras, money, and provisions are plundered without
scruplew or ceremony.
,although there may be nothing very dan-
gerous to the State in all this, it is intolerable that
hordes of idle and reckless vagabonds should thus
disposed prey upon their better
and more orderly
neighbours. The brigands
afforded t
must be put down, and
protection be
utry. The " black snail p,foperty in the coun-
be
permitted to flourish is the idadylseteomf theca
In9ntoht e
tury. The nuisance has reached
ex-
tent, and it must be abated
at any to too great an
neous movements should be made
so cost. Simulta-
as to prevent the
escape of the banditti, and stringent
should be inflicted upon those whomay punishment
aptuted.
Each day some of the rubbers fall into
the captured,
the authorities, but the arrest of a few scoundrels o'f
s
not sufficient to put an end to the system. A strik-
ing example must he made, that will instil terror into
the minds of those who cannot be taught to respect
their neighbours' goods. The Irish Government have
the full power of doing this, let them not slumber
on their posts. If the constabulary force is not suffi-
cient to scour all the ravines and mountain passes, to
protect property, and enforce submission to the laws,
let it be augmented to any extent that may be neces-
sary. The district where the additional force is
required must bear the entire expense thereof. It