The Sun.
London, England, 1869-05-01 00:00:00

THE STATE OF IDELAND.

The Opposition journals, pointing to the present
state of Ireland, siy that " a policy of spoliation is
producing its legitimate fruits." The lhadin
Mad says

" We report a murder near Athlone—treasonable speeches,
under an official sanction, in Cork—riots and loss of
life in Derry ! This record of twenty-four hours forms an
eloquent chapter in the history of the new Pacification of
Ireland. Mr. Gladstone found Ireland in peace, and what
is now its condition ? His policy has recalled Fenianism
to life—it has acted as a stimulus to Agrarianism —it has
evoked again that fanaticism which employs violence to pre-
vent Ulster loyalists from manifesting their opinions. The
failure of the `pacification' of Mr. Gladstone is complete,
signal, and retributive. It has been demonstrated sooner
than vas expected, and with a much bolder emphasis.
The `message of peace' is a mistake so visible and
enormous that, sooner or later, the empire must recognise
it."

The Freeman, on the other band, is indignant with
the 'prentice boys of Derry for raising the "
Surrender" cry. That cry, it says, must always end
in riot and bloodshed. And we suppose there is no
help for it. While the line between the two partit s
is so hard and fast ; while the one section of the
community is taught to hate the other ; while
Christianity is identified in the minds of the
populace with sectarianism ;. and love, charity,
and peace are regarded as applicable only
to the respective parties amongst themselves,
there must always exist the fear of disturbance.
The duty of the State meanwhile is clear. It must
shew no favour to either party, and must do what it
can to prevent the ebullition of party feeling. It
cannot control the passions of the mob after a demon-
stration of " No Surrender," or religious equality. It
must do what it can to prevent these demonstrations.
The affair of the Mayor of Cork is another very
ticklish matter to deal with. In the city itself it has
produced the greatest alarm amongst the loyalists.
There can be little doubt that Mr. O'Sullivan coun-
selled the assassination of Prince Arthur. The
magistrates are aghast, and have called a meeting to
take the subject into consideration. The Cabinet is
also moved on the subject. It is stated that the law
officers of the Crown, Irish and English, have been
requested to consider the speech delivered on Tues-
day night by the Mayor of Cork. An authentic
copy of the short-hand writer's notes was telegraphed
for on Thursday, immediately after the conclusion of
the Cabinet Council. The anti-English party is also
impressed with the importance of the speech. One
thousand copies were sent off to America by the

According to the Dublin Daily Express, the
Government have information of further intended
operations on the part of the Fenian conspirators.
Lord John Manners elicited the information that
the Government were putting into operation all the
powers they possess to put down the crimes of
violence which are now becoming so lamentably
frequent in Tipperary and Westmeath. it is not
improbable that the Mayor of Cork will be called to
account for his recent treasonable speech about
Prince Arthur.