New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-05-24

We have here two volumes of original and In
6cnendent observations compiled from guide
books-not mere descriptions OF pictures, build
mos and dnners-but of earnest and fearless in
ou;rv into aud comment upon the condition of
The People, and the power influences, Political,
Intellectual, Religious and Social, which are ac-
lively al work to modify change that conditions.
His point of view is not the univers.!-you
perceive throughout that ne is Clergyman, and
OF the Evangelical s;amp-!is preference for
and attachment TO his own Church (lhc Methodist
arc on all fitting occasions frankly expressed
but YOU sec also through all, the earnest, kindly,
human heart, and the manly spirit of sympathy
for the suficrings OF the millions as well as sorrow
for their sins. His IS book for the thoughtful
and the devoted, and by them it must be highly
pnzed.
As specimen Of lis scope and spirit, we OK
tract portion of his Observations on the Charac-
er OF the Irish their virtues, their faults anj their
suferings Which cannot fail at this time to be re-
rarded with interest. We omit that portion only
which treats of Religious differences. DR.. Dur
bin says:
have already spoken of the poverty OF the Irish
peasantrv. No descriptions could convey an ade-
Quate idea OF it TO American readeTs. \ nation III
rags is Tor impossible conception. And yet
without u figure, the Irish nation in rags. Six
millions OF the whole people are without decent
clothing sufficient food, comfortable abodes. 1T
Is estimated that OF the popu.ation OF eight millions
two aud half millions depend Tor subsistence on
charity. One oil the evils OF Ireland, Then, the
wretched poverty OF The masses, lie upon The very
surface. But there must be evils deeper IMAM tins
its ground and root. Inc Irish people are active,
hardy aud quic -wited 10 proverb; the IRISH soil
is fertile and easily titled the island most tavora
bly situated for commerce aud manufactures; and
vet the Irish people perhups The poorest III the
civilized world. What Is the cause OF tins anomaly
It's causes must be found either IN moral detects
attaching TO the whole national character, or IN
csicious social and political institutions, or in false
religion, or in all these together. Let US look al
them separately.
As for the national character, it is in many points
noble; but us have repeatedly expressed my ad-
mfaon for its best features may, without offence,
aliude chief defects as they nor exhibit them
selves Tiev are, indeed moral evils resulting from
unfortunate circumstances and vicious legislatI~n
rather than native elements OF character. One 0l
the most striking OF these evils is ignorance, lie
.rsh,iul parent OF countless niseries. The Irish
peasantry are, perhaps, more intelligent, and yet
more Ignorant than any other peasanry out OF Rus
sin. Ii is merely in book learning that they are
deficient; il is not merely that they cannot read or
write; this, of itself, were bad enough; but this Is
not all They ignorant of the very art by which
their daily bread earned, of agriculture, OF handl
crafts OF all the mechanic arts. What but the densest
ignorance could have nOurshed the bitter srtes and
feuds that have long disgraced the Irish name =
What but the denSest ignorance could induce the
insane strife against the laws OF the land winch the
lowest Irish consider II almost Il virtue To violate
Bit their ignorance is hot merely the prvatiun oi
I;,b b,,tt no If 1rr The Irisb mimi
clear, acute, penetrating II undoubtedly Is, has
been perverted and durkened Icy iusc and evil teach
ing until it has learned 10 believe darkness Light,
and light darkness.
Incidence aud improvidence are also striking ca-
lures OF Irish character. The poor aborer, who mas
to secure, by his daily toll, from few acres OF
ground the support of his family, we'll as The rent
Of his landlord, will in deness day after day,
and month after month, until the possibility OF Sc
curing his crop is rrccoverably gone. The DISPOSE
ton 10 put off the work OF to-day until tomorrow
seems to be almost universal. And with this indIs
position 10 labor is connected an improvidence that
is proyerbul Tomorrow is left 10 take care OF IL
self That this state OF things exists IN iret0Rd
cannot be questioned but it appears equally clear
that ii has been broueh about by the general hope
lassneSs Of the condition OF the lower orders. lie
poor co,ier sees that ali bis toll will not materially
elevate his condition; that greater degree OF indus
try than he puts forth would only cause his land
lord 10 raise his rent; and he subsidies into slug
gish almost Indifferent way OF life, working just
enough TO keep mselfand his family from starving.
But the lrishnan in America is another beng
With The prospect before him of securing Il bit oi
land, even farm and comfortable home, he soon
shakes oil his idle habits, works diligently ana
saves carefully any OF has neIghhors ne
truth seems 10 be- then, that nothing but the mot're
is wanting 10 make the Irish industrious and ccono-
meal
But whatever NAV be thought OF the Roman Cath
Ole religion in itself II seems 10 me that no honest
Protestant vindicate the oppressive Eccc.eSaS-
teal system 10y which England binds Il Roman
Catholic people TO the support OF Proiesiantl-fIl.
The Episcopaions OF Ireland iorm perhaps, one
tenth OF the population and Yet TO them are given
the fruits of the Catholic Church endowmen,s OF
former ages; 10 them belong the Calhedrals, the
Churches The Episcopal Palaces, the Parsonases,
and the Globes; il is for them that the 1.-THE, that
most iniq uirous of existing Ecclesiastical abomlna-
tons is levied while the reg ion OF the vast ma
lorv of the people obtains nothing, next 10 no.
thing. in the way OF support from The Stale IL Is
impossible that permanent tranquility should he
realized in Ireland while thus enormous outrage
upon the feelings, the interests, md the rights OF the
Roman Catholic majority remain. Ii is not IN hil-
man nature To endure such oppression, hypocritl-
cally sanctied though il be under the guiSe OF re-
lgion and Professionalism: and II ought not 10 bc en-
dnred. Were an lriShnan, rs am IN American
and Protestant, should cease my effort. Tor the
overthrow OF the Ecclesiastical system Onl ywlhmy
life Bad us is the effect of the Establishment in
England ii is infinitely worse in Ireland. In The
former country, large portion of the population
revere the Establishment itself, and all, II may be
SAID profess the Protestant religion which the
Church represents; Yet, Notwithstanding tins, 80
grea, are tie grievances, multiplied are th@ evils
resulting from the union Of Church and State, that
the :, tenn appears 10 be tending 10 destruction.
Blu, the grievances Of English Protestant Dissent
ers absolutely nothing IN comparison with those
of Irish Catholics They the poore-, part OF the
ponulation, and yet must support NOT merely their
own religious worship, which, tom It's very charac-
Ter. must BE- FAR expensive than hc Protestant
svstenl- but also support tie Protestant system IL
sell. which they ubhor as ami Chistlan The Ec-
clesias,ica stem of Ireland mas been an eiiectual
barrier If there other against the spread Of
Professionalism in that country. The kingdom of
Chris, never has been and never will be advanced
by the use OF carual weapons; II is not OF this
world"
Whatever may b. the ulterior views of the pre-.
ssnt Revolutionary Marty in Ireland, thcv stand nj