The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-31
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
ENGLAND-IRELAND-THE
UNITED STATES.

ltis quite plain that Britain looks with
more real concern to herrelations with
the United States than our own people
were at first disposed to admit. The late
policy Of Peel to concilIate the Repeal
ers Of Ireland had direct reference to
the difficulties which the Premier avow-
ed to be anticipated, growing out the
Oregon controversy.
Publication has been made Of the de-
bate in the House of Commons on the
"Maynooth Grant," and the excitement
in and out Of The House consequent
thereupon. Although this question was
a religious one among the people of
Britain, yet its settlement in accord
ance with the policy of Pee, had close
connection with the political relations
Of the government, and looked to the
paci6cation of the Irish Repealers in
order that in the event Of war between
that government and this, Britain would
not have formidable enemy at home
among her own people TO cripple her
in her operations against the Ameri-
cans. The Maynooth question is sim
ply this. In 1795 an institution called
the Maynooth College was established
by act of Irish Parliament. tits an in
stitution for the education OF Catholic
Priests, with an endowment Of about
$4,000. To increase this fund to
f26,OOO per annum, that the Catholic
Ministry may have the advantages Of
increased means of education, to assist
them in educating the peoples land there
by show liberal feeling for the Irish
Catholics on the part of the British 60
vernment, was the question on which
Peel made his second war speech
against the United States. The BILL,
creasing the grant as demanded has pas
sed the Commons and is expected to
pass the Lords, although it must meet
with powerful opposition from seve-
eral interests.
Carried or defeated, will the meas
ure produce that result which is its
avowed object?-wil it harmonic the
Irish nation and band them together in
the support OF the British Lion, should
he determine to disturb the quiet of the
American Eagle? The intelligent Irish
men of this country think not. They
judge Of the people there by their own
principles, impulses and inclinations.
There is a spirit of liberty TOO firmly
implanted in the breasts of the great
body Of lrishmen to be wrested by col
lege endowments or any canting ex-
pressions of Crown leaders of tolera-
ton for their religious tenets and SCUM
ding promises to right their political
wrongs. Cancellation might so far sue
coed as to disarm the Irish of afI enmi-
ties against the government, but no
Cancellation could make them good SOL
diers in fighting against the people and
government Of the United States
They know too well what our country
and our people are. Between the Irish
men here and lrishmen there, there is
a strong bond of undying friendship,
which would forbid the contention in
arms of one with the other. 1t would
never do for Britain's Queen TO trust
her muskets IN the hands of Irish regi-
ments on this side of the Atlantic, IN
every column of our own soldiery .hev
would be in danger of recognizing a
brother, neighbor or a long-missed
friend, to fight against whom would not
be in the heart of the most loyal.
The statesmen of Britain must en-
trench themselves behind more formi-
dable power than this. They must not
only make peace with the Irish and
convert them into soldiers, but they
must make neutrals ofall the European
powers that now have no love for Bri-
tain, and what will be even more diff
cult to accomplish, prevent the French
people from forcing their King and his
government into the support of the
American Republic.
This much of British policy to res
tore peace at home, in anticipation of
the interruption Of friendly relations
abroad. Will either be realized? There
is even more prospect of the latter than
the former. The end of both is in the
future. In the mean time, while Sir
Robert Peel is coaxing the Irish and
making concessions to O'ConneIl, let
us look at the Oregon question with us
at home. The British Minister SAYS
the rights Of that country to the terri
tory are plain, will be insisted on, and
If need be, will he maintained with
arms. In anticipation of the United
States government insisting upon its
claim 30 the territory, and conceding
nothing foe peace, Ireland is to be pa
cited that she may be made party in
the strife of fleets and armies. All this
buster, bravado, serious threatening
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