The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-27

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disastrous than the winter of 1867.
What a sad picture is this to contem.
plate. Why is not Irish industry aided
by rich soil and the favors of nature,
sufficient to sustain the Irish people,
Why is Ireland starving while the Wes-
tern United States is literally choked
with food.
The cause and the remedy for this
alarming evil are to be sought where
the English press and the British gov
ernment do not look for it. They can
fnd no cause save that Of "the potato
rot;" and no remedy but tha, of an Eng
lish poor law. The London Times, the
organ OF English sentiment, on this sub
ject, finds sovereign panacea ia a
poor law which the Irish would resist
even in the face of starvation. Lord
Joha Russell has requested the punc-
tual Attendance of his friends at the
opeaing OF Parliament to cooperate
with him in the adjustment OF some
'new poor lav.' Experience has show
that the present mode ofemploying des-
titute laborers in the public works, af-
fords little or no relief. One of the
government officers complains that
"land surveyors, with 10 lcres, land
ste wards, schooolmasters, farmers hold
ing from 10 to 20 lrish acres, in great
numbers, masons, carpenters, black
smiths, tailors, weavers, hucksters,
shoe makers, servant boys, &C." are
intruded into The public employment
to the exclusion Of the really destitute.
The farmers say they cannot eat the
grass that grows on their "ten,' '"twelve
or twenty acres and that they must
have employment. The tillage of the
soil is neglected; the farmers are not
preparing Tor the next seasons crop,
they have no more hope of the potato
and with many 1t is impossible to pro-
cure even sound tubercIes for Seed
The farmers are thus in no better con-
diticn than that of the mere laborer.
The Indian meal supplied has doubt
less as far as it extended, had a tenden-
cy to keep down the price, and has thus
placed within reach of IA portion Of the
population supply Of this article at IA
moderate cost. But this is altogether
inadequate to the wants o fths Irish peo-
pie. Some of the poor laborers have
been compelled 10 travel from 40 to so
miles in going and coming before their
families could be supplied. with their
slender stock of Indian meal. And to
remedy this appalling distress, the Brit
Ish government has nothing better to
propose than Poor lao.
The Irish people are now literally
moved down by starvation, because
there is not food enough in Ireland TO
support them. This Iood no poor laws
will supply. The farmers and the real
cultlvators of the soil are suffering the
land to 20 to waste because change
Of crop is demanded and they have not
the means nor the inducement to effect
this change. These means, no poor
law will supply.
The real truth is, the present suffer
ing of Ireland is not altogether owing
to the failure of the potato CROP
1t is in a great measure the result
of the late suicidal restrictive policy of
England in excluding the food of other
countries, in her ruinons legislation to-
wards ireland, and in the accumulation
Of vast estates in the hands of an alb
sent nobility. Under such political
and social system with plentiful pota-
10 crop, ireland could barely sustain
herself. treading as she does on the diz-
Nv verge from which the Incidental
failure of crop plunges her into the
abyss of starvation. The British gov
ernment alarmed throws open herpolts
but the gran-growing countries thus
Unexpectedly called on, are unprepared
to supply the sudden demand, ncreas-
ed as it has been by short crops on
the continent, The increased demand
will, however, eventually call forth
greatly increased and adequate supply.
The agricultural and commercial indus
try OF our country will be called into
a profitable activity in furnishing foo d
to the Old World.
Substantial and permanent relief to
Ireland can be obtained only by a
change in her political and social sys-
tenn. She demands freedom from the
union which oppresses- freedom from
the shackles of trade-freedom from
the tyranny of the soil. Let the cul-
tivators of the earth have an opportu-
nifty, and they will cultivate the earth,
and if bread is allowed to be brought
to her door, she will be able to pur-
chase it; and If she be allowed to
manage her own affairs. she will with
out aid take care of herself-.M Y. Sun.
Ann InrpNurNr mn ruE 4 ,c,c, .rt-pr