The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-20
Irish Petitioms---Repeal of the Union.


Irish Petitions--Repeal of the Union.
In view of the great events which are now shak-
ing the old world to its centre the condition of Ire
land, and her relations TO England, and the world,
are peculiarly interesting Isolated from the rest
of Europe, but half subjugated and never conquer
ed, she has been ruled with the bayonet for ages.
The grossest tyranny has been always her lot, and
whilst mind was progressing and asserting its SUI
premacy over matter, she alone, until within
few years. has been exception to the rest Of the
world Now, however, she has arisen and de-
spite of the concentrated military force of her OPP
pressor, she is waging war-a peaceful war
which must, in the nature of things, be crowned
with success
The great difficulty that the cause of liberty has
had hitherto to contend against Ireland has been
want of unity among her people, and disincllna-
ton on the part of the Catholic clergy take part
in any movement which might lead to the she'd
ding of blood. This dsunion planted by the
government in the establishment of national
church, to the support of which the people of every
faith were bound to contribute-Catholic as we'll as
Protestant. This extremely unjust measure, very
naturally arrayed the Catholics against the Proes-
tlnts, and the attitude which they MAINTAIN to-
wards each other has always been hostile. There
never were, In fact, but two parties in Ireland
protestant and catholic The Protestants were COM
posed of the men of wealth and influence, and they
alone received government employment or Office,
and the Catholics were composed of the mere Irish,
as they termed, and were alwayslooked upon, as
indeed they are in reality, even to this day. Sc
parate and distinct race and people. AS long ths
disunion was preserved, Ireland was incapable of
,la1
pleased her masters.
AT the present time, Ireland does not present this
feature Of house divided against itself Years
of agitation and discussion of the subject of the
ropriety of repeating the connection with Eng
and, have served to strip II of all its completely,
and men of all parties Protestant and Catholic, have
arrived at the deliberate conclusion that their coun.
try should not be legislated for by foreigners
There is, therefore, unity at last, among the
Irish, on one subject, and that the most important
on which they could consult; and what is more,
the Catholic clergy have given in their adhesion to
this union, and have identified themselves with it
TO great extent.
Truly, the people of Ireland have been long in
coming to this conclusion. How they could have
been so long divided in opinion on a subject, very
slight consideration Of which would immediately
lead to almost self evident conclusion, can only
be accounted for by the bitter prejudice with which
each party viewed the other. The following sta
tlstics, which we take from the report of speech
recently delivered in Ireland, will show al glance
whether or not Ireland has profted by her connec-
ton with England. In 1892 the balance of trade
between Ireland and England, was E35O, 900, and
upwards, In favor of the former in 1896, the linen
trade had increased 14S per cent above what il had
been IN 1850; In 1900 the national debt but
f20, 900 000 and the number Of operatives engaged
in industrial occupations ], 400. 900; in 1885, with
q population of more than seven millions, only
1850 were so employed; in 1910, the exports of
manufactures exceeded 9500 900, and in 1916 did
not amount to 100000 In 1850 the linen cloth
exported from Ireland was 1S 746 9O2 YARDS and in
1876 1t was 46,705,3l9 yards-that is, it had in
creased at the rate of l4S per cen--and the Linen
Hall is now barrack for foreign soldiers! Here
Is picture of Ireland before and since her union
with England From being large manufacturing
and exporting country, she has dwindled down to
almost nothing, and her people are forced to de-
pend upon precarious root for subsistence, and
in case of its failure, they have no resource but to
depend on the charity of the world, die by STAR
walton and fever as hundreds of thousands of them
nave uoHe WitllH the last TWO years.
The people-Protcstan and Catholic-having thus
united in demanding a repeal of measure which
they conceive has been the cause of all their mise
ny, have been for months past armng with grea
vigor. The mechanics of England can scarcely an
swer the demand for muskets and other species of
fire arms, while the native backsmiths are engaged
exclusively In the manufacture of that formidable
weapon, the pike. The Irish press and the Irish
leaders are, meantime, disseminating the most
violent doctrines, defying the government and
boldly avowing that they are but waiting their OPP
portunity 10 strike. There is no concealment-no
secresy-no password. Everything is done open.
ly and above board-under the very nose Of the go
vernment, and in the broad sunlight, the people
pracuse rife shooting, at a target made to rescm-
bic the person Of the Lord Lieutenant. The go
vernment is concentrating all its strength tomeet
the approaching Storm but they afraid to strike
The people are almost unanimous, and the firing
OF a single musket in Dublin would be the signal
for revolution that would envelope the whole
island in its embrace Both the people and the 90
vernment apparently are determined to act on
the defensivc--lndeed, the people avowedy So
Troops are posted IN all the public buildings
cannon are double shotted, and placed in the
most commanding positions; the soldiers have
for time past slept under arms; the public
squares are used as encampments, and as a ma
tural consequence of such state of things, trade
and business Of all kinds are at stand, and no.
thing is talked Of but revolution, and determine
lion the part Of the people, TO be true to them
selves when the emergency comes.
Such a condition of affairs az this is, cannot
last, nor is it expected TO continue much longer.
collision is inevitable or the cesson of the repeal
OF the union must come quickly Should that COLI
sion come, the most fearful carnage will be the
consequence; for the most intense hatred is engen-
dered on both sides, and war to the handle will be
waged. No sooner, however, will that collision
occur, than England places her existence az a mo-
narchy in jeopardy; for materials, the most in
fammablc are piled mountain high at the foot Of