The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-29
THE UNION.



The London Times is evidently alarmed at the decrease
of population in the Emerald Isle, and this subject
makes the following SUGGESTIONS
The bare facts OF the case, well as some sensible
remarks which published yesterday, under the head
of The Irish Census" suggest some very grave ques
lions. To what extent will Irish emigration and Irish
depopulaton proceed and how far is the example likely
to be followed in this island There is always great
deal TO be said Tor the stau quo and the safest
10 predict considerable change. But they who expect
nothing out OF the way are sometimes disappointed Ten
years ago would have been laugheda who should
have ventured foete that. before the expiration of
that period failure OF the potato would reduce the pop
ualion OF iceland 10 less than IT thirty years ago,
and would send more than million across The Atlantic
Less than ten years ago we remember 10 have seen it
affirmed that nothing would ever induce an Irishman to
enter workhouss apply for public relief Facts, how
ever sometimes more paadoxcal than opinions, and
we find ourselves in the full tide of of thenost
considerable facts with which history acquants We
may, then, venture 10 ask question which would have
sounded ridiculo0 ten years ago How far will Ire
land leave Ireland, and Englan follow after her !!
1t is least question for the gravest considera.
ton quarter OF the Irish peasanry is already the
opposite shore OF the Atlantic, and that quarter repre-
sents much larger proportion OF youth, strength,
~, and skill What IS gone attracts what remains
pels. While the Americans have received far greater
number than they thought possible be admitted,
their opportunities and enterprise have increased in
astonishing ratio. This decade marvellous in
the annals OF marvellous people, has been as fertile in
new States, new cities, new railroads, new canals,
lines OF maritime, lake, and inland navigation,
uacores, and new mines, il has been in it's in
creased population. Though the laborers many the
harvest still great Is it probable that this prospect
will soon lose It's fascination IN the eyes OF the Irish
peasantry They know what they will find in the Uni
ted Sales-what is there in their own country 10 delain
them al home! Even the mortality and the casualties OF
an emgrant ship are tri1lDg compared with those OF a
workhouse They melted and assisted by those who
have gone before Are there really no bounds TO this
emgralion or even probability OF its being confined to
lis present amount Civil war between the States OF the
Union, dreadful epidemic, might check the emgra-
uon; but that would be only Tor time. On the whole
we hold il safe 10 reckon Ireland being still further
depop dated, and the United States still further peoped
IRON that island.
Blu, why should the population Of Ireland be reduced
say TO four or hve millions Should that indeed,
10 pass, II mus, and will involve great changes in the
social and political state, not only OF Ireland but OF Great
Britain also must greatly increase the value OF labor
and the appreciation OF the aborer throughout these isles
For whole generation man has been drug in this
country and population nuisance 1t has scarcely en-.
tered into The heads OF economists that they would
have to deal with deficiency OF labor The nexhaust
IDLE Irish supply has kept down the price OF English la
bor whether in the field, the railway the factory, the
army, or the navy-whether al the sickle, the bod, OF
the desk We believe that for fifty years the least la
bor taking lis quality into account, has been cheaper
tins country than IN any part of Europe, and that this
cheapness OF labor has contributed vastly to the improve
ment and power of the country to the success OF all mer
camille pursuits, and 10 the enjoyment OF those who
have money to spend. This same cheapness has
placed the laboriHg classes most etpctualy under
the hand of money and the heel Of power Blu
will there not be change and beginning OF changes
when our great reservoirs Of human labor begin Il
iall short-wben every employer OF the people, from
the authorities al the Horse Guards and the admiralty II
the occuper oil hy acres or TO the possessOr OF half
dozen lace machines, begins to call in vain for NOR,
hands! Will 1t not be day of change when, instead o
two men being after one master two masters will be aie
one man Perhaps il will be thought at all events h
condition Of The laborer will be much bellered tina
there will be English emigration Or that we are no
sure. What keeps The Engiisn aborer at home IS hi
profound ignorance, his want OF versatility, and his habit
OF dependence But these pecuarties will be much at
ected by any social changes that shall make the lahore
more actually independent than he now is and we cal
conceive great demand for labor, skilled unsklled
increasing emigration instead of REFRESHING it. Suci
changes will give the laborer the means, the combna
on the sell management and perhaps also the increas
ing quarels between master and servant the povocaoi
necessary for trying new country.
II all depended on what is called the market OF labor
the population had fallen 10 certain level
labor would command such price as would overpowe
all inducements 10 emigration. But besides the mar ke
OF labor there things not quite so self adjusting
though quite important, TO the interests OF labor. Thu
institutions OF the country are adapted to The actual con
dton OF the aborer-to the actual rate OF his wages
the actual sphere of his expectaons-ne actual calbr
OF his ntegence-o his actual education sympathies
and manners But these institutions. the work OF ages
easily adjusted 10 rapid change Should the la
boers OF this country find that they masters, an
that the of wages depended no longer on the decision
OF the mark table and should the discovery be mad
quicker in manufacturing towns, who does no
industrial, but also in political calculations! Tn
parliamentary, the judicial and the ecclesiastical system
of the country feel the unwonicd presence OF rud
and newly conscious energies below the present snoo
surface oil things. Already we behold vast assima
ton and mixing OF peoples The last ten years bav
done bring and man together, and 10 desro.
the political well the geographical barriers betwee
Englishman, lri.hman, Frenchnan, and German, tina
any previous century in the history of the world Sue
changes these cannot fail 10 dsengage the rising gen
Grafton from the ties OF custom and place and ena
Bile them to fight their way better in the battle of IN
world When masses are no longer either lnsuale
by want OF communication, or encountered by Their owl
numbers how will they preserve that humility which
as convenient their employers as II is comfortable Il
themseves This the time TO consider these questions
for the working population Of these islands is to ac
guire greater actual power ii is high time they SHOULD
be prepared and the house put in order for so great
peIilous change.
NEW WHITE GOODs.-The subscriber. have received al
IN supply white goods 10 which they invite The at
In their assortment be found he follow