The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-19

noes and intractability. is poured into the very
heart Of the Anglo American population, forced
through all it's channels and driven TO lie most
distant recesses. mighty power mites and as
similates that which seemed irreconcilab!e
Tho change which has taken place in the popu-
lation and condition of Ireland 10 inadequately
expressed in the fact, prodigious il is, that dur
ing the ten years ending with 1850 about 900 900
have emigrated from that island. That Gale ula-
ton is itself below the truth, for It assumes the
emigration from Ireland into Great Britain 10 be
more than that from Great Britain to the colo
MES or foreign countries. The change is made
quately expressed in the gloomy figures at the foot
OF the census return, putting the deccnnal de-
crease at 659 300 There two important con-
siderations that must aggravate the force OF this
statement In the fret place, the population OF
Irish cities and towns has very generally increased
during the ten years included in the census. Dub
lin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford. Belfast, Galway,
and many other places OF which return has not
yet been made have increased, either from Their
own comparative prosperity, or from the influx Of
refugees from the neighboTng determinations.
When these towns, therefore, arc deducted, the de-
population OF the rural districts ID much greater
than appears IN the grand total and that depopu-
lation, we know, ID still going on. The second con-
sdcration is the greatly increased proportion OF wo-
men, and the probability of the dsproportion being
increased instead Of diminished. In the year 1871
with total population Of It's. 1874 the OF
men over men was 1876 972 Had the same pro-
portion been found under the diminished popula'
ton OF 1901 the excess would nave been only about
los 900, The actual excess OF v omen, however, In
1851, as appears from the census, was 1872 $40 IT,
then, the former excess was n natural and proper
one, the latter excess was 81 900 beyond the natu
raj proportion, and there 10 now that number of
women in Ireland beyond the demands-that is,
beyond the usual female occupations of the coun.
try This fact assumes still further gravity when
il considered that the ccnsus of this metropolis,
and other populous districts of Great Britain, ex'
hibits similar result; 80 that there ID not much
prospect of the redundant women Of Ireland being
absor bed in this country. The increased OF
women cannot but have injurious consequences in
On island which offers little female employ.
ment-wherc houses OF IA better Glass; good shops,
and manufactures so few The fact suggests
grave doubt whether, after all, it is wise to leave
irish emigration 30 entirely to spontaneous and
accidental causes; and whether for our own good
at home, as well as for the colonies it may not be
worth while to promote female emigration at the
public expense ON much larger scale than has
hitherto been attempted.
AS for Ireland herself, resign ourselves with
out reserve, though not entirely without misgivins,
to her continued depopulation until only half or
third of the nine millions claimed for her by
OConnell remain. We may possibly live TO
the day when her chief produce will be cattle, and
English and Scotch the majority Of her population.
The nine ten millions who by that time will
have settled in the United States cannot well be
much less friendly, and will certainly be much
better customers, than they now are When the
Cet has crossed the Atlantic he begins for the first
time in his life, to consume the manufactures of
this country, and indirectly to contribute to its
customs. Unquestionably there is much that is
consoatory, and even comfortable, in the extra
ordinary that we witness in Irish affairs. We
have said that, while we willingly acquiesce in it
we cannot do without u shadow Of misgiving
Snew and bone, after all, are no contemplate CON
sideration. whole people are not to be despsed.
and dismissed as if they were rubbish. We may
miss those whom we lose. Brethren made for
adversely, and should that hour come, we may
have reason to remember the Borrowing departure
of several millions of broad shoulders aud stall
wart forms, containing hearts which, with all their
fcverish cravings and tumultuous passions, were
never known to be craven untrue in the presence
of foreign foe.