The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-02

TEE IKsu m AxmICA-How rHyY AHs RwIB- /
sKsrxD AT Hon-we had always hitherto been
under the impression that Irish emigrants to this
country had been thrifty, industrious, and success
full, in . higher degree than those who came from
any other country in Europe. We thought that
the change to them was truly . beneficial enc,
which substituted constant and remunerativo
at eight or ten shillings day in the
cities, and ten or twelve dollars month, with board,
on FARMS for the miserable condition from which
they had escaped in Ireland, from poverty, the
workhouse, or precsrious employment, at eight or
ten cents day for laboring work. 1t would seem,
however, by letter published in one Of the Dublin
newspapers, that our suppoitions in this respect
were quite erroneous, and that the condition
Paddy, in the Dogs or Connemara, the mountains
of Mayo, and the pest-houses of Skihbereen, was
far preferable to that in which he found himself
the free shores of America The letter which cor
reefs our impressions ON this subject was sent
to the Dublin Nation by Roman Catholic
clergyman, who had received it from q friend
for whose good faith and veracity he became
surety. This correspondent makes the very
credible averment that he had witnessed IS much
misery and want in New York, Philadelphia, and
the other principal cities of the Union, as he had
seen in any part of Ireland. We are really very
glad to learn that poor furnishing Erin is in such
state Of prosperity as we infer she must be from
this comparison. We now find that all our sympa-
thies for the want and suffering Of the children o
the Green Isle were misplaced and unnecessary, and
that it most ridiculous absurdity to have been
charterng national ship to carry food to what We
ignorantly called famine-stricken people.
Another very serious evil which Irishmen are
afflicted with in this country is, It seems, accord
ing to the reverend father, herssy and atheism;
and his correspondent adds that they certainly inn
bibe new ideas, both political and religious This
is q grievous fault indeed, and one which, in our
innocence. We never would have charged on the
Irish emigrants. We had too much reliance on the
cody labors of Archbishop Hughes, and his right
reverend and reverend coadjutors in the church, to
believe for one moment that under the pastoral
Of such coed shepherds, any Of the fold Of Judah
could possibly stray into the desert places of inf
deity. And We thought, too, that it would be
about - difficult matter to infuse the spirit of
skepticism, rationalism. or materiasm, into the
minds Of the faithful Irish as it would be to make
them converts to the beauty of the Maine Liquor
law We know that this must be q libel upon their
character, as well rs an insinuation against their
clergy for laxty Of discipline. As to the poll
teal ideas which they imbibe here, will willingly
bear testimony to the change which, it must be
acknowledged, comes over them in that respect,
converting into true republicans those who had
formerly been the contemplate slaves of oppres
sive despotism and grinding aristocracy. But for
this they have the authority and TEACHINGS of tho
Archbishop of New York and his "Catholc Chap
ter in the United States"-and we did not think
this could have given offence to the clergy at home,
much less to the editor Of the Nation.
We must dismiss this subject with one more quo
taton from the letter we have cited and which will
be branded by all who read it in this country, as
embodying fasehood too vile and pal pable for Sc
rious contradiction eel would advise the Irish
people to stay at home, for truly miserable must be
their condition if it be not good what it would
be in America" The emigration from Ireland to
this country, for the years 1919, so, and 81,
amounted to four hundred thousand persons nineteen
twentieths of whom, at least, have since blessed
their stars for their good fortune and of the large
proportion of the rest, may be safely stated that,
if they have not bettered their 4o~a;.;.~ Ia. tus
country the fault lies withthemseves and their own
idle, disslpated habits, and not with the want Of OPP
portunities for the profitable employment of their
abilities. We were really surprised to see such ut
terly false and ridiculous statements published in
respectable republican journal, and endorsed by a
clergyman, whose information, collected merely
from his Pensioners, must have convinced him
that they bore the impress of falsehood and ab-
surdity the most unqualified.