The sun., 1861-12-07
THE NEW YORK sun
SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. :, 1851.


In spite ofthe repeated dcnials by the English
prees Influenced by motives for which it is not
diiiieuit to sccount,) il is now apparent that
there exists a large deficiency in the staple
crop Of Ireland, and that that country Il no,
threatened with famine, equal, il not rrst-
er than that which in 1857 dccitnatcd the
population and involved the loss Of nearly two
millions Of people. Tho potatoe crop has lately
been dug out, and 1t has been definitely asc,r-
tanned that the yield is less than one
hall the usual average, and in
many thickly populated districts thcr.
does not remain enough to furnish scel for ths
next crop. 1t is a singular fact, and II ntcnsi.
ics the evil, that upon tho richest sols. WHARF
the potatoes were cultivated with the ,rcatest
care, and in accordance with experiment, m,le
Tor that purpose, the loss hAs been greatrst-,he
disease literally leaving none unhlighted-whls
on the poorer boggy lands the results nrc Ic,s
disastrous. Immunity from the disease. how.
ever, Is only the exception, not tho rule; and
from the mouth of the Foylc to the wide ca
tuary Of tho Shannon the deficiency /,
SO great that the population must de-
pend on other than their ordinary foot for OK
istencc, and, If active and immediate stop, arc
not taken to give them new supplies, the world
will bo startled with a renewal Of the horrors
that took place only fourteen years ago.
We have hitherto forborne TO allude 10 this
subject-not from indifference, but because the
first rumors of evil arc often exaggerated. and
we hoped that in the present case subsequent re-
ports would show similar result. But
II is impossible any longer to resist tho evidence
that reaches us from all sides of tho oxtent of
the calamity. Alta recent meeting Of the cler- |
- Of Castelar, 1t was stated, in one of the re.
solutions, that "scarcely one.fourth Of tho DO.
tato crop of this year is safe from tho blight, |
and even this small remnant is 80 inferior in |
quality az TO be unfit for food" The SLIGO /
CHAMPION states that the "peope in the west
OF Ireland are not well of a. in the disastrous
year 1917. The Cork EXAMINER makes A
statement to the same effect; and the Dublin
FREKMAS's Journal says "Oycr onc-half Of
Tho crop is gonc and whether what is left can
bo saved remains 10 be seen.'
These are painful details, and will be received
with sorrow by the whole American people.
At former period when we were less inti-
natoly allied with ireland than at present, a
'imilar calamity called forth their active be-
,eNolencc. In the present crisis tho emergency
: no less pressing; while the ties that
mite the tTo countries are of a far moro
intimate character. A large proportion of
he people of ireland have been attracted
o our shores by our benefcent laws,
nd, voluntarily assuming the privilege, anl
utits OF citizens, have become identified with
i. and constitute a material element of our
reng'h and prosperity. The great events, too
hat are passing around us, have thrown down
lie unjust larriers of race and creed. and the
joaS.-.l.S S.'s..0 .I. s.'"s s0 i"iuy SOii5 ",
he great West has produced an identity o.
and interest which could not other
,iso occur for several generations yet to come.
hey have borne their part nobly in every con-
est in the war TO sustain the Union, and Amori-
ans will not bo remiss in their efforts to alleyi-
to this great calamity that has beiallen the
ountrymen Of MuIIIGAS, CoRcoRAS and
dEAGHER.
The food deficiency in Irland is common this
,ear to several other European nations but
hey all enjoy patcrnal governments who re-
pectiyely employ the national resources to nit
gate the severity OF the famine. The French
Emperor early forSsaw tho evil, and provided
against 1t. But Ireland does no. possess the
power TO use her resources to feed her own poo.
pie, and so they are dependent on the bounty Of
other nations, and especially Of the United
States.
We arc glad to see that tho subject already
cxcites attention, and the duty Of furnishing re-
licris urged by tho press in every part OF tho
country. Tho sympathy too, is not confined
to mere talk. Captain ADAMS, OF Massachu-
sets, has contributed one hundred barrels
ef tour, and offers to command vessel laden
with relief to the suffering people of ireland.
Out mere individual effort can necessaIly ac- |
cemplish little, and wider system OF relief
should be organized. A public meeting OF citi'
zens should be convened by the Mayor at an
carly date, TO take the matter into consdera-
ton. Other cities should Immediately follow
the example of New York, and before 'ho new
,ear opens several vessels laden with provisions
should depart from this and other ports on their
errand of mercy. Congress too, should, and
doubtlessly will, contribute relief if the subject
10. IaEora TINT hody