Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-09-03
sELF-RuLE IN IRELAND.

1t is rather a strange circumstance that
the smaller the population OF Ireland be-
comes, the more does martial and daring |
! spirit take possession of it. When I'VE were
eight millions, we were a peaceful, legal,
and constitutional nation;" but now that we
are reduced to about six millions, we are
ready TO encounter the greatest dangers, and
measure swords with nation having treble |
our population. This, at all events, was the
case on the 9TH of March, when "rising'
of thousands in Leinster and Munster took
place, who were resolved to establish an
Irish Republic.
The English people never thought that
they would witness such an event in Ireland.
They imagined that famine, rackrents, ex-
cessive taxation and an oppressive govern
ment had driven all the pugnaeious spirit
out of the Irshman, and that at length he
had become model OF peace and patience.
But the late outbreak has completely dis
PEELED the delusion, and warned John Bull
that the natives of Ireland are still as fond
of the pomp and din of war as were their
ancestors in the days when the 0'Neills and
O'Donnells led them against the invader.
And if the heroism of the country is doubted,
the manner in which the victims of this up
rising have met the penalty of the law in
ficted upon them is convincing proof that
Inshmen of to-day can suffer the penalty of
defeat as bravely as their fathers.
We recur to these circumstances for the
purpose of showing that the Irishmen of the
present time have not degenerated, and that,
if properly governed, they possess the spirit
to make their country one of the foremost
nations of the earth In war they are not
surpassed; in craftsmanship they have left
their mark in the annals of their own and
other countries; in oratory they have no
compeers, save in the eloquence of ancient
Rome and Greece; and in the humble walks
of life they are pattern for other people.
What sad thing it is that there is no one
Just now amongst us to evoke their spirit for
the peaceful pursuits of their rightsi ma
tive Parliament, we have no doubt would
satisfy most of the enthusiastic Nationalists
of the country. The opening of Senate in
College Green, and giving up Ireland to the
sole rule of Irishmen, would calm down
their martial ardor. That this home rule
will be soon sought for, we have not the
slightest doubt The time is fast approach
ing when the cry for repeal will reverberate
from hill to hill through the length and
breadth of the land. Once the Land and
Church questions are settled, the country
will prepare for still grander agitation.
ssIreland ruled by Irishmen,' will then be
the watchwords of a united nation; for it is
impossible for the country to enjoy the fruits
OF its own industry whilstlt is subject to the
will of any other people. o'Connell, it is
true, agitated the question, and failed tC
u achieve success. But circumstances were
he adverse. He never met the Opportunity
Nv for which he so often sighed. We have
ay fallen upon more propitious days than thos'
ch of the great Tribune. He had but one Ire
ne land to assist him; we have got two. Eu
les rope wished him success, but would Civ
Ct him no aid. We may expect both sympath.
it and assistance in many ways from the Eu
TO- ropean nations. We do not mean to sa.
nut that they will send us armies, for our battl
ir- for native rule must be peaceful one Wa
'us would not suit us at all, as we know tina
il any approach to a hostile encounter woul
in damage our cause. Our great reliance wi
le- be on "Englands Weakness" and on ou
Ut own union and strength. England is no
what she was in the days of O'Connell. L
gb his time the magic of the chance victory Q
in Waterloo was not dispelled, and Englan
err had a certain prestige in Europe. Since he
fp, failure in the Russian war she has been dC
hot scending lower and lower every day, till
n.y. commission of her own officers, who weI
appointed to look into her means of defence
oil declared that she had not fleet to repel a
The invasion. 1t will, therefore, be more eas
ys to deal with her in another year or two tina
'es it was during the time of 0'Connell.
ra- The war party in ireland should try ar
me turn their attention to this question. The
may say that agitation will prove fruitles
wo' and that nothing but the sword can liberia
the Ireland from the grasp England has upC
my her purse and her government But
ney them look at Hungary. For years Austr
was denied that nation its ancient rights, al
any treated all her petitions with scorn. HUI
Inc gary drew the sword, and after a gala
put struggle she was obliged to lay it dow
lder But Hungary did not despair. She adopt
pine a peaceful policy, and waited her "opp'
tunity.n 1t came at last with her defeat
~, sadowa and Austria, in her weakne
W. yielded what she had denied during
very .e ~ ,aa,,,s % 1obor .,,d 10 ~,
I.f as Hungary did, Yes, the aspirations
!" ireland will be crowned with victory If {
~" a. be only wise, and perseveres. Let her
,''", patient, bold, firm, and united, and she '
y y "u achieve sell-rule, without which she '
- " ever be beggar and a slaye.-Dund
e. Democrat
FANNY FERN ON FARMERS WIVES