Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-11
THE WRONGS OF IRELAND.

In his speech at oldham, December IS,
Mr.. Gladstone said:
a. We have been reminded within the
last few months of matters connected with
the condition of ireland in a manner 10
which we we're not accustomed. We have
sOrroWlully brought home 10 our minds |
this idea, that there is 4 war being made |
by misguided men-not on the government,
not on public authorities only, not on any
particular class, but on society at large.
This is tire nature of the war which was
indicated By what has taken place in Man
chester, and since then in dierkenWell.
These acts ought to bring blush upon the
cheek of every man who belongs to the
country on rejecting that actions 20 wicked
and atrocious can be practiced by men 80
deluded--I will not say but that they be-
liege that they are doing good. Society
will discharge its duty. The laws Of the
country will be maintained-justice will be
administered firmly and strictly, but hope
calmly.
at is very difficult to keep the heat out
Of the blood when we see proceedings of
this kind going on, but let no one of us
forget the principles of justice-those prin-
ciples which give every accused man fair
play-those principles which forbid lis 10
mistake the enOrmity Of the crime ior
cIearness of evidence-thOse principles
which bind us to give even in such actions
as these aimed at the very life and heart
Of society, every chance Of escape that is
given to man arraigned for picking a
pocket. All these principles are so sure
and vital, that il, on our own part, we were
10 allow them to be compromised, we
should ourselves DO much greater per-
manent injury than any Of these miscreants
will be able TO do.
Gentlemen, whilst thus maintaing the
law, administering the law, firmly uphold
ing its authority, and fnding-abundant
force 10 secure it, we must not forget 10
ask ourselves whether the condition Of
ireland ia such as il ought TO be; whether
we have put ourselves in. the right;
whether we have given to that country the
full benefit Of wise and Just legislation. If
we have not done 30, We must not be
ashamed TO endeayor TO put ourselves in
the right. We must not get ON the high
horse and say we will entertain no ques~
tions with regard TO measures of relief I'M
ill what iscalled Fenianism is extinguished.
No. When you attack social evils, don't
attack them in their manifestations, but
attack them in their roots and in their
causes. The roots and causes are deep in
human nature. These monstrous evils,
which must be met in every way, would
not have existed had we pursued a wiser
aud iuster course in regard to Ireland; and,
therefore, l thank you and this municipal
body Tor having pointed to the condition
Of Ireland as one of the questions that has
most imperative claim on the care, atten'
ton, prudence, and justice of the Legisla-
ture."
In another speech at Southport, Mr..
| Gladstone said:
'When / proceed to give you a candid
! opinion, and one which is not new opln-
| ion, on the subject of Fenianism, feel
because, being in opposition to the eXecu-
| tive government, as regards their political
| ideas upon a multitude Of questions
| feel that there is a temptation TO be too
critical in scrutinizing the details OF their
proceedings on these great sublects. But
our duty is 70 consider them in the hight OF
champions Of the pablie law, as the organs
and expOsitors OF those principles which
are necessary for the safety Of society and
that therefore, whether we differ from or
agree with them in matters politically con-
tested, they have precisely the same claim
on MS as if we were among the most de-
voted adherents for a strong and untlneh-
ing support in the endeavor TO maintain
the supremacy Of the law and TO protect
the lives and property of the people. In
my opinion il is a great advance IN mo-
dern civilization which has led TO the
lenient treatment of political offenders, an
evidence of which am honnd 20 say We
have an illustrious example in the pro-
ceedings that have followed the concln-
sion of the dreadful and desperate wal
waged between the North and the Sontt
Of the United States Of America.
"Lenity to political offenders | believe
to be alike wise and just; but altogethel
deny and ] speak not now of persons bu
of Of acts-I altogether deny that act
such as we have lately seen are entitled L
the immunities, the partial immunities anC
lenty of treatment that ought TO b,
granted to oflenses properly political.
know not who il may please or who it MAJ
ofIerd. hut in my opinion there is deel
moral faint and profound degradation il
this thing which we call Fenisnism.
/
lishmen pride yourselves "a being the frs
among the nations Of the world in tn
sense Of public Justice, have We treate'
Ireland as we have Scotland2 If We hs,
endeavored to govern the Scotch according
10 the English nation and ideas, / asl
whether they would have been the con
tented community which they nov are
| fCheers. Now, gentlemen, in speaking q
that unsatisfactory condition Of relation
| which / admit connects itselfin consider
able degree, though in an indirect method
| with the recent horrible manifestations,
am far from meaning that these dreadf
crimes can be the object Of sympathy i
Ireland. My belief is, that even the sym
q patty which has been shown withthe thre
' men executed at Manchester was procure
a by erroneous statements Of the case an
groundless imputations on the administrs
p ton Of Justice. With regard to the nor
3 recent outrage, the matter is 20 clear that
4 feel satisfied no man will be able 70 afii
! upon any portion of the Irish popGlatio
q the charge Of sympathizing with suc
enormity. Hear, hear.
"But this is the state Of the case. W
have not in Ireland that degree and amour
Of active loyalty TO and respect for the la
Q which is necessary in order 20 consttut
a thoroughly well ordered and united con
munity. Hear, hear And we have tn
painful circumstance, that whilst larl
portions Of the Irish population from yes
= to year have iefl the shores of the countT
u 10 pursue their fortunes in q foreign Lam
they have carried with them, along with
- patient and tender attachment to the sol
something that almost might be describe
as fierce resentment, an inextiBguishab
aversion to the authority of the govern
ment and the institutions of the countr
And for my part, gentlemen, l own / 3
. not satisfied when l hear people say, 'Ae
- that is so ; but it is because they are so u
At reasonable Well, they may be unTe
M sonable We are all unreasonable more
10 less. We are all unreasonable. especial
ms when we have suffered wrong. Hear, hear
e.. Aud depend upon it we are now going
H. enter into controversy with laWle
\. power that aims its blow not at wealth. n
n at property, not al government, not at ari
e. tocracy, not al any one or class, or porto
or community, Int at public order and
the peace Of society. And if We are