New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-20

cro,vd of neonlo But TO what purp0sef The toOd
TO be bougbt was seine ten miles of; the tamlshlng
multitude were too weak from hunger to go after IL
and thew died with tho silver in their hands Inc
sea along the neighboring coasts abounded Id nsh'
hnttbere were no nets no boats and or
competent men to use them if there had been. Inc
only device that at all met the occasion was the en-
nlovment of active men as temporary agents over
districts containing some GO 20 townands and the
establishment at suitable places of soup kitchens"
or more properly, of "stirabOut houses, which sup
plied kind of thick nutritious food made OF boiled
peal-the simplest, most wholesome, and most pal
atable food that can be prepared at short notice'
These houses we're placed within two or three miles
of each other so that those who wanted food and
could walk short distance could obtain one good
meal at least day. In this manner, 1929 meals
were freely given in single district for 40 consecu
tive days TO between 1000 and 5000 persons at the
extremely moderate cost OF two pence meal, IN
elusive of all expenses Thus the suffering Of famine
was mtigated. But the permanent remedy for the
state of things that caused it came out of the NAL
ady itself Two things it was absolutely neces-
sary to attempt: First diminutiOn of the helpless
pauper population; and second. higher system OF
agriculture. The first remedy was Emigration Inc
sudden failure of the staple food OF the people par
alyzed them with terror. Half of Ireland was stupe-
fled by the blow. Begging was out of the question:
for all were beggars. The local gentry knew not
what to do: the tradesmen were at their wits end;
the people were struck dumb while the cottiers,
squatters and small holders, unable from hunger to
work. destitute of resources and hopeless OF relief
sank down and died wherever they happened TO be-
The work houses being inadequate to the accommo-
dation of the numbers who sought refuge in them,
immense sheds of timber were erected and the
hordes of paupers crowded in like cattle. The cost
of keeping them there would have more than eaten
ND tho whole income of the estate in prosperous
times: and now the income would be fearfuuy re-
duced for none of these could pay rents There were
no means of employing the multitude on reproduc-
tive or remunerave labor The state of things could
not continue The people must either die or go away
At this juncture an intelligent agent suggested to
his proprietor. the Marquis of Lansdowne, that he
should offer free emigration, at the cost of his estate
TO every man. woman, and child then an Incum-
brance in the pOor-hOuse. On consultation with an
emigration agent, who offered to take them in any
number to whatever American port they fanced, at
reasonable rate per head, be reckoned that if all
accepted the proposition the total cost of transpOrta
ton including a small sum for outfit, and a few
shillings on landing in the New World, would be less
than the expense of supporting them as they were
for single wear. The plan therefore would be
cheaper for the proprietor better for the people and
more advantageous every way 10 the estates. The
MARQUIS had enough to perceive the wisdom of
the scheme and made arrangements for carrying 1t
Immediately lsto effect. The people, strange to
say. for their local attachments were exceedingly
strong welcomed the announcement of it with JOY
and clamored TO get away. They selected care
fully according to their suitability for the expert
ment: were furnished with modest, sensible out
fit of clothng were sent to Cork in charge of com
petent persons who kept them together till the emil
grant ship received them on board; and thus, in
troops of 100 every week they forwarded to
shores. From Kenpare alone $500 paupers we're
shipped in little more than year all free emgrants;
all going Of their own choice not one being forced
by ejectment OF persuasion They did not all con-
duot themselves with proprety, as how should they.
being but half savage Kernesi 1t was
hard to keep them from running away.
from their conductor orfrom the vessel They would
sometimes get loose in Cork or Liverpool and errify
the citizens by their wild ways; but they were in
great spirits and delighted at the prospect be-
fore them. They who sent them out had no reason
to regret the experiment, either as it acted on
themselves, on the people, or on the country to
which they went The accounts that came from
them were generally favorable their voyages were
safely accomplished employment was waiting for
them they made themselves soon at home. They
prospered and sent back 10 their friends large
of money, honestly earned. The new world was ben
The old world was relieved by the removal of many
helpless paupers. The warehouses and pOor-houses
were depopulated the estates fell under regu-
latiOns. Great numbers of the smaller class OF ten
antry, men whose holdings amounted IN value TO
five shillpgs, ten shillings pound per annum and
who could scarcely find means of decent support
even though they paid no rent now voluntarily gave
ND their little plots of land and went gladly to the
far West Their farms were added 10 the farms OF
the adjoining tenants, thus reducing considerably
the number of names on the rent roll. Inc evli OF
,ls,-;et ~
was TO a great degree broken up 1ar equilibrium
was established between the demand for labor and
the supply The Ribbon Societies we're scattered;
agriculture was enabled to go unmOleSted and
farming on scientific principles became at last posi-
BILE Extensive tracts 81 WEI lanG were Iecia Ts
Peruvian guanO was literally used on the best fur
nished estates. New crops were put in--turnlps
wheat and oats. The best plOws and thrashing ma
chimes improved moving and Teaplng machines,
were provided by the landlords, and let out TO the
fenantry at reasonable rates. Cottages were rebuilt
on convenient plans aud in wholesome localities
and An impulse was given TO activity and enterprise
that promised fine results IN wealth, comfort, ana
happiness Land. in some counties, that nad Deeh
dcnlt TO dispose of under the old regime at As per
acre Irish now readily brought 21s or JOS, ana the
whole face of the country once waste anu sIeIie
fields of moderate size. sheltered by belts OF pianta-
ton and covered with rich and abundant pasturage
presented an appearance of beauty IN striking con-
trast with the old desoatOn. When the Marquis OF
Bath visited his domain OF farrey IN looo' the warm
hearted tenantTy peaceful now, ana cohtehteu gave
him greeting fit for o prince. In sixteen years he
had expended Oh his estates neatly 10000 IN perma-
nen+ and substantial improvements; III drainage
$1,000 on buildings. f4OCO on the CONSERVATISM
of tenements 5000 on emigration, Eo,OOO; on sun
dry improvements 200 more. This land was Ell
fectually redeemed ~, Il
Thus the potato rot became directly means OF Of
fectn0 social revolution in Ireland IL created the
land Improvement act ; it brought into existence
the Encountered Estates Court, one OF tne most ii
portaut acts for Ireland passed 1t broke up 10
4 great extent tine system of small farms; " re,
leYed the plethora Of the labor market IL removed
4he needy country gentlemen by forcing them TO sell