The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-19
rur IR1sB LAND QUESTION.

THE IRISH LAND QUESTION.
Tup cable this morning gives us brief abstract
of n.storal letter by the Roman Catholic Arch
bisbop of Cashel, in reference to the recent out
rsges which have been committed in the South
AZ Ireland. The Archbishop earnestly denies
t,e assertion that any formidable agrarian con-
apiracv exists in the island declaring that the
ecent difficulties were chargeable to the conduct
of few desperadoes alone, springing indirectly
from the unhappy relations existing between tho
landlord and tenant, and the hardship and dis
content which result therefrom. He looks for
ward TO the settlement of the land question as a
preventative of the recurrencelof such disturb
ances, and warns the people of Ireland that
their repetition will tend only to estrange and
disgust England, and thereby postpone the day
when this settlement will be achieved.
The views of the Archbishop throughout are
emipently reasonable and forcible, and should
receive the unqualified endorsement of every
Well-wisher of Ireland. If the advice of such
patriotic and candid men be Needed instead of
the untimely appeals of such agitators as O'Sul-
Ivan. the late Mayor of Cork, the welfare of
Ireland, and liberal policy towards her on the
part of the British ruling classes, will be mate
rally accelerated. But if the land disturbances
are to continue the obstinacy of the English
which shall witness the disenthralment of Ire
land indefinitely delayed.
The disendowment and disestabishment of
the Irish Church are great strides towards the
redemption of Ireland but they fall far short of
the goal. The injustice of compelling more
than four-lfths of the people to contribute to
the support of q religious establishment for the
benefit of the remainder is so glaring, that the
public opinion of England has at least been
thoroughly aroused to an appreciation of it, and
the bill which will effect a remedy is progressing
through the House of Commons as rapidly as
couId be desired. On the land question, how
over. Mr. Gladstones Government has thus far
maintained a studied silence. But, while this
has been the case, John Bright has recently
taken occasion to give expression to his own
nriyate views upon the subject, regard
Iess of his relations to the Government as
a member of Mr.. Gladstone's Cabinet. The
views held by him, as might have been expected
are of the most radical character, and involve
in their application an entire reformation of the
Irish land system. In the House of Lords, es-
pecially they have excited great attention, being
denounced by both Russell and Derby, and dis
ayowed by the representatives of the Govern
ment. Yet it is generally conceded that nothing
short of Mr.. Bright's plan will give prosperity
and contentment to Ireland, and, like the scheme
for the overthrow of the Irish Church. it will
receive constant accessions to the ranks of its
supporters until justice, full and impartial, is
eventually meted out to the inhabitants of the
Emerald Isle.
Unjust and oppressive rs has been the estab
lished Church of Ireland, the iniquities and hard
ships of the land system far exceed it. The
Irish Church has been maintained for the benefit
oc oil -,
ropulation, including several hundred thousands
of people in its ranks. The land system, or
the contrary, is the grinding oppression of
mere handful of nonresident aristocrats, among
whom the soil has come to be principally appor.
toned, and whose sole study is made to be the
extraction from the impoverished laborng
classes of the largest possible share ofits products
frequently passing the starvation line, and adding
famine to the other causes which are so rapidly
depopulating the island. Holding his lot
practically upon the mere sufferance
of his landlord the small Irish farmer is entirely
at his mercy, and between the uncertainty which
thus clouds his future and the imperfection o.
the agricultural system in vogue, if he succeed
in finding bread for his family to-day he is com
paratively fortunate, even though absolute wan
may stare him in the face on the morrow. Tha
contentment and prosperity should spring from
such system. the most blinded and headstron!
land monopolist viii not venture to assert. TIL,
cry of ''vested rights" is the only respons
which he can muster, and If he shoulC
continue to adhere to these vested rights
regardless of the consequences of hi
obstinacy and short-sightednesS, thei
fate will as surely be sealed in time as was tina
of the vested rights of the slave eligarchy of tn
United States in human flesh and blood. TIL
land question in Ireland is the great issue whic
the Liberal Ministry of Great Britain mus
eventually face. The overthrow of the Iris
Church engrosses their time and attention fo
the present, but a few months will witness ii
triumph, and then will come before them tn
far more difficult problem-Shall the Irish tenan
be placed on living foothold, or will Englan
surrender her sovereignty over the island, in
volving despoliation of the nonresident lant
owners, ''vested rights" and all?