The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-06
TILE IRISH QUESTION.

11G 4hlCh w ffDfAVN'
RECENT advices from England show that
the Irish land difficulty has within the last
week or two assumed an unexpected magni-
tude and gravity. The Protestant element,
which, as we asserted few days ago, was tho
real complainant in this suit has at last
openly declared itself in favor not only of
tenant right, but of erecting Ireland into
separate nation, whose subjection to England
should be only nominal. The Orangemen in
Ulster have given distinct challenge to the
Government to use force if it dares Tho
apprentices" of Derry came to an open
conflict with the authorities while contesting
their right to carry q crimson flag in tenant
mass meeting, as commemorative of the old
triumph of Professionalism in that city; while
the Dublin conservatives have formally de-
olered that nothing but national legislature
will save Irelend.
The English press, SO long used to treat
Ireland as though she we're fractions woman,
and to hold Fenian threats in half amuse-
ment and half contempt, are both surprised
and alarmed at this new phase of the ques-
ton. The Protestant population have been
so thoroughly identified with the government,
that, by a strange oversight, the Milesan has
been accepted as the peculiar representative of
Ireland, the exponent of her character, de-
mands, and real needs
1t is a popular error, into which, by the
way, an esteemed correspondent of our own
fell the other day. That "Ireland is Irish
does not necessarily prove that she is Gath
olic; still less that the land sold under the
Encumbered Estates act to Irishmen fall into
the hands of Fenian agitators.
In fact, despite the graver form which the
land difficulty is assuming, and the conse-
quent increased chances of success for the
claimants, the Fenians and that part of the
Irish nation which they represent are placed
in but little better case than before, as is
evident to any candid observer. In the
claims of tenants against landlords for i'm
provements given to land and subsequent
right to purchase, there is tangible injus-
tice to be redressed, matter upon which the
common sense of Protestants in England and
Ireland can be brought to bear, but which
will assuredly be settled no sooner by the
Milesian mode of argument-the occasional
| shooting of a landlord by priests or their
emissaries. The tenaaL claim touches upon
vital question long at issue between landed
proprietors and the laboring class in all parts
of the United Kingdom. Lord Lichield has
already shown that should this stab once be
given to the aristocratic power in Ireland, it
would be fatal in its consequences to that of
England. Even in the outer districts of
Wales the people are awake to the fact that
the tenantry of Ireland are fighting their
battle for them, and it is significant fact
that the Welsh malcontents are represented by
Mr.. Richard, now a member of Parliament,
but formerly dissenting minister.
Yet even when justice is done, as undoubt-
edlyit must be sooner or later it will be regard
less of the old hatred that fires the Fenian
heart against the Sassenach, or their equally
ancient claims to the estates wrested from
them by ''the proud invader 1t is about as
likely that the O'Mores and O'Neills will
regain their land or revenge the wrongs of
| their forefathers as that the Delawares and
Sioux will build their wigwams again in the
streets Of Philadelphia or Chicago. Nor, even
should Ireland become a separate nation, is it
probable that the weight of power so long
resident in the Protestant part of the popula-
tion will ever leave them. However they
may unite with the Catholics now TO serve a
present purpose, the antagonism between
them is deep and ineradicable, and in the
struggle between races numbers will not in
sure power. II is the slow, persistent energy,
the moderation and thrift of the colder.
blooded that wins, despite all justice of old
claims. There is a better chance anywhere
in the world for the Milesiau Irishman than
in his ''own green isle, whore he is ham.
pered on all sides by old hates and thraldom,
and has been forced to prove himself SO long
the most generous, thriftless, and unlucky Of
men. Js-