The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-01

suddenness Of her fall, were silent; here ana there
fell nat upon the OF the public and the nation
alsts, tearing to encounter public opinion by con-
tnuiaS 70 abuse Mr.. Gladstone, ceased their yitu-
from the brow Of tine conqueror. The Church had
no substantial advantage Could arise from its over.
throw. The land question, after ALL was the ques-
81 ns
the atrocities committed by the landed pr0pret0rs
the s9nerings Of the occupiers. the evlctions the
banished millions, the ruined homesteads the evils
OF absenteeism, were all held forth by the national
press In the most prominent light before the public.
only hope lay in the he SETTLEMENT settiement o. this
question. They felt convinced that the man
them justice. Never aid an English Prime Minister
70 such an extent as MIR. Gladstone. they believed
that ne was on their side, and that he would place
them beyond all landlord control Actuated by this
hope they began to agitate for land bill. FixitVof
Pubic meetings were held throughout the length
and breadth OF the country. The landlords trembled
LEST the same vigorous Legislation might be applied
70 them that had been applied 70 the Church, and
they ever were before. They expected ito use the
sou. Their anxiety to live and die in their native
land was clearly and unequivocally expressed. No
one could discover that there was anything likely to
allied to the full. Everything was III their favor
Every one was certain OF success. Even the nation
were about to be removed and 1t may DC presumed
that to them the thought was by no means plea
agtauon for ixity Of tenure they began 10 aaitate
for an unconditional amnesty for
THE FENIAN PRISONERS.
One thing 1t must be admitted, was enough to be
asked for at one time. The new agitation was GER
tam to injure II 1t would not destroy, the effects OF
the old one. The nationalist were well aware OF
this but 1t did not prevent them from urging the
claims OF their friends upon the consideration OF the
government. It was, It's true, work OF mercy,
N hnt n
nationalists commenced It, Meetings were neld all
over the country; Professionals and Catholics liberals
foolish, nl-tmed speeches made by the friends
OF the prisoners the government was abused threat
enG asn 70 Keep nese men IN ls dungeons
plauded and endorsed by the national press. In
stead OF quietly petitionng the government instead
OF stating reasons why these men should not be de-
tanned In prison, they declared with lmpotent inso-
lence that the prisoners must be free II unneces
sary to point out the folly or this conduct Is mani
fest to all Suffice 1t to say that 1t was instrumental
In closing those doors which, ostenslbly, 1t was
these men Would have long since Been liberated I hat
for the ingratrude Of those who had been set free
ana for the ndscreet conduct or the national party
most persons, enough to justify the government in
Withholding an unconditional amnesty, or, indeed
penalty OF their offence against the law.
When 1t became know that the prisoners were
not to be liberared wild, inartculate scream
alists pretended to be greatly disappointed at the
refusal OF the government, but they might have
easily anticipated The result. 1t was entirely Infu-
enced by their own conduct. That it was not other
wise they have only to thank themselves. Stll
they complained that 1t was useless for Irlshmen to
expect justice from England that British antipathy
towards Ireland was still as strong as ever; that
Irish dlsoyalty was justified by English tyranny;
long as she was ruled by foreign power; and that
her only hope lay In the repeal OF the union and in
OF this KIND continued to be preached for months
me more Ignorant classes were affected by 1t; they
did not expect anything from England, because
dignation seized them and disturbances were
the consequence; night after night the streets
and Shouting Say anGoads ans
their agents were shot down in the morning and
evening, at MONDAY and at midnight, and in most
cases the criminals escaped; violence and disorder
were rampant, and the country seemed to be DRIFT
Ing into q social war. The nationalists would not
accept OF anything from the English government,
not even lana blu. until the prisoners were set
free. A tenant right meeting was dispersed by the
Fenians In Limerick, and collision ensued between
the rival parties. Another meeting, held for the
same purpose was disturbed in Louth and Lord
Be Belle who presided. declared that the raiders
few persons Of influence. - :"
:, This was, beheve the first public intimation Of
the union between the conservative landlords and
the Fenians. The landlords dreaded Mr.. Glad
stones forthcoming land blu, and although they
despised and detested the Fenians they aid
not disdain to utilize their services to gain their
own ends. The means made use Of to secure their
temptible. The Fenians IN the country, who are
chiefly farm laDorers were led to expect the assist
ance OF the landlords In procuring for them an acre
hopes before them the Fenians were of course only
TOO glad 10 do whatever their patrons required OF
men, however inconsistent the request might be
encouraged to agitate for what was called labor
ers' blu, and 10 prevent the settlement Of the land
question until their own grievances were removed
This little man9uvre on the part OF the landlords
was intended to convince the government that the
Irish people did not for land BILL and that it
was not worth while Stirring feeling a
measure that was neither required nor looked for
Inc object n the Landlords had IN view was come
and as lar as possible, to preserve their own 1nde
pendence and power.
THE LAND BILL.
Unfortunately they were but too successful. The
land BILL though the best measure OF the Kind ever
proposed did not realize the wishes the expecta
grievances Of the tenant nor took the power Of
arbitrary eviction from the LANDLORD. The hopes Of
this they were deaneG % be W
cred, bghted. blasted for another generation; the
old people, who had chung with such desperate
tenaciy TO the old land must now loose their hold;
other chimes with VAIN regrets and broken hopes
The land bill Of course did not please The national.
lists, and 1t was denounced by the national press.
The people were again counseed not to expect any
thing nom England, ana the sham land bill, as It
was called, was referred to as proof Of English In.
sincerity and deception; Acting upon this advice,
he people aOe was s Ss 70 law snd INTO
their own hands, and unfortunately in too
many instances, this alternative was resorted
to. 1t Is not necessary to refer TO the
numerous agrarian outrages that followed to the
insane bowling OF the national press or to the ais
tracted state Of irish society Suce 1t to say that
the ableat the best the MOST liberal government
that ever ruled this country was forced spite OF
ITSELF to check the progress OF social violence by
one Of the most rigorous coercion acts ever enrolled
upon the statute book Of England.
Whatever feelings OF indignation this measure,
when first proposed, may have excited there are
few who do not now recognize the wisdom Of Par.
iiament In passing 1t. 1t has to some extent eur
tailed the extravagapces Of the national press and
has also succeeded in checking agrarian Violence
which, had 1t been allowed to proceed, would most
assuredly have occasioned enormous loss OF life.
The nationasts complain that 1t destroys the liberty
OF the press but this IL not true It does not inter-
fere with the legitimate rights and liberties Of the
press 1t allows every journal IN the coun.
try, to express its opinions fairly. openly
and honestly; but checks and. as
is slavery 10 disguise. Though the act was undoubt-
eddy justified by circumstances, still every Irish
mar m nat Of yyoo