The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-05-05
British Tyranny.

Ireland is in poor way. The harder
the effort to loosen the chains OF tyran ny
and oppression which for centuries has
kept the Irish in degradation and icno-
rance, the more firm and unrelentlng be-
comes the grasp of the tyrant. Strug
Cling with persistency and determination
to rise and realize the full fruition Of lib
erty and manhood, oppressed Irishmen
are confronted with statutes, which SAVIOR
more Of barbarous nature and Oriental
despotism than nation whose preten-
sions are those Of enlightenment and Ciyi-
ilization.
The Right Hon. Gladstone, whose pro-
fesssion at the outset of his Ministerial
career was decidedly flatterirg to Ireland
and lovers Of liberty, has placed one dark
and foul stain upon an otherwise brilliant
record in behalf of suffering and oppres-
sed humanity, in the enactment of a
statute which at once throttles the liber
ty of the Irish people and subjects their
actions and rights to the mercy Of the
authorities upon the slightest proyoca-
ton and without even a trial or hearing.
The informers or spies have always been
numerous in Ireland. Now their num-
Der must become legion, and dungeons
and prisons filed to repletion. BY the
provisions of this new law, no person is
allowed the possession OF a pistol, shot
gun, powder or weapon without render
ing himself liable to Imprisonment as a
felon and conspirator. No associatio IS
are pernitted-plots and consplracies
are dreaded, and an ounce Of prevention,
in the shape of strict surveillance is deem
ed better than pound Of cure by bull
lets. Nor is this sufficient. 10 silence
the press, prevent synpath; from abroad
and conceal the atrocities Of English
rule, the freedom OF the press IS 2hregat-
ed and the police allowed complete Jiris
diction oyer itssentlmenIs and utteIa0cea
es. Can slavery be more abject OF hui
initiating to a poweIless people? Can
idespotism deal more cruelty with sui
ects? And this is land of letters andt
refinement Is it to be wondered tina
Ireland makes no progress in the scale
of existence, intelligence and wealth,
when a policy, more or less, ike this,
has been pursued for years, nay for CEN
turtles, by a strong nation?
People may sheer at organizations IN
this country and in Ireland, having the
liberation Of the emerald Isles in view,
but to Us it is a signal that the Irish peo-
pie are determined to still keep alive the
sentiments Of honor and liberty which
so long has struggled against the most
adverse circumstances. and which seem
to be ruling aims Of the people. That
Fenianism will one day achieve It's OBJ
jects, is only question of time. The
discomfort and lac! Of harmony in its
own ranks has tended so far to bring it
into disrepute, and proved futile to its
best aspiration and plans Of operation
In unity there is strength, and this is
promised in the recent Fenian Congress
in Chicago. This done and victory is
ultimately assured, and the inalienable
rights of the Irish people as men and
citizens, secured. However differing
in sentiments on other subjects, all lovers
of freedom can but sympathiZe with Ire
land and t'enianism in their struggles for
a Republic.