The New York herald., 1870-06-02


was the general belief here that. the Privy Council
would not have enforced the second part OF
the act until at least they had seen how the
first part would have worked, and until they had re-
ceived further provocaton. But nothing as far a.
am aware, occurred in the meantime TO induce them
set the whole machinery Of coercion In operation.
rhe nrst part one cannot help thinking, was severe
enough, and the government can plead no excuse
for enforcing the second.
When it was known that the more rigorous pro-
visions OF the act were not to 90 applied, 1t was the
general opinion that the Prvy Council had exercised
very Wise discretion IN Withholding their applica
tion. IL was thought, ana thought justly, that TO
place large portion OF the country under the full
operation OF the act would not only be vexatous,
but would also be oppressive 10 innocent unoaend-
Ing Inhabitants, who would be made to suffer
for the crimes or q few. The original pun.
ishment was In my opinion, quite proper
tionate to the evils complained Of, ana the
Plvy Council Will find out before long that they
were mistaken In carrying their powers farther.
Had they contented themselves with enforcing the
first part OF the act they would have shown dspo-
sition to seek out the really guilty for punishment.
But now the innocent and the guilty are certain to
be confounded together l do not, assure you.
cxaggerate when say that in the worst days OF tory
ascendancy, when the state OF the country needed
the strong arm OF authority to enforce order more
urgently than 1t docs now, the government had not
greater powers. nor did they use them more un-
mercifuly than at present 1t Is the general opinion
that the people In the proclaimed districts will DO
driven into revolt and indeed. when It Is considered
that their liberties, and ! might almost say, their
lives are threatened, such result ought not 10 ex-
cite surprise.
PENAL PROVISIONS.
Let us see how far, in the proclaimed districts,
the liberty OF the subject Is ahrogated. All persons
are required, before the 81 OF May, to leave at
me police station nearest tler residence aea every
sion. Should any person be foolish enough not 10
comply with this clause OF the act he exposes him
self to the danger OF being imprisoned for two years
Under the twenty third section residents are liable
to arrest; under the twentyfh, strangers wandering
9a Se Rasdens or
found out OF their houses after sunset are liable TO
be brought before magistrate, and unless they are
they were out on lawful business they can be sent,
there and then to jail for six calendar months. Sup.
h@ss he Is liable S to be- Committed
to jail until the next Petty Sessions should the
account fail to satisfy the presiding magistrate.
abode, their business their mode OF conycyance,
whence they came their motive FOR coming into the
they do mol satisfy the magistrate and this is no easy
matter sometlmes) or are unable TO produce sum-
clent security for good behavior, they may be COM
trate condescends to discharge them.
DANGER AHEAD.
before long be reduced to the disagreeabie neces.
cessty OF rendering al account of his actions before
some a t%s Sqsiee ss & saaow wh9 may Dc Impressed
son. though am sure need not say that he Is
one OF the most harmless men alive. Supposing in
some district where l was entirely unknown, l hap
pened to be arrested by some 0fficOus constable,
who might mot very improbable supposition) be as
anxious for promotion q he IS unscrdpuous in the
means OF obtaining It, how could procure any per-
son to go ball for meY might be unfortunate enough
to incur his worship's dspeasure, and Then 1t would
a n 4 90 In
then, OF course, under the act have the power to
send me to prison, which would in all probability.
rience might lead him to suppose. II, however,
he were rash enough to act thus have no power
me- ana the only thing could do Would be- to pro-
test against it, And even this privilege, small as 1t
Is, would in Ireland be denied me-; for the press OF
the country, once so loud III its denunciatlOn OF
OPPRESSION is SO efectuaiIy gagged that no news
paper dares TO whisper word against the injustice.
AMERICAN TOURISTS
can hardly think, for all that, there is a magis.
trate In the country, let his politics his preudices
be what hat they may who would have the elmerty TO
armed In force against me. Persons supposed to be
Americans, or TO be in any way connected with that
the Coercion act. Their country II 1t be no more
their connection Is certain, In my opinion insure
name Of America in this part of the world, and, IN
deea, may say in Great Britain generally, carries
sos weight with It. and has IN tn these Times par
BY the people OF Ireland 1t Is revered while by the
English officials 1t Is feared and respected; but can
not say that they love it, Under these circumstances,
am not in the slightest apprehension with regard
to the coerciye measures now depressing the people
OF Ireland.
In q proclaimed district also the public houses
must md pc closed @ & at sunset under penalty OF i
submit that this enactment Is calculated to do
serious sec. injury to honest publcans, who, as
to sell more after sunset than they are be-
fore it. In fact, the principal trafllc with
early at night ana any law that prevents them from
throwing open their doors at such hours to the pub
llc will deprive them to great extent OF the means
tween the good and the bad publicans? Some, no
doubt may be bad, but there are others who are be-
yond all doubt good, and ought these to be deprived
Of the means OF making an honest ivelihoodY Why
the thing Is absurd II 1t be not worse. But there Is
one sees, which are likely to increase the spirit OF
disafiection without removing or suppressing those
crimes OF which all classes OF the people complained.
BAD CASE AND THE WRONG REMEDY.
That something was necessary to put stop to
those crimes are all ready to admit; had the first
done all that was required, but the infatuaton that
bewtched the Privy Council in enforcing the whole
can only be explained by the weil-known anxiety OF
some members OF that body to coerce the people and
drive them into rebellion.
RADICAL REvoLUTIoNIsM
To have recourse to such rigorous measure
shows, | cannot help thinking, weakness ON the
part OF government, which The people are by no
SLOW SLOW ~ recognizing Ihs government are IN posses
Fenanism and 10 the dsafected state Of the country
generally, and believing, asno doubt they do, that
extraordinary measures were necessary to preserve
peace they had recourse to the act oppressive and
terrible 1t is. Tie state OF Ireland at present s
do not hesitate to say, far more alarming than q
superficial observer OF men and things would be led
to suppose. Arms are IL Is 10 secret, largely i'm
ported into the country. Men, until week or two
ago, openly declared their sympathy and approval
OF Fenanism, and one remarkable Individual went
so far as to say from several platforms throughout
the country that he was six feet two in treason
felony. What was openly ayowed before Will now,
with far greater bitterness and Determination be
declared in secret
The Fenian organization, they say, is strong in
Ireland, but am inclined to think that II Is much
stronger in Engand for In the1atter place they have
greater liberty for action and far less likely to be
detected in the execution OF their designs. The
English towns are la,ge and they are populous; the
Irish towns are small and have comparatively
small population. 1t is easy to escape detection
IN England, but 1t Is very difficult IN
Ireland. Nevertheless meetings are held here night
alter night In the hotels, In the public houses, in
private residences; men are learning their drill In
the woods and fields ut night; the laborers in the
ttair