Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-21
PUBLICAN NOMINATIONS.
Mp FPOUDES LECTURES.

The distinguished historian, James An
thonv Froude, delivered the first of his
series of lectures, in New York on Wednes-
day evening last. The subject of these
lectures is the connection between England
and Ireland, and judging by the report of
the first they will be all that might be ex
pected from their celebrated author.
Mr.. Froude hold. that England and Ire
land cannot properly be separated. If
England should give up Ireland it would
be like committing political suicide. A
comparison Is made between the course
Of the Irish and Scotch in relation to Eng
land, IN which it is argued that the quar-
rels, jealousies, feuds. and divisions among
the former have made Ireland in good
Part what It is, while the Scotch being
united as people were able to make fair
terms with England and enjoy equal priv
ileges in the government. mo Irish |
Prince says Mr.. Froude, refused to as
sist the British invaders if he could help |
himself to slice of his neighbours do
MAINS '.In fact, in the words of an
other historian. whenever one Irishman
was on the spit three other Irish could be
found to turn it.
The aspect of England he said was this
separation We cannot grant, all else we
are willing to acccde to-" The Irish
should be managed on principles of plain
natural justice, then he thinks they will be
satisfied. America will have word to
say about the matter; when she tells the
Irish they have had justice, and if they
desire independence they must fight for it,
then they will be content. We may adj
wise to give them separate governments
but this he thinks England will never
grant.
Mr.. Fronde speaks of the influence of
the clergy as not being favorable to the
cultivation Of peace and unity between
the two peoples. The Irish have been
trained to believe in fighting. To plumber
his neighbours goods and split his head
with battle axe, was considered the
right thing for chief to do They were
nursed." says he, sat the breasts of Irish
nurses, who taught them Irish legends,
and they listened in the hall to the old
harpers who sang them the glories OF in
testine bloodshed. Edward III, saw this
decadence with grief, and endeavored to
stem the tide. He framed strong edicts
against the Irish Normans who adopted
Celtic habits; but he might as well have
whistled to the partriges of the hills as
ask a Geraldine to cast off the usages
that had penetrated to his soul. The at
tempt was given up, and Ireland was left
to herself. She was free indeed, but her
people were slaves. Mankind are to be
divided into those who work and those
who steal, into those who deserve to live
and those who deserve to be hung. More
than halt of the Irish were in the latter
category, and it is idle to say that such
country deserved its freedom The lee
turer quoted a report made in Henry the
Seventies time. by which it appeared that
there were at that time sixty chief cap
tains, who lived by the sword, and divers
petty chiefs of the same kind; also thirty
great Norman chie1ains who also lived
by the sword. All Of these made war.
and obeyed only those who were strong
enough to make them. But the common
folks were as miserable as men could be
and live.
When the five lectures arc concluded
the Irish question will be pretty warm in
many quarters in this country. Mr..
Froude speaks boldly and will arouse fierce
opposition. If he speaks the truth he
must say unpalatable matters for both
sides to the controversy. His position is
to give Ireland all that justice demands
she should have, but not to yield separa-
ton. This is more than the English gov
eminent has been willing to do. 1t has
taken some steps in that direction recent
~, but they have been tardy and wruno
from it reluctantly. These lectures will
arouse discussion and perhaps create a
better understanding where ii is so sadly
l.