New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-02
THE IRISH QUESTION.

ITS GRIMES DETESTABLE-THE FLAWS IN TIE
IRISH ORATORS ARGUMENT foOCHhp ,-,,l,tis
rARIY IRISH EMIGRANTS TO AMERICA
MAINLY PROrEsTANTs-REFORMED TENURE
LAWS AND NOT SEPARATION IRELAND's BEST
POLICY 80.
A full report of the reply of James Anthony
Froudo to Father and other critics Is subjened
The historians appearance in Association Hall ON satnr
ay evening was greeted with cheers aud great applause
He said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; II my object in coming to
this country draw attention 70 the Irish question:
Imay so far, be said TO have succeeded Ihayo sue
ceeded, also, beyond my expectation, In eleiting
counterSatemen containing the opinions OF the irlsh
people on their past history the most complete the
most symmetrical, the thoroughgoine which has
vet been given TO the world. The successive points
taken by Father Burke have been long famiiiar TO
me some in ono book and some in another. But
nowhere have so many OF them been combined so
artistcaly and not until have they been presented
in what may be called an authoritative FORM Father
Burke regrets that should obliged him to reopen
wounds which De would have preferred TO have lett
closed conceive the other hand that a wound is
never healed SO long there is a MISUNDERSTANDING
England and Ireland approach each other only on
the basis truth and long Irish children are fed
with the story which Father Burke has elegantly told
so long they regard England with eyes Of utter de-
tesaton until full atOnement be made for past wrongs
II Father Burkes account is true let England know It,
look il in the face and acknowledge IT. III It be an
Illusion or tissue OF Illusions then il is equally desirable
that the IRISH should and bridge OF solid fact
be laid across the gulf that divides u.s.
TIE HISTORIANS MOTIVES.
subject Of this kind only be successfully treated
from the platform II the audience viii bear their share
of the burden II they will test by reference what they
hear compare evidence and anayze it. You Will learn
more the books to which shall refer you than you
can learn from the time which shall take in ad-
dressing yOu. shall myself venture TO Indicate the
particulars where Father Burkes narration specially
20 oufhc
an Irishmans view should be different from English
mans view natural and inevitable but tho difference
must be limited by facts which easily ascertainabe
When they are not ascertainabe esewhere-as, for in
stance when Father Burke attributes words 10 which
never utteredI shall venture to speak with authority
j must lead of with point of this kind
The Father says have come to America to ask for the
extraordinary verdict that England has been right in
the manner in which she has treated Ireland for 200
years Considering that have drawn heavier indict-
ent against England in the course Of my lectures than
she win probably thank fort considering that have
described the history of her connection with Ireland
from tho beginning a scandal and reproach to her,
must meet this assertion with simple denial. No
one who knows Ireland now cen he satisfied with
its present condition. There Is an agitation for
separate Irish Parliament, which it was
supposed that pnbic sentiment in America
generally approved think for myself that there are
certain definite for Ireands good which she
could obtain easily from united Parliament than
she could obtain hor Father Burke goes on
70 suggest that England deoayng empire, that her
power Is broken, her grown feeble, the days Of
AIacaulay's NewZalandor not far off, that England is
afraid Of the growing strength Of its Irish in the United
States the eight millions OF taem who have come from
old country and the fourteen millions Of Irish de-
scent. scarcely becoming for two British subjects
t. De discussing this country whether Great Britain
Is in state OF decadeuce. Laughter ard appause.l
England is afrgl, however, and deeply afraid She is
afraid Of being driven TO again those measures
Of coercion against Ireland which have been the shame
of her history But Father Burke's figures. confess
startled OF the 42o0O,CJO OF American citizens
2OOOO9O we're I,ish sprung from Irish parents
lIAughterl Was this possibel 1 referred TO the
census Of 1870 aud stl more Coufounded.
Tho entire number OF immigrant foreigners who
then in the United States amounted 10 5,556556
OF these under 100000 Irish. The entire num-
Of children born OF Irish parents under 2OO9O0o
also From these figures it follows Father Burke is
correct that in these two last years there must have
come from Ireland less than 100000 persons or more
Than the entire population OF the island ana that in the
same two years the Irish mothers must have produced
not fewer than 100000 miauts lGreat laushterl
knew that their fertility remarkable bat not
prepared for such astounding Illustration OF 1t. IRE
newed laughterJ
Still specializing my motives. Father Burke inclines.
on the whole to give credit patriotism He thinks
I have TO speak for my country, and he is
good enough to praise for doing so. am grateful
for the compliment but cannot accept it, Ihaye come
not to speak for my country but for his. Appausel
believe that the present agitation there likely 10 avert
indefinitely the progress Of improvement that the best
chance for the Irish people Is 20 stand by the English
people and demand an alteration Of the land laws.
lApplausel l wish TO see them turn their ener-
Ries from the speculative to the practical.
But Father Burke considers unfit to speak
upon these subjects, and for three reasons ::
First, because / despise the Irish people. despise
them, doll lCues OF no nol Then why have made
Ireland my second homeI Why am here nowl Am
finding my undertaking such pleasant Onei say that
for various reasons have peculiar and exceptional
respect for the Irish people mean for the worthy part
Of them, the peasantry and, according to light
am endeayorng TO them say the peasantry; for
Irish demagogues and political agators-we, for them,
yes confess do feel, contempt from The bottom Of
my soul lApplausel rejoice that Father Burke has
disclaimed all connection with them or all the
which have afflicted Ireland, the demagogUes have been
the greatest. lApplause]
PAST CONTROVERSIES REVIEWED.
But I am unfit for another reason. have
been convicted by, a citizen Of Brooklyn Of in
serting words OF my own in letters and docu-
ments Of State. Ladies and gentlemen have not
convicted by the citizen Of Brooklyn, but have
given the citizen Of Brooklyn opportunity of correct
ing me II am guilty. lie has not been pleased 10 avail
himself Of It, He calls my proposal, know not why,
faacious. lLaughterl He inquiries why win not re-
ply directly to his allegations. answer first. that
cannot side OF the Atlantic and my books
and papers are the other answer secondly, that If
reply to him, must reply to nifty Others. answer
thirdly, that I have found by experience that
controversies between parties interested in such dis
putes lead conclusion. Applause.l At this mo-
ment am supposed be calumniatng the Irish Catho
lies Two OF three years ago IN trouble in England
on precisely opposite ground lLaughterl had dis
covered document which conceived TO relieve the
.raw