The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-11-28
The History of English Rule in ireland.

The History of English Rule in ireland.
1t is perhaps a necessary accompani-
ment of the large immigration from
Europe that something of the contentious
which have existed in the old countries
should be transplanted with the popula-
tions. If unavoidable it is hoped that it
may be transitory, and that as the people
mingle and the bloods assimilate, old
feuds and real or fancied causes of dislike
viii disappear. There should remain
nothing of the German and French hos
tilitv which was shown year or two ago,
or the English and Irish hatred which
broke out in bloodshed in the streets of
New York.
A controversy growing out of kindred
feeling is Just now exciting attention in
New York and Boston, as well as among
the literary men of the country. 1t is a
controversy of words only, and clash of
alleged historical facts. Mr.. Anthony
Froude, the we'll known English historical
writer, and man Of ability in that direc-
ton, came to this country with the avowed
purpose of changing the popular idea
with respect to the character of the sway
which the English have borne in Ireland
q task to be undertaken bv Froude or any
one else-that Of converting Americans
into admirers of English policy in general,
or particularly in Ireland
Mr.. Froude's appearance here is in the
role of an English advocate before the bar
OF American public opinion, rather than
that Of an impartial and dispassionate his
toran. With any semblance Of respect
for American intelligence it could not
well be anything else; for the intelligent
people OF the United States who care to
know anything about history, know it
quite as well as Mr.. Froude or anybody
else from across the waters.
BY Il somewhat remarkable coincidence
Mr.. Froude opened his course of lectures
in New York at the very time that Father
Tom Burke, the Irish Dominican and q
representative irish champion, was So
.journing there; and when the first was
delivered, and the object of the whole was
uncovered. Father Burke promptly and
publicly took issue with the English his
torian and announced his purpose to
answer him. On Tuesday evening of last
week Father Burke gave the first of his
evening his second in the Academy of
Music before crowded houses. Consider
ing the briefness of the time in which he
has prepared himself, Father Burke's eff
forts may be considered of an impromptu
nature
Mr.. Froude may be said to be an
English, as Father Burke is an Irish.
Churchman. A son OF Archdeacon Froude,
a graduate of Oxford, and fellow of
Exeter Hall, he studied theology with
High Church views of the ministry, and
was ordained Deacon in 1854. He, how
ever, never entered upon clerical duty,
but turned his attention to literature
lie has now set out upon the mission of
vindicating the wholesale oppression of
one people through centuries of misrule
by another people. He has, unexpectedly
to himself, in one Of the oppressed people
met foreman worthy Of his steel where
he least expected to find him.
Father Burke conducted the discussion
with q marked courtesy and fairness
throughout and impressed his audiences
lavorably both as gentleman and scholar
But he was at times terribly severe In
overthrowing, rs he did, the pretense upon
which England's right to conquer and hold
Ireland was founded, and attacking Mr..
Froude's fairness, his best arguments were
furnished by his adversary. All the au-
thorities by which he disproved the state
ments of Mr.. Froude were English, and,
in many instances, the very same men
whom Mr.. Froude had called to his
aid on the other side of the question.
These We're used with terrible effect, and
swept away the statements upon which
Mr.. Froude based his arguments in .justl-
fication of English rule in Ireland. The
universally conceded to be with the cham
pion of Ireland.
Upon Mr.. Froude's changing the scene
Of his lectures to Boston, his adversary
followed, and repeated his vindication of
his countrymen. His Sunday evening
discourse at the Boston Theatre was
great success. Father Burke acts as though
he meant to stick to his adversary as long
as he seeks to exalt England at the ex-
pense of the green island, and we must
say that a more troublesome adversary
has seldom confronted a man of reputa-
ton in his chosen field. Mr.. Froude's
mission will most signally fail. There
are here too many Irishmen in whose
memory the bitter experience of English
oppression is fresh, and the American peo-
pie as whole have too recent and open
exhibition of the same spirit toward this
country, to be led away by any apologist
for England, charm he never so wisely.
1t is said the franklin telegraph company will
ask the next Legislature to grant them charter
to extend their lines through this State. Ken
nebec Journal.
1t is hardly possible, after the recent
experience with the International. When