New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-10-20
IAMEs ANTHoNY FROUDE.
EreIand,s Present and Future-The Inter-
view or a New York Herald Reporter.
rTz,or, the New YorE Herald
From the New ForE Herald

present ana IuUuE6. a IItftttJ EGpU1LtI td4iC'
Yesterday on the eminent historian and hat
q long conversation with him. Being ush
cred into Mr. Froude's modest parlor at TIL
BreYoort House, the reporter was soon pu
at his ease by the frank and honest manne
ar the Fpplishman. Mr.. t'roude is gentle
man OF apparently forty-iye years OF ag'
or thereabeuts, of commanding presence
tall and without the least whit O
the boUkworm about him. He is tht
last man in q crowd that you Wonio
think was willing to devote the best
years of his life to porting over old manu-
scripts, correcting anachrOnIsms or bother
ing himself about the British world from
the time WOlsey died to the advent OF the
virgin Elizabeth Mr. Froude was inclined
more than once during the interview to
turn the tables on the reporter, for ne essay
ed to interview the interviewer, ana learn
something more than he knew about the
Empire City and the throbbng OF its great
bio mise Ii is needless to say that such
artless articles on the part OF the great his
torian proved an utter failure, and that Mr.
Froude was led back, though with gentle
force, TO the rugged track in which he had
found himself, and out of which he had
been trying to escape.
Before touching at ALTON the subject OF
ireland, Mr.. Froude expressed himself as
having quite fancy for yachting, and he
was very anxious to have an opportunity
during his stay here Of seeing some Of our
first class yachts, and to learn all about our
modes of building, and about our clubs and
race courses. He said he keeps little
Yacht himself in Ireland with which LIE
amuses himself when he can get chance
to run away from his literary lab0rs, and
he is passionateIy fond of the noble sport,
that is grand in its simplicity and emo
bling in the very reflective character OF its
pleasures This subject naturally sug-
gested to the reporters mind the name of
Door old Ashbury, and Mr.. Froude was at
once asked what was thought Of him in
England as q representative yachtm&H, or
Il ne was alone; for, added the reporter,
people over here were beginning to think
that he was born to be a historian Of yacht
rules and regulations, and of the bubbles
of matchmaking. Mr.. Froude's reply was
confidential, but "a nod is as good as a
wink"
On the subject Of Ireland's present conat
ton Mr.. Froude spoke cautiously, but can
didly. The reporter asked:
SIS there any probability that the home
rule movement will meet with succegs2'
II think not am decidedly Of opinion
that Ireland could not govern herself to her
best advantage"
Probably Cardinal Cullen is pushing this
movement, as he met with SO great a victory
on the church question"
~ should not wonder if that were so; but
do not think that those who are pressing
for home rule have any idea that they viii
getit. The question Of education according
70 the national school system seems to be
what the Catholics fight most about"
"Was net the national school system
adopted with the consent Of the Catbolics?'
Certainly it was; but these people now
are more aggressive than they were at the
n,T, TpE ,.nf
cit would seem, then, that the religious
squabbling is still in its vigor"
Eyes, and ] don't believe it will ever be
otherwise The Irish Catholics cling most
tenaciously to the belief that there has been
some mysterious system of constant oppres-
sion Of them by England, and nothing will
remove It. The Protestant Church has
been disestablished, and yet it was only the
other day that the hate between the reli-
gions broke out as fercely-more ferCeIy,
perhaps, than it had ever done before. |
don't believe this dislike or hate can ever
be- rooted out. / have no hesitation in say
ing that if Ireland were entirely Catholic or
entirely Protestant it would be easy to gov
ern her. and that the people would be far
more happy and contented. But, you see,
this is NOT so. The Catholics and the Pre-
testants will not agree"
"The priests, it is said, WELD immense
power over the peopleW
~Yes; and l think, under all the circum-
stances, this is reasonable, or, at least,
what might be expected. | am myself OPP
posed to this, because | see what the result
Of 0is In all Catholic countries For my
part, I should like to see all ministers of re-
figion subject to the laitY. am persuaded
this would be for the better interests Of the
State"
s'I have been led to believe that Feuian-
ism was 50 widespread over the country,
and so directly in opposition to the teach
imgs of the Catholic clergy in Ireland, that
the clerical influence has been considerably
broken
"Well, ] don't know. What is there new
in Fenianism2 Nothing. Fenianisnl, or
what is the same, only under another name,
has been cropping M throughout Ireland's
history for hundreds of years. This thing
called Fenianism has been in Ireland for
seven centuries. It is part of the people,
for Fenianism means dissatisfaction, sorrow
full longing for what cannot be; a lethargy
in Ireland with a hate and distrust of Eng
land. 1t is now different from what it has
always been. Look at Scotland Scotland
has it's Fenianism, and the men of the
country fought for it, and won what they
fought for. How about Irelands fighting
for her own freedom! She had more men
and greater resources than Scotland had,
and vet she has never been able to succeed.
why did she not fight and win She had
n right to fight III she was able, and be free.
But she didn't do it. Why, then, continue
this m0urnful strain of persecutiOn-this
neverending cry Of Englands tyFannical
dealing with her The truth il, Ireland
would have long ago been an Independent
country ii she wanted to be independent; or,
in other words, If Irshmen would fight the
enemy and not be ever fighting each other
"Then you are inclined tdNShiuk that Ire
land has not yet grown out of her first and
earliest faults !'
~ can't see that she has. like the
people well, and would wish to see them
happy and prosperous. but fail to see how
England today is impeding Ireland in any
way"
aWas it not expected that when the
grievance Of the Established Church would
be removed harmony among all creeds
would follow T"
1T was hoped so, but the hope was de-
lusory.R
Another grievance. it was claimed. was
the system oil land tenure-has not this
been remedIed IN
1.-THE Irish tenants are to-day far halter
provided for Tran are the tenant farmers of
either England or Scotland. They have a
security. and enjoy other privileges which
should certainly make them content. The
land law in ireland is all that any tenant
could desire
sHow 90 Irish farmers compare with
English or Scotch farmers z"
THE Irish farmers are far better of than
either the English or Scotch farmers. They
are making money fast, and there can be
no doubt about the advantages they pos
sess. The Irish laborers are now getting
three shilliugs for a days work. Not so
very long ago the same class were getting
sixpence day. SO you see the times have
Chnnred for them