The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-10-24
r r DUDE.
Grattan and tho VolDn-
tecrs of $50.
More Pictures of the Miseries
of Home Rule.
The Origin, Growth and Dispersal Of
the United Irishmen.

lures on Irish history, taking as his special !
subject "Grattan and the Volunteers.n The |
attendance was very much simmer than at |
any OF the previous lectures, for which, perhaps,
the weather may have been mainly responsible. !
Mr. Froude succeeded, at any rate, in evoking |
much warmer enthusiasm than before, and was |
frequently interrupted with applause.
He began his lecture by reviewing again brieny |
she principles OF government dominant in Ireland |
during the last century. 1t was net wonderful
that such principles should not have had satisfac-
tory results and If the Irish had in rebellion
and secured their independence all the world /
would have applauded their action. Ire
land had much more to complain Of |
than America had at the time OF the |
Declaration OF Independence. She was COM
petely under the control OF Parliamentary law, |
which then meant simply landlords law, and the |
oppression OF the peasantry and the middle classes
continued without redress. In Ulster, where the |
tincn manufactures had been securely established
by Professionals the landlords, the country grew
prosperous, raised the rents to reap the en-
tire results OF this added wealth. The consequence
was that there were wholesale evictions and most
OF these Protestants who were thus driven from
the soil came to America, and doubtless most OF
them shouldered q musket and cleared scores with
their Old 0ppressors by blow in behalf OF Ameri-
can freedom. Mr.. Froude then proceeded to ad-
vert to the severe criticism that had been passed
upon his statement that at the time OF the American
Revolution it was the Protestants who sympathized
with Washington, while the Catholics had avOwed
their hopes that the Kings cause would triumph.
In support of this assertion he read letter ad-
Dy S1at Q, ~ IN. a
tachment and loyalty to the .'best of kings and
their sincere trust that his Majesty would triumph
over all his enemies, OF whatever kind. On the
other hand, Mr.. FfOude quoted still another letter
written at the same time by the Irish viceroy, in
which that Oca alluded to the Irish PreSby terians
In the North as at heart republican The result OF
the success Of the American Revolution was an
colonies, for the mother country saw that II she
wished to keep what was left her she must govern
Justly Ireland was the rss to reap the s advantage
have gained all that she could have desired but for
her demand Tor q separate legislative existence.
He (Mr. FrOude had the most enthusiastic admira-
ton OF Mr. Grattan, whom he regarded not only as
brilliant orator, but as an honest man. He had
looked at many private dispatches Of that age and
had often found men whose names stood fair IN
history to be in truth knaves and villains, but
never had he found spot or stain upon the charac-
Ter OF Grattan. Whether Grattan was as wise as
he was pure was another question. Mr.. Grattan
Of Volunteers necesstated by the american war to
demand that Ireland should have her own Legisla-
tnre and law Courts He did not wish to
was content that the connection with Eng
land should continue, If only these demands
did not dare to refuse them and In due course of
time Ireland was declared a nation. But what If
volunteers, permitted Ireland to leave the Union
altogether AT any rate, It is certain that such
Ministry, who knew that no power then seriously
threatened England and that few years OF home
e ea 9 a
their battle in their own way The Protestants
were numerically weaker; but they had wealth
nir. Froudel thought that they would GER
tssiny ,n have won in the struggle But
this scheme and Ireland acquired the right
Of seEgovernment. And now, the blessings of
curses In disguise when self-g0vernment was estab-
lished in a country not yet ripe for it, Dean Swift
where two ears Of corn grew where one haa only
grown before. But IN place OF material prosperity
q the S s9any
and industry languished. Grattan soon lost his
power over his own party, most OF whom were bu
were able to get from the English vice.
roy for their votes. Dublin Castle became a
were exchanged for political treachery. In vain
Grattan and curran numbered against these prac-
tempt. such was Ireland in the palmy days before
the Unios, when she enjoyed Tor the last time
Parliament only sixty were open; the rest were
the private property OF the mobiles and gentry,
many Of whom sold them to whoever would buy
the government sold peerages for about .el2,0oo.
The great obstacle to the success OF reform of
these abuses was the jealousy OF the Catholics
by the Protestants, who, although greatly in
the minority, owned nine-tenths OF the land.
The French Revolution however, changed this state
OF affairs. The excuses of the Jacobins made the
government look upon the Catholics as conserva-
with the priests to rally Ireland to the cause Of
order. About this time, however, the leading
spirits Of the rising , generation-young IRELAND
bravest and most unselfsh patriots among the
youth Of ireland. They meant nothing short OF
once set to work to organize themselves
into lodges, adopting the name of United irish
estant conservatives stood the Catholic gentry.
After awhile they saw that their interest was with
to Ihe Conclusion that they Would side with the
party of order II the Administration would grant
them certain moderate concessions. The country
however, grew more and more excited and in
Named, and az the name OF patriotism spread there
came division even among the Catholics, and in
their committee which sat constantly III Dublin,
there were at last more than half of the members
more or less attached to the principles of the
unit against England, and ireland had again a
magnidcent opportunity to secure her IN.
in IN syoatny me with the national party
and in the various lodges there were enrolled NJ
least two hundred thousand men. England was
engaged al the time In "a deadly struggle with
France, ane could not make an energetic defence
Df her nominal sway ovei Ireland. Mr.. Froude
the United Irishmen, laying ,stress upon the many
trivial and frivolous details vs. it'll which the ceremo
mai OF the society was encum bered. Such stun rs
that not she basis of q successful revolution
though II might very wen serve AS the foundation
ink on the paper which ed Vol Tones plan
was dry its contents were betrayed to
the English government. Less than half q
dozen men were present at tina meeting, and yet
one Of them was a traitor. Wolfe Tone himself
man OF the most sp0tless honor, but among
his companions there was evinceda haste TO betray
him and the cause which preciudei all hope OF the
revolution icing successful. AT tthe outset the
English government Gid not think 1t worth while
or prudent 10 NEEDLE with the conspiracy, bat one
by one the leaders, as they committed some fatal
tndiscretion, were seized and punhned. wolfe
a
Fitzgerald went TO the Continent, ,and on the
French frontier line with switzerland bad an in
'erview with the French Minister OF War
In Irish rebellions, IL was betrayed by one
oi Fitzgerald's dearest friends. This riendw&s-but
he fr0ude had, perhaps, better not name hlm
Mr.. Froule then described the landing OF the
French Meet in BaRtry Bay, the failure OF the people
70 rlse ID insurrecten and the confusion tiLt loi.