The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-05-05
LEITRIM'S FUNERAL.
THE BODY FOLLOWED TO THE GRAVE
BY A HOOTING Mob.
Lord Leitrim's Cruelty and Lack of Char
ity-HOw the Tenantry on His
Estate Fared.

DUBLIN, Ireland April Is. 1873.
Heretofore my experience Of the Irish char
acter had been very pleasant I noticed only
the brighter side but a darker and sadder
phase presented itself in the recent scene of
disorder and fierce hatred exhibited at
TILE BURIAL or THE LATE LORD LETTRIM.
The people certainly are not to blame for
showing feelings that have been aroused not
by slight provocations, but by many of the
most grevouS wrongs that bad man placed
in power can so easily inHiet on those depend
ing on him. Though the peculiar manner of
expressing these feelings is Objectionable, we
should remember that for ages it has been the
popular mode OF showing detestation and alb
horrence of persons whose vicious lives have
incurred hatred which often extends itself
to the remains after death, denying them the
quiet of the grave and even scattering after
years to the winds the dust and bones of the
offender. MAY your bones never rest in the
grave" has forcible meaning, being consid-
cred one Of the worst prayers" possible.
For year Lord Leitrim managed to protect
himself from vengeance whose muttered
threats had often reached his ears and
warned HIM that he was feared, and at some
day or other would reap the reward Of his
wickedness. He rendered many houseless
and homeless, preferring to give to the flames
the humble roof rather than have it cover
tenant who could not pay promptly. The
poor house shelters many an aged head driven
thither by his oppression and not few poor
but proud and honest hearts were sti1led for
ever by the modification OF living pauperS ON
public charity. The better class of tenants
received treatment equally severe Rents were
high, crops sometimes failed, but woe to the
delinquent. Bailiffs were ever ready to exact
the dues of their master, and the cattle would
soon be, driven" sold from him; as they
were TIE means OF making his living, he was
left helpless. Emigration was the only course
left, il the passage money could be obtained,
and scores sought homes in Canada or the
United States. But these acts of inhumanity
were not his only crimes. Tales that would
make the brow OF manhood mantle with
shame are freely circulated.
NO HOME WAS SACRED FROM HIS LUST.
With wealth and power to make those
around him happy. he degraded his high po-
even though it wrought ruin and desolation
to those he should have protected. The mills
| OF the gods grind slow, but sure. Though
seldom his lordship was unattended, yet the
when opportunity did offer, his arm descend
ed in swift retribution. No doubt a great
deal will be written on the lawless character
of the Irish, but chapter should also be
ueVOJu W StbbiflR iOEtu LuelT patltHcb. lOSG
of
THE ESTATES ARE ENTAILED
and owned principally by mobiles who remain
the greater part OF the time in England or on
the continent, spending thousands of pounds
| annually in these countries, and only return
ing at long intervals, for a brief season, to
Ireland With this constant drain on the
resources of the country is it wonder that so
much poverty exists2
THE CONDITION OF THE PEAsANTRY
is truly lamentable; want chains them to the
soil. The spring and harvest labors are all
small there is no possibility of laying away
anything for the long, dreary winter II
they possessed few acres Of land their lot
would be happy one, but not even the mud
cabin with thatched roof and ground floor Is
their own; they rent it, and when quarter-day
comes the fatted pig must be sold to pay up,
or they will be turned out. If obstinate about
leaving, the miserable dwelling is reduced to
ashes s by the landlords order in preference to
Sad, indeed, is it to hear that ninety out
of every hundred of these men, with anx-
ious hearts and hands willing to work
for living, have often felt the pangs
crying for the bread they cannot give, yet I'M
der this dire necessity theft is rare and MUIR
der much more SO. What, then, caused SO
henous crime? Simply Lord Leitrim's
disregard of the principles of charity held
most sacred by the people. Debased, indeed,
Is the household, when a daughter lapses
| from virtue. Time cannot obliterate the
stain nor money cover it up; death to the
temper is not too severe penalty. Was not
Lord Leitrim
| AN ARCH TEMPER?
His fate was but a matter of time and the
fierce excavations on his remains merely an
exponent of the detestation In which his deeds
were held.
When it was known that this oppressor
would be buried In the place containing the
honored dust OF the Shearses, who, after the
leaders Of the United Irishmen, but fell vic
Tins to the cause Of liberty, great was the In
dignation of these men, descendants of the
martyrs of Kildare and the 600 who were
butchered in Carlow while fighting for free.
dom.
SHIRTS, surRTsy