The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-18
DARK CLOUDS IN IRELAND.

STARVATION IMMINENT IN THE WEST DREAD
Full STATE OF AFFAIRS IN SOME IRISH coUN-
rIEs-wHAT OF THE FUTURE?
DUBLIN, July 3. 1879.
Those who can recall the fearful scenes of misery
and restitution which prevailed IN this country dur
ing the years AT and AS. rendered remarkable by
the failure of the potato crop. not unlikely to
witness period almost as trying. A succession Of
bad seasons. extravagant rents. which not only
demanded, but wrenched from the unfortunate ten
antry at the point of the bayonet. and lowering
prices on account of the in the impor-
taton of all edible commodities. have reduced the
condition of the farming classes to a state
bordering bankruptcy. while the depression felt
by the agricultural community has spread and con-
tinues expand all grades among the indus
trial classes. Dark clouds, indeed, hover over the
land and in many places they have descended,
bringing starvation and positive ruin wherever they
have fallen. Factories closing in toto the banks
refuse to advance money except when unexceptiona-
BILE security is forthcoming and although some
landlords returning from ten to twenty-five per
cent of the rents the vast majority must have their
pound Of hesh," and thus there is every prospect
OF the country drifting into state than what
decimated it in the famine already alluded to.
Misery in its chrysalis condition only has as yet
but the western portion of Munster and the entire
province of Connaught have already bowed down
under the awful visitation.
SLIGO.
From inquiries which have personally instituted
in Mayo and Sligo can assert that in these coun-
ties the farming classes are on the threshold of the
workhouse. Improbable have as have
said led to this; but there 10 contrbutory cause.
and this is the system of credit which traders al
lowed and which mnde the population anything but
thrifty; and now that dark days have arrived their
energies are paralyzed and efforts in any direction
nj Aiafr txr-
cluded in the scope which desolation has como
must in short time feel the terrible depression is
certain, unless Providence interposes. Within
tw elve months Lenster farmers have had their
increased by more than twenty per cent. and with
fully thirty cent of decrease In the value of all
produce their position can be easily un-
derstood. Irelands oldest duke. the head OF
the Geraldines. has led the way. and just
as the prospect Of bad times had become assured
his representatives set to work to increase his rent
roll, the process being in many repeated in
the short space Of dozen years. Agreements, com
monty called leases. were issued only to make the
heel of oppression the more keenly felt, clauses.
rendered legal by an abo rive Land act intro
any claims which the most stupid enactment in
the British statute book contains. Rents still
whieS have ~ named aboye sligo and IN Msyo the
landlords, have in many instances not . penny to
receive. Their own cruel msrule has turned on
themselves. and by impoverishing those by. whom
they had to live they at last feel the biting Of want
COLLECTION RENTS IMPOSSIBLE.
Not o week ago AN agent informed me that on the
day he appointed for collection Of rents he had not
received q cent, nor does he any prospect Of
payment. Monster meetings occur weekly, at which
the people declare that they willing and would
have difficulty to pay fair terms for their hold
ings. OF course the landocracy hold aoof, but how
long they afford to do remains to be In
the course of year 800 ejectments have been
served in Mayo alone, that taking the small
average of six to each family would have $500
persons in this county alone houseess-cast on
the wide world, with other shelter in their
own land that afforded by the unions.
On Sunday. the 2yth OF June. 1 attended
public meeting ut Castlebar, which was promoted
Tor the purpose Of call ny attention to the threat
ened evictions on the estate of Miss Cream Lynch.
and that occasion Mr.. DAILY, in speaking Of the
of the district said he cha lenged any commits
soner from Dublin Castle elsewhere to find within
the walls of many of the people who to be
evicted "a second animal, barring cat, and in
he aware that there was not sufficient
food for the rat watcher without pinching the sup
ply of some member OF the family '+i-t
THE DARK FUTURE.
But IL is useless to pursue this strain. 1t Is pat
ent to every that the owners of property must
either reduce their rents take the land their
hands. They are not likely to adopt the latter
until it becomes too late. The imports-
ton of cattle aid sheep weighs heavily
prices of beef and mutton. but at the same time
IL IL were not for the supplies from America and
Spain meat would be a luxury only within the reach
of the moneyed classes. The Irish press is think.
to blame in not taking more cognizance of the do
preston which prevails; but II the HERALD which
has and again been friend to Ireland.
raises its powerful voice on behalf of a much OPP
pressed country am sure good results will follow.
In this communication have avoided details, rs
later on I shall furnish instances of misery than
which do not believe human nature In o civilized
and Christianized State ever endured anything more