The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-12-10
TIE DISTRESSED IRISH.

aAaA BaAA AAEsSHEsA IRISH.
There is something in the character
istics of the Irish people that make
them dear to the hearts of Americans.
And when to this natural sentiment
there is supcradded the warm sympathy
that is evoked by the hardships (which
they have been subjected, we expert
enee a heartfelt sympathy for them in
the disIesses which have so recently
augmented their unhappiness. What
ever concerns them is Of interest to MS,
and we turn away from our own affairs
TO consider their situation, feeling that
however detected may be our present
condition we are infinitely better of
than these oppressed people who are
subjects of Great Britain, and still can
hardly be classed rs British subjects.
Speaking of their condition contem-
pOrary says:
s-The agitation IN ireland has reached
a stage that must culminate in very Sc
rioUs consequences unless the greatest
wisdom shall be exercised in dealing
with the questions about which the
people are so greatly excited. The
present rulers Of Great Britain seem TO
realize this fact, and, indeed, exhibit
some inclination TO avoid precipitating
crisis, if possible The temper of the
Irish people is now aroused to such a
pitch that very little in the nature Of
oppression or wrong would inaarae
them to violence and while the govern
ment could and would eventually sub
due them, the effect Of an uprising
would be damaging to British interests
and British bonds, not to count the loss
Of life. Should the government arrest
PaInen and his eo-agitators, how to dis
psse Of them would present a question
not easily solved. If tried in ireland.
the juries would aequit them, and if
tried before English juries, their con-
Yiction would lie determined before
hand. The latter course would give
rise 10 the cry of prosecution,and arouse
the syInpathies Of other people in be-
half Of the Irish It may be that the
government viii find it the part of Wis
dom and prudence to make some con
cessions to the Irish people that will re-
lieye their condition and remove the
causes Of complaint that now exist.
The continued and excessive poverty cf
the masses shows that they are net
given a fair chance to better their con-
dition. The land system and laws oP-
crate against them, and legislation that
would relieve them and encourage them
to habits Of industry and economy, that
they might acquire titles to homesteads.
would, in the end, prove beneficial to
the government. 1t is probable that
the government might have taken some
steps in the direction Of reform of the
evils complained Of, had it not been for
the position and demands Of the leaders
Of the agitation. Their course has been
such that.the government could not
make any concessions without seeming
to do so under compulsion or from fear.
The government Of course could not be
put in the attitude of yielding to an UP
rising G this character, as that would
impair It's power over its own subjects
in the future. The Liberal party has
manifested disposition to treat Ire
land, at least, with a degree Of consid-
GRAFTON never shown by the tories, and
a little diplomacy and conservatism on
the part Of the agitat5rs might ac-
complish more for their eause than
threats and violence.