The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-07-10

!, directly produced this condition OF
- thlhgS, the responsibility rests upou
J. me English people and government,
lhat TINS unhappy state of affairs
> should continue.
d NO nobler or more worthy object
e could appeal to English statesmanship
II VI, IMAM the woorl of restoring prosperity,
a liberty and tranquility to the Irish
4 people.
II may be Il lowed to say that it is "A
n most remarkable fact, that so lite
mas been accomplished in this direc-
.ioll ny government that constantly
boasts to the world Of its wealth: its
4 extraordinary commercial Importance:
: lts superb civilization and above ali
OF It's devotion to the princi-
pies of human liberty and constitu-
tional government.
, The history of Ireland for more
than eight hundred years tells but lit
Tie except story of wars, contisca-
lions and famine. Once, for IL period
OF seven hundred years, there was
, nothing in Ireland that would have
answered to the name of peace.
But this period is not entirely dark
it is lighted up and and Illuminated
at intervals, with flashes of bravery
ana patriotism displayed by the Irish
in this long night battle for their
ancient liberties.
The English historian would term
this period of insurrection and trea-
son; while the friends of the Irish, on
the other hand, would characterize
it by the fairer name of a struggle for
free government.
However this may be, it is certain
that every successive English govern
ment had bow for ireland. Right
ful kings and usurpers have agreed
alone upon the propriety of this one
policy. James /, King by divine
right, drew his sword against her
Cromwell, a man of an iron heart |
trampled her with an iron heel and |
William of Orange, himselfan usurper,
led the hue and Cry of treason against |
the Irish people, who were then de-
Tending rightful king.
70 ascertain the number of times
the Irish lands have been confiscated,
would require quite an elaborate sum
in addition.
Catholic emancipation was not con-
coded by the English government to
the Irish until very recent period.
And CHI rch dis-establishment in Ire
land is yet to be looked forward to,
doubtfully, as something yet in the
future.
In studying the character of the
Irish, we must remember that they
were once free, with their own govern I
ment and laws and civil institutions.
In a word, that Ireland once belonged
to the Irish. But this exists only I
as dim tradition for the Irish of to-
day. 1t is but indistinctly visible in
the hazy morning of young Ireland's
life.
For it was not long before England's '
longing eyes fell upon this Island that )
from all accounts, in point of natural |
beauty, is justly named ''tirst Isle of |
the ocean, first gem Of the sea-" and d
he struggle then began has continued a
since on battlo~lields or in council halls, Il
md is apparently not yet ended. v
Let me here make this observation, Il
hat long periods of unsuccessful wars Il
Usually tame the spirit Of even war; e
ike people, and systematic and con- p
nued repression of their liberties p
ends to eXtinguish their appreciation e
If free institutions. But not so with Il
he Irish. 1t is II most remarkable is
act, that after all these trials, the p
pirit OF that people is as high and I'M ii
rOkcn, its courage as heroic, and its h
urpose as undaunted as in the begin d,
In regard to their traditional char a.
cter as fighting people, [ once read st
+ heard the remark, that they were al
ways ready tojoin many body's fight, ell
nd were more successful fighting
battles than their own. 1t n
'as my fortune to serve, during the eN
rst year of our late civil war; in Il of
artery Of lightartilIery, composed al pr
lost exclusively of Irishmen, and / til
len came to the conclusion that an 81,
'ishman liked fighting better than
ny other amusement We often had bl
| those days, II pretty hot skirmish, if co
OF a pitched battle, without having Il Of
ederal within five miles of us. I av
ill explain this singular occurrence,
Y stating that we always carried
ong with that battery all the ingre- tn
ents of small private war of our
WI as Mark Twain would say, a
nd of "side speculation" merely col
ttera1 to the main business. | have
ten suspected that there must be bit res
truth wrapped up with the broad in;
ish humor of the story of the gentle L..
an who promenaded so persistently sp
long-tailed coat at DonnybrOOk pc
air, and the only circumstance that "S
Is ever caused me to doubt the truth sp
the story, is that it does not appear raj
lat anybody accepted the invitation, bu
I'd stepped on the tail of the coat. Of
[ have spoken of the Irish as unsuc- phi
ssful in their wars but we must not utt
/ to remember the fact, that during {
e long contest with England, many era
ave Englishmen were not only cap fac
red, but were actually converted to ba,
e Irish cause, not by force of arms, tru
t Jas we readily believe, by the ire pal
tible beauty and grace of the Irish VIII
lies. And these Englishmen, it is mo
id, to use the expression of an Eng hal
h writer, became "mOre Irish than On
e Irish !" and but for this class-of on
nat we may term prisoners ofwar," tina
10 stood bravely by the Irish arms, wit
Z struggle could not have been so SIN
lg sustained. wo
We must, however, reflect, that it pal
not alone as warlike people that at
? Irish are known. In their poetry Tia
d ballads we perceive their national anC
tie and character. it i!
IRISH Statesmen have been dis par
guished for their Intellectual vigOr Vot
4 accomplishments. And in ora the
y and eloquence, | may safely will
press The opinion that there is will
hing to be found in the records of and
me "a nation Of oratOrs) finer than TAI
best specimens of Irish elOquence. ton
}ut | fear have already extended evil
remarks beyond the point of good sucl
te. WhC
md EOw recurring but for moment cola
the subject of the eloquence and you
riotism of the Irish, / will ask
/ to allow me to recall a passage of r.
at beauty, from Sidney Smith, an nice
glish friend of the Irish people, in r.
ard to John Philpot Curfan, Irish lhgs
tor and patriOt-he said of him: per
No government ever dismayed
1.-THE world could not bride him
thought only of Ireland, lived for
other object-dedicated 10 her his w
utiful fancy, his elegant wit-his ,pac
My courage, and all the splcndor Hon
lis astonishing eloquence." that
aptainlv flaPa rn11Gt ho nIor1anpta IF m,