New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-07
MICH CRY AND LITTLE FOOL.

MUCH CRY AND LITTLE FOOL.
Our readers have probably already seen the
proclamation of the United Irishmen in Ma
tional Convention last week in Philadelphia.
1t Processes to cover the whole ground OF
their argument, their expectations and their
plans. There is nothing new In it. We all
are familiar with the frantic denuDciations
of the cruelty treachery and persecution by
england during her 700 years OF tyranny"
and of the hambOyant, factless style which
characterzes these passionate appeals. There
Is no reason why we should call attention to
this new proclamation of the officers of the
Revolutionary Board" excepting for the
fact that they call urgently for money, and
that they are likely to get it.
All that they assert concerning the Ill
treatment of the millions of Irish now in this
country while they were British subjects may
be true-it is not our duty nor inclination to
discuss the question-but they are British
subjects no longer. They have left the mud
cabins, poor soil and starvation behind them,
and have probably accumulated some little
property here. They and their children have
a certain prospect of manhood, education and
responsibility if they choose to go TO work.
1t is the hard earnings Of these people which
the Revolutionary Board calls for, and Will
get.
We ask them to stop and consider
moment before they give it. What definite
aim is set before them in this document
The Board declare that they put their trust
alone in God and physical force" which
nav be the reason that they make no show
of single argument, fact or rational
plan. They propose to make war with one
of the most powerful nations in Europe
Where is their army, their officers or
their navy7 They are already at logger
heads with each other and are fighting
before they organize. Judge Brennan. Presi-
dent of the RevOlutionists, boasts that there
"are 100000 Irlshmen III the United
States ready to stand up for their
".country.' If to stand up for their
country means to crowd into mass
meetings and shout themselves hoarse
for Parnell, or to pour out their money
like water for the cause" they will do it.
The Irishman never is lacking in noise or
reckless extravaganza But he has learned
little discretion in his prosperity here. How
many of the IL, 100000 will go back in per-
son to fight England VIII Judge Brennan
VIII any of the colonies or clergymen who
have been shrieking wildly in Philadelphia to
their cOuntrymen to tear down the red flag
"and hoist the green" and openly threatening
dynamite to Victoria for tho last week 7 We
wager not one.
But suppose that the II 900, 600 went, or
enough of them to succeed In their purpose
Suppose the English yoke thrown off and
Ireland her own nistress-what then 1t IL
as well, before these poor labOrers, cObblers
and tradesmen fling their small incomes into
the hands of the Revolutionary Board that
they should look the future fairly in the face.
1t Is all very poetic to talk of Green Erin and
her ancient sDlendor. But the days of gran
naie will hardly come again. VIII they be as
well off in Ireland as they are herel First
she never can be made productive agricul-
tural country. The soil is utterly worn out
in centuries of exhaustive tillage. In Eng
land, with every advantage of high feeding.
the peasant farmers are emigrating in
swarms to the very West from which these
revolutionary Irish pine to rush back to
their Dogs and sterile fields.
She never will become a great manufactur
ing centre. With the competition OF pow
erful rival in incensed England already in
possession of the field, there would be no hope
of success for century to come. Besides, the
average Ir1shman in Ireland. however success
full in battle or society or at the bar, or In
any field where triumph can he won by bril-
liant dash or elan, never has made and never
will make that slow success which Flooding
patience brings to the manufacturer. There
is a single class of goods, Irish poplin, of which
Ireland held the monopoly. II could be made
nowhere else it was Il beautiful, enduring
fabric; it gave employment to thousands
of workmen. Yet the Irish of their own
yolition have allowed the manufacture to die
out until employment Is given to only 300
workmen in the Dublin factories. The wife
of the late LOrdLieutenant IAN English
woman) tried for years to bring the fabric
into use She dressed in it, ordered the dra-
peres of the palace TO be made of ii, but to
no purpose. Irishwomen refused to wear it
simply because it was homemade. They
dress in French fashions; they ape foreign
ways. This is a small but significant instance
of the total absence of that spirit Of homo
geneity which Is essential to the material
success cf any people. 1t has died out Of the
Irish at home ; it has died out of them during
their exile. They do not and cannot work
together. The only point of union is the de-
sire for squabblinR.
One word of advice: Save your money.
Wait until the Revolutionary Board offer
some practical chance for your children bet
ter than you can find IN Kansas or Ohio be-
fore you Join them. Love of country Is a
good, noble thing, but love of your children
is better. Whiskey and ldliness cursed old
Ireland more than the English yoke. See that
when you leave your work and turn revo-
lutionists these bends do not curse you here.
Is there anything funnier than the way they rare
and tear their hair In Tammany Hall about Gen.
tralizaton " Henry l.. Clinton said in opening
the exercises on MondaY-and said 1t with per-