Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-26
UNFORTUNdTE IRELAND.

The situation in Ireland still remains crit
zeal. For years the tenants have been turned
off and their homes have been converted
into grazing farms. Gladstone estimates
that fifteen thousand persons will be evicted
this year. This means starvation the un-
happy peasantry and they are struggling
for life to beat back that gaunt skeleton,
which with weired and wild eyes, recently
swept over "this land of story and of song"
fiercer and hotter than the srocco of the
desert
We never turn to the consideration of this
unfortunate people without having every
emotion of the heart profoundly stirred-our
very soul moved with pity.
This eviction, as mentioned by Gladstone,
means extermination-it means to the
wretched tenant and his family death with
all of the pangs of famine and disease. We
are not surprised that this people, maddened
at the anticipation of such sufferings, should
be tempted to rush upon the path of violence.
They have felt the Undesirable suffer ings
of hunger and it is but natural to suppose
they would endeavor to beat back its re-
approach with all of that merciless bitterness
with which the lioness defends her young.
We do not wish to be understood as apol-
ogizing for this unfortunate people, whose
passions have been aroused to resist the
mandates of the law. Let it be remembered
that they are an ignorant peasantry who
have been for centuries kept in their ig-
norance by those same mandates OF law.
Let it be remembered that all that they have
learned from history or tradition has taught
them from their earliest infancy, that the
law, which ought to be their shield and pro-
tector, has ever been their curse and the in
strument Of their oppression.
1t is not forus to discuss or decide whethe r
the standard that floats over Dublin Castle
should be the red ensign of United King
dom, or the living green of independent
Ireland. But we do not hesitate to say that
wrong and insult, contumely and oppres
sion cannot debase proud, high and spirited
people as long as they preserve their trust
in God end their belief in honor and truth
as great instruments by which He works out
His will. Nor do we hesitate to say further
that Irish history has demonstrated which
we see, and seeing, feel, that society is
stronger than law; that civilization controls
constitutions, and that neither constitutions
nor laws can arrest the march of the one nor
change the organization of the other.
General Walker, Superintendent of the
Census Bureau, thinks he will be able to
submit report to Congress early in the ses-
sion. This is something unprecedented in
the history Of the country, and has undoubt-
eddy exhibited vast amount of executive
ability. If Congress sholld act promptly
upon this report in making the apportion-
ment, it will enable such States, whose Leg
islatures meet during the coming winter to
re-district their Congressional Districts
The basis of Congressional representation
will be increased from 131 ,425 to, it is said,
about no. 900, if it is intended by the pres
ent Congress to increase the membership
of the present House which is 293. If this
arrangement should be determined upon, the
New England States would lose four men,
beers, Pennsylvania two, New York three,
and New Jersey one The West would
gain seven and the South three.