The Osceola times., 1881-01-22
Sweeping Away Feudalism.
New York Times.

Sweeping Away Feudaiism.
New York Times.
Tho light Of reason has been diffused
among the English public i'm a remark
able manner during the very full and
free discussion Of the present disturb
ances in Ireland At first the question
was approached in the old, blind, narrow
minded way. There was only one side
to it, and that was the landlords side.
Coercion was the present remedy, land
law reform might be put of to a more
convenient season. But from the very
beginning a few voices made themselves
heard in favor of a candid examination
Of lreland's troubles and a rational at
tempt at their settlement. II was not
the Tories, nor the Wings, nor even the
Liberals who spoke ont thus, but the
Radicals. ROundlv bcrated a few months
ago rs the allies of Parnell and the wick
ed Land League, these advanced spirits
have finished by winning public opinion
over TO their side. Mr. Bright and Mr..
Chamberlain in the Ministry and on the
rostrum, and Mr.. John Morley, in the
IdH NAL Gasettc, are now fairly represen-
tatiye of English feeling howard Ireland,
and the London 1jmss declares that no
remedy which may be proposed must be
rejected on merely sentimental or theo-
retical grounds.
The conviction grows that the Irish
problem must be solved on the lines of
the Land act of 1876, and that is precisely
what the Ministry will propose, unless
the generally accepted report miSrepre-
scnts their intentions. \ recognition of
the tenants right to remuneration for his
improvements on the termination of his
tenancy and some form Of encouragement
to tenants to become prOprietors of their
holdings will be the main features of the
act which Parliament will be asked to
consider when il meets in January.
When the Land act of 1917 was passed,
no such provisions could have received
even patient and fair discussion. In
the next twenty years the advance Of
liberal ideas wrought such changes that
| they were made the principal clauses of
| the act of 1870 though experience has
shown that that act is not adequate to its
purpose, and requires amendment and ex-
tension. There is not much difference Of
opinion as to the proposition that the
tenant must not be deprived of his hold
ing without a return of the money he has
invested in fences, drains, buildings, and
other permanent Improvements. In the
absence of such protection he has no in
centive to become good farmer BY the
law of 1870 a tenant elected from his
hold for any other reason than nOn-pay-
ment of rent may recover compensation
for disturbance, but this does not prevent
the oppressive practice of "rack-rcnting." D."
BY raising the rent charge to a figure
which the tenant cannot pay the land
lord easily gets the law on his side and
the tenant is without redress. This evil
calls for a remedy.
That the Government should become
the patron of the tenant and assist him
to buy the farm he tills is less readily
assented to, and it is not justifiable by
any abstract theory of the powers and
duties of government. But if il shall ap-
pear that measure Of this kind would
substantially better the condition of Ire
land, no objections based on abstract
theories will prevent its adoption in some
more practical form than the Bright
clauses of the act Of 1870 This means
that the English people are at length,
ready to sweep away the feudal system
Of land tenure and take their place
beside other civilized nations. In
France, Holland, Austria, Germany.
Switzerland, Belgium, and Norway the
oppressive feudal laws were long ago
abolished. Great estates have been bro
ken up, and in all these countries the
creation of q peasant proprietary has
transformed the farming population from
the condition of serfs into powerful
conservative class, the strength and stay
of the nation; and even under the burden
of the heavy taxation imposed by the
Continental military system, their growth
in wealth has been commensurate with
their progress in political importance.
Ireland awaits her emancipation from
the feudal system. Her petition for re-
lief is opposed on grounds which have
nothingto do with the right and Justice
Of her claim. A cause is not to be con-
demned because it is misrepresented by
its advocates. Behind Parnell and the
loud-mouth Land Leaguers are the ac-
tually suffering peasantry That some of
them have been misled by demagogucs
and bad counselOrs to commit unwise
and violent acts does not relieve England
of the obligation to attempt permanent
reCtiticatiOn of the system of land laws
The suppression of disturbances is a sep
arate question. 1t may take some time
for the mass of Irish peasants to develop
the thrlit and industry requisite to main
tain the condition of freeholders, but it
is only through trial of their resources
Of character that they can be strengthen
ed. They will unquestionably grow
worse from year to year while the pres
ent system is continued. There is no
doubt that in England, as well as in Ire
land the day for the breaking up of the
great estates and the disappearances of
landholders who count their possessions
by thousands of acres is fast approaching.
Public opinion is shaping itself TO de-
mand this reform and the land-hOldcrs
are bracing themselves to resist it, Ire
land will be first redeemed, and probably
though the working, or at least as con
sequence, of legislation put in force by
the present Liberal Government. But
not many years can elapse before Eng
land will apply similar remedies to her
self
4 Great Invention.
4 man living near Bloomfield, y. j.,
has contrived an arrangement, says the
Now Work SIM by the uSp of which he is