Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-02-02
Irish Agitation.


leaguers on the charge of stirring up sedition
in Ireland has resulted in disagreement of
| the jury, ten standing for acquittal and two
| for conviction. The trial has been a
spiritless one throughout The case for
the crown has been faithfully conducted
but counsel and court have gone through
the forms of trial in mechanical way,
and the defense have made no special efforts
by interposng technical objections to OBJ.
struct or retard the progress of the trial
The assurance that an acquittal or disa-
greement of the jury would be the outcome
of the trial seems to have been impressed
upon all parties from the inception of the
trial, which in consequence lacked the skill
full legal fence and attack, and the brilliant
forensic displays which usually attend upon
state trials.
Public interest in Irish affairs will center
now in the measures which the British gov
eminent will bring forward to restore order,
enforce the laws in Ireland, and amelio-
rate the condition of the Irish people. Force
"h' NcSiSiOh tohC BlcScituCC VI
measures in the parliamentary programme.
Smarting under the attrition of system
which the enactments of the British parla-
ment sustain and enforce, the abraded backs
OF the Irish must be barred for fresh irrita-
ton before Albion even uncorks the healing
balm which she proposes to pour into
wounds that have never ceased to rankle
under British rule. England has enacted
one Irish force bill year, on the average,
for the last half century. The unhappy
condition of Ireland to-day should suggest
to England the pertinency of Josh Billings,
epigrammatic advice to clergymen addicted
to long sermons, If man can't strike lie
after BORN twenty minits it is safe to sa
he is BORN in the rong place or has
got the rong gimlet" If England could
change her "gimlet" from arbitrary force to
kindness, and bore close to the Irshman's
heart, winning his confidence by practical
exhibition of sympathy and interest in his
material and social welfare Ireland would
speedily cease to be the "Niobe of nations"
Until bond of attachment is established
on this basis we shall not hear the last of
Irish difficulties.
Between Englishmen and Irishmen there
seems to exist an utter incompatibility of
temper. 1t is an exceedingly aggravated
case of "Betsey and | are out" without any
of the redeeming qualities of that very ami
able unpeasantness. The fault cannot be
wholly with the Irish. Out of Ireland, un-
trammeled by English laws and English an
imosities, they display the qualities required
for self-government. Irish hardihood and
Irish thrift have been conspicuously dis
played in this country and in this state.
Many sections of this county, too billy and
rough to tempt the enterprise of the native,
have been converted into productive farms
by the strong muscles, the industry and
thrift OF Irish settlers. Under the system of
landlordism that prevails in Ireland would
these mountainous lands have been subdued
and peopled by prosperous yeomanry
The dignity and power of proprietorship is
the stimulating agency in effecting this re-
suit In America, under the influence of
laws embodying rather more than the "three
F's," more, perhaps, than has always been
consistent with good order, the Irish flourish
and are contented and happyespecially in the
agricultural communities. Ireland has fur
nished many conspicuous leaders in Amer.
lean civil and military life. High positions in
European governments have been and are
now filled by lrishmen. With an approved
capacity for local elf-government, and for
prudent and thrifty proprietorship, it seems
the height of folly for England to continue
longer to withhold from Ireland system of
government under which Canada is always
tranquil and devotedly loyal to the parent
government. The granting Of such a sys-
tenn would prove more potent pacifier
than force-bills. 1t would be substantial
evidence of English good will, and, until
the adoption of some such measure, quiet
can be maintained in Ireland only by the
familiar means the Russians employed in
| Poland.