The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-04
THE IRISH TROUBLES.


OF the cause of the present trouble in Ire
land. A number of hints are suggested
as to how farming may be made success
ful. These are the words as given in
Chambers JoW7,ai'
In a social point of view, Ireland is a
strange problem. With immense ad-
vantages as regards situation, its near
neighborhood to England, and its politi-
cal status as member on the United
Kingdom, it lags behind in general peace
and prosperity. To a certain extent it
continues meadimval, amidst the surroun-
dings of advanced civilization. On all
occasions there is something wrong with
it. Sometimes it is afflicted with bad
harvests and terrible famines; and out
OF public compassion, it has to be helped
by charitable contributions. AT other
times, though the harvest happens to be
favorable, there is bitter cry that the
tenant farmers are oppressed by land
lords, who must by all means be got rid
Of Laws to melioratc alleged evils have
been frequently applied, but with quail
ifidely beneficial effect Whatever you
do, Irish clamor appears to suffer no di-
minution. Alps on Alps arise The press
tolls without intermisson to keep readers
abreast of Irish wants. So much, one
way and another, is said about Ireland,
its woes, wishes ana disorders, and so
much has been done for it first and last,
that people give up the subject in des-
pair. The problem seems beyond sol
wing. 1t Is as if the ills of Ireland were
incurable.
A hopeless looking business but it can
not be left alone. If only for the sake
of peace,it must he attended to somehow.
In matter of this sort, where there is n
mystery to be unravelled, the best way
Is to begin at the beginning. How did
'the green isle of the ocean" get into Il
state OF affairs so peculiarly painful and
exceptionable? Searching back, it is un-
happily found that, unlike the sister
countries, Ireland had never any settled
national monarchy to consolidate and
mould its social condition 1t had petty
kings and chiefs ruling over certain dis
tricts of the country, and under whom
the arts ofpeace made no proper advance.
There were brilliant ecclesiastical epi-
sodes. There were heroic exploits, particu-
larly in expelling scandinavian intruders.
Finally, there was long and Intellectual
struggle against the Anglo Norman con
quest, during which matters were worse
rather than better. The English treated
Ireland neither as colony according to
modern maxims, nor as IN integral part
of the realm of England. They kept it
down by force; and to help them in do
ing so, they partitioned great part OF
the country among English generals and
other favorites. The people were Celtic
in race and in language, and for the most
part they were esteemed little better than
untameable savages. The result was
frequent revolts, each ending in fresh ha,
treds and fresh confiscations
The attempts of the English Govern
ment to introduce the Reformed faith ir
the sixteenth century, stirred up fierce
disserBions in Ireland, that have only il
late years been appeased. The fight OF
the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel, con
sequent of IN abortive rebellion, afforded
James l. an opportunity, in 1908, O.
planting Ulster with settlers from Eng
land and Scotland, whose dscendant
still form an important ingredient in tn,
northern part of the island. All previou
insurrections were outdone by the re
bellion of 1G41, which produced a stat,
of anarchy that lasted till 1919, when tn,
country was overrun by Cromwell
Widespread devastations ensued, will
gifts of estates to favorite sol1iers ant
partisans. The Revolution of 1855
brought renewal of disaster. Tn,
natives generally took the part of tn,
fugitive James H.; were defeated by tn,
forces of King William at the Boyne
and again at Aughrim, July u, 1861
which settled the affair. Unfortunately
but very naturally, the recollection o
these humiliating defeats by William o
Orange were kept alive by a series 0
penal statutes unwisely conceived in tn
narrowest political spirit, and whicl
though long since relaxed, still caus
hostile party divisions and occasiona
outbreaks.
To do England Justice it has as w
all know, endeavored by recent measure
to atone for past wrongs, and shortcom
ings; nor, to all appearance, will it ceas,
Its endeavors to win the confidence o
the Irish by course of generous deal
ings and answering justice. But how
long will it take to undo the sad conse
quences of previous misgovernment
Traditions of conquest and oppression
may in time die out or feebly linger n
a matter of sentiment in song and ballaC
literature. The distressing consideration
is, that usage adverse to TRANQUIL so
cial system have been bequeathed ant
fosteied through the ignorance and gros
mismanagement of the adventurers I,
whom lands were heedlessly assigned i,
heritage. This brings us to the root o
perennial disorder in Ireland. In tn,
large towns with miscellaneous bus,
population, all goes we'll Distraction
are confined to certain rural districts
where agriculture remains in that wretch
ed condition which renders the comfort
able subsistence of growing population
impossible. 1t is these districts, scatter
ed i'll different directions; that form tn
hldeous blot in the condition of Ireland
and are taint to the whole rural sys
TEN.
The Irish difficulty is not referable I
distinction of race, but to an eroneon
method of land tenure, springing out c
the concourse of historical circumstance
just averted to. To make this plain, W
shall briefly point out what, according t
observation and experience, are the tru
principles which farms for aglicult,
raj purposes can alone be advantageous
conducted The farm must consist {
several hundred acres. The tenant mu,
possess proper amount of capital an
/. skill to be insured a reasonable length
tenure for a series of years. AT the Coz
! OF the landlord the farm must be put in,
: n workable condition as-regards drai
5 age, fences and roads; and be proyid,
70 with suitable dwelling house, cottag
G for laborers, and offices of various kind
The tenant on entering his lease h
G nothing to do but to commence agric,
4 tural operations with all the applianc