National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-30
VICTOR HUGO. ON IRELAND.
The French Author Thinks Ireland I'm
ripe for Revolution.


A few weeks ago Mr. Parnell visited
Paris for the purpose of urging Victor Hugo to pub
lish an address to mankind upon the wrongs Of
Ireland. Though it was announced that Victor
Hugo had agreed to do the business urged upon
him by Mr.. Parnell, yet for some reason or other,
his promised address has not made It's appearance.
The probability of procuring from that quarter
such document as would be satisfactory TO those
concerned may be judged from an interview pub
lished some time since in the Irish Ford. 9The
important feature of the interview, embodying the
real ground of Victor Hugo's judgment, is his re-
ply to the final question of the reporter. Very pos
sibly it, instead of being pious and Catholic, the
Irish people were rationalistic and irrehgous, the
French philosopher might take different view OF
the matter from that here given
Reporter-What do you think of Ireland?
Victor Hugo-ireland is far from France, yet Ire
land is near TO US. Far from u.s. owing to the fact
that England comes between, and is great oo-
stacle to our closer connection ireland Is very
and political sympathy have subsisted, and still
subsist, between France and Ireland. Engiand
comes between us, but she cannot break the moral
chain that binds the Irish and the french. Ire
lands geographical position is not favorable in our
would like to shift her to this side OF Eng
land, and send England about her business TO tne
other SIDE In that new position your country would
not only be morally and sympatheuealiy near US,
but she would be our next-door neighbor geo.
graphically.
Reporter-why is it that France-especially re-
publican Franee-haS always taken such an inter
est in Ireland?
Hugo-I attribute it to servieesrendered OH both
sides in ages past. In the last century your Irish
brigades fought and bled for u.s. and in the closing
years Oft the same century republican France es-
Sayed to give you aid to wrest your independence
from England-though, for reasons not blamable
to the French. Ireland is not independent yet.
Reporter-You have heard of the great land agf-
tation in Ireland?
Hugo-I have, and consider it most hopeful
sign of 1relandS redemption.
Reporter-You understand. suppose, the work
lngs of the land system against which the agitalon
is directed?
Hugo-I understand the system to be that by
which eight or nine hundred person own, or claim
to own, the entire soil That system means this ::
There are in Ireland eight or nine hundred lords
and somewhat five millions eseIGreS Slaves.
miserabiy small fraction tyrannize the reSt-the
vast majority are the automatons that move at the
beck of that faction. have no hesitation in al
firming that such land system is giaringiy un-
Just and absurd one 1t is unjust 1naSmuch as 1t
pampers and enriches the minority of people at
| the expense of the majority, and is consequently
an outrage upon justice it is absurd, for it contains
an anomaly, and must have the effect of lmDoVer-
ishing the country l say and hold that people
that live under such system are willingly, and
with their eyes open advancing on the high road
we broke partnership with that system at the era
OF our great revolution Before that revolution we
French were cursed with the same system that at
| present affects you Irish.
Reporter-DO you think the Irish need such q
revolution to get back their lands?
HugO-As for revolution, do not think, judging
from the past, that the people of Ireland equal
| TO revolution. tell you sincerely do not be-
lieve that the Irish people, in their present cir,
cumstances, and governed as they are by the land
| autocrats on the one hand and a few dictatorial
| churchlnen on the other can have many hopes OF
gaining back their lands from those who now hold
| them. in the great advance the world is making
on the path of civilization and progress you Irish
| ere tagging behind. To my mind you do not
are too conservative for the present age; and as
| long as you do not move OH with the rest of Eu-
rope you must bear up with those ills and misfor-
tunes and misery which fall to the lot of people
similarly situated. l state my views candidly.
Still, the truth is the TRUTH and should never be
| love you more if you kept pace better with the
grand ideas of mans natural and equal rights that
form the guiding stars of the peoples of this nine
! teenth century. However, this land agitation
should inspire the friends of Ireland and of hu-
manity with hope. Press onward. Agitate these
| living isSnns