, 1881-04-10
BROAD EFFECTS GF THE IRISH LAND
DIIL,

We have already published a synopsis of
the Irish I.anu hili proposed III the British
Parliament by AIr. Gladstone, and have COM
,nented upon its character and purposes.
11r. Gladstone proposes 1t rs 4 matter OF
strict justice, and, as such measure for the
preservation Of peace and good order III Ire
land. We have already pointed out that il is
just such 4 law rs will command the support
or tile entire Irish people, because I'LL classes
are alike relieved by its radical reform OF
oppressive abuses. 1t is evident that the OPP
position is perplexed somewhat rs to the
course to he pursued. Alr. I'arneil has been
compelled to declare that it is Il wise and
honest bill. at.l Lord Nortlcote, tile Tory
leader, has taken early occasion to say that
his party will take time to consider what
course they will adopt. The bill is Of such
character that the Opposition will think
twice before risking the consequences Of
defeating such measure. The most extrav-
agant Lalltl-Leasuer and the widest Orange
man will hesitate long before they will out
rage the interests Of their countrylnen by
defeating such Il humane and just law as
this one.
The moral results Of the enactment of this
Law will be far-reaching Us we'll rs beneficial
not only In Ireland and to the Irish people,
but will also extend largely to this country.
It will not only lift all Immense load from
the shoulders of the entire Irish population,
but will arrest compulsory Irish emf grafton
to this country. and will relieve the Irish III
America of the enormous pccunialy sacri-
flee to which they arc subjected to protect
their kindred ut home from starvation and
distress.
The TRIBUNE years ago claimed that
England by her course Of treatment Of Ire
land was guilty Of maintaining national
nuisance. She was keeping 4 whole pco-
pie III 4 condition of absolute pauperism,
compelling them to depend exclusively for
existence On Il small fraction of the products
OF the land, practically denying them the
liberty to engage In any other industry, and
contiscattng tile annual production Of food
under the claim Of cSorbltalt rent, and leay-
ing the miserable people the choice between
emigration as paupcrs or dying by the
roadside for want of subsistence. It
is notorious that the Irish Ill this
country have sent III money to
friends and kindred III Ireland I'LL average
year, and some years rs MITCH as ten millions,
and that this money was paid over to Eng!isl.
landlords for rack-rcnt,--pai over By poy
erty-slltfecing people for tho mere privilege
OF existing upon the few acres out of which
they gained scanty subsistence. Upon
England has rested the shame and RESPONSE
bility Of reducing whole people to such
pan1crism that the only escape from death
was BY migrating to other lands, without
trades, without educated skill in any kind of
labor, to become i'll their new homes 4 charge
upnn strangers and friends until they could
earn by rough labor enough to sustain life.
pnrts OF the civilized world, but more largely
to this country than to aiiy other.
1t is 1nEstake to ASSUME that Irish enigra-
tial, us 4 rule hts been matter Of choice, ex-
cept that choice which lies between death
and expatrialIon. The Irish have as great a
love for their native land, for its history, Its
monuments. its traditions and associations
us have any other people OH earth. They
are rs attached to the soil as are even the
French to the soil Of France, and yet there
are thousand eMigrants from Ireland to one
from France. The latter own and OCCUPY the
land they cultivate, while the former have been
slaves, denied even the right accorded to all
siaYes, of scanty food and bad shelter. If
tile Irish people We're, as the French people
are, the owners aud occupants OF the lantl,
each man the proprietor Of his own farm, no
matter how small it may be, they would he
as firmly and as immovably rooted to their
homes as are the French people. There