Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-05-08
Iarlrastcr ftltelltQenrer.
MONDAY EVENING. MAY 8. 1882.
The Irish AssassinatfOnS.

The Irish Assassfnati0ns.
Upon the surface it seems difficult to
the assassination OF Lord
Cavendish, who was sent to Ireland by
Gladstone in pursuance of the new policy
of conciliation which has received the
approval of the leaders of the Irish party.
These leaders are unanimous in condem-
nation of the murder, not only because
it was murder, but because it was i'm
polite and hurtful to the cause. They
declare that it is the severest blow that
Ireland could have received in this mo-
ment when the English government has
concluded to make great concessions for
the sake of settling peacefully its diff
culties with the Irish people. There can
be no doubt of the sincerity of the regret
of the leaders of the Land League; but
it is just as clear that there must he an
other element in Ireland which approves
the assassinations that have startled the
world otherwise they would not have
been perpetrated for they were done
deliberately and ferociously. In broad
daylight, in a public park, four men
drive up in an Irish cart, leap out, at
tack and stab to death two gentlemen
ascend into their vehicle and drive away.
There were onlookers, but they thought
it Il drunken brawl. Evidently there
was nothing of accident in the crime.
Cavendish and Burke were certainly
killed because they were obnoxious to
their slayers as the representatives OF
England. Lord Cavendish at least had
given no occasion for enmity, since he
had just been appointed to his Office, and
previously had had no connection with
Irish affairs. AS his assassination was
apparently SO unprovOked and SO mimi
cal to the interests of Ireland
as understood by the Land League
leaders, it would seem clear that he
was slain by those who were opposed to
the establishment of friendly relations
between England and Ireland. 1t is
hardly to he suspected that any English
man would carry his hatred of Ireland
so far rs TO murder Englishmen appoint
ed to rule it, with intent to arouse Eng
lish prejudice against the Irish people a:
the supposed perpetrators of the crime
The more natural conclusion, by far, is
that there are those among the Irish
who are opposed to any peaceful settle
ment of their troubles with England
and who are determined to reject conces
sion that falls short Of Irish independ
ence. And we understand that al
organization representing just such t:
feeling exists in the Fenian society,
which las been little heard of latel,
since it has been working in concer
with the Land League and under th'
direction of its leaders. The act whicl
has just shocked the world may not hav,
been commanded by Fenian leaders, but
it is pretty evident that it was the result
of Fcnian feeling and the act of individ
uals of the society. They no doubt thinI
that they are patriots whereas they ar
only fools. The Irish people canno
move IA step without the sympath.
of the world, and they will never ge
that by the assassination Of the men VIII
are seeking to satisfy their demands
The hope of Irish independence, any
way, is the hope only of fool; for NJ
man of ordinary sense can suppose tha
Ireland can conquer England and onl!
when that is done can Irish independ
ence be realized, for the simple and con
elusive reason that England cannot affort
to permit it. 1t is not to her interest
and interest is the sole spur of nations
If the Fenian society, or Fenian feeling
has prompted this crime, it will soon bt
known; and that will he the end o
Fenianism. There are dregs to ever.
popular movement and the brutes VIII
see in murder their most effective weapon
are the refuse among the Irish patriot
who are striving to better the politica
and social slate of their people. Whel
these savages are subdued we may hop
that Irish Outrages will cease and 1risl
prosperity dawn under the wise ant
mutual concession of the English ant
Irish people. Until Fenianism, accept
ing murder as its weapon, is extirpate'
Ireland will lie and ought to be he'll
under the iron heel of Englis', power.