Daily Republican., 1882-09-13
FROM IRELAND.
WHAT OUR CORRESPONOEHE
SAYS OF IRISH AFFAIRS
OBSERVED BY HIM.

tion of late years as this unhappy is-
, land. Agitation after agitation has
swept over 1t and still the Irish ques-
ton, TO great extent, is an unsolved
problem. That Ireland has suffered at
the hands of England, is fact In his
ttr7 that cannot be gainsayGd even by
EDglishmen, but that progress in the
right direction has been made no per.
son will dispute. Certainly the British
Parliament hos given largely of ita
time la ely, to the discussion of Irish
affairs and the result hLs been the dis
establishment of the Irish Church.
which took place few years ago, and
later the passage Of the Land Act and
the "A rrears Bill, which are now In
operation and in time must be benefi-
Ctal to the tenants. 1t will be difficult
thing TO satisfy all of the Irish people;
there will still be something" that
will be wanted, and l suppose that
something, with portion Of them at
least, would be not only home rule,
but absolute independence, which If
ever granted, we think, would be q
sorry day for Ireland.
The truth is there are two IrelandS,
with distinct and separate races of peo-
| DlCs SlbUViJ OuC NOEUlCEA Ok
the island which is largely Protestant,
being composed to considerable OK.
tent of Scotch or their descendants, is
loyal, intelligent, industrious and pros
porous. In the south and west of Ire
land where the population is largely
Celtic and Roman Catholic, regret
to say state of things somewhat the
reverse of that which exists in Ulster
is the case; there disloyalty is rampant,
discomfort and crime prevail to de-
plOrable extent ana murders of the
most atrocious character have been
perpetrated which might well bring
the blush of shame to the cheek in less
civilized countries. That the real
wrongs of Ireland may be righted and
that better state of affairs may soon
be introduced, is undoubtedly the de-
sire of all righT thinking people every
| where. Belfast, the metropolis of the
north, is a hourishing town with q
population of over 100000 The growth
of this place is fully equal to many Of
the cities of the United States, In 1921
the population was only 81 900; in 1851,
LOG, 900, and at the present time 1t lS
nearly 225, 900.
1t has more of a yankee look to 1t
than any town OF city of the United
Kingdom that we have visited. Oh ac-
count of the Linen business and Liza
Provision trade, its relations with
America are extensive and intimate.
A number of the larger business houses
here, have branch houses or offices in
New York. Belfast possesses a num-
Der of fine buildings, such as the Gus
tom House aud Post Office; Queens
College, also the Presbyterian and
Methodist colleges and the Linen Hall.
Mos0 of the streets are wide and very
regular and the business thoroughfare
are lined with large and attractive
stores well stocked with wares and
merchandise of every description.
This town is the seat and centre OF
the linen trade, which is the principal
business of the country and judging
from the number and size of the fax
mills and linen warehouses, as well as
the goodly number of palatial residences
in and around the town, owned by
linen manufacturers, This mus be q
lucrative and prosperous industry.
To give your readers some idea of the
J magnitude of this business, the mills
of one company alone, viz: the York
J Street Spinning Company employs
about 8, 500 hands. Belfast is also fa-
nous for the manufacture of Ginger
Ale and Lemonade, Notwithstanding
beverages. Let temperance people re-
joice that such delicious drinks are be-
ing manufactured with such care and
in such quantities as we found to be the
case at Messrs. Cantrell & Coohran's,
the principal establishment of tbs kind
in the town.
The courteous manager of the Belfast
house--for this firm has a large house in
Dublin also-shOwed US over the extern
sive premises, where goods are manu-
featured and shipped to all parts of the
, world, and very largely to the United
States. l trust that these simple, re-
freshiug aerated waters will speedily
displace the alcoholic drinks that are
doing 50 much damage on both sides Of
The Atlantic. OF the population of Bel
fast fully two thirds are PrLtestants,
the remainder Roman Catholics; and
Of the Protestant section more than
half are Presbyterians. The Presbyte-
rian church exerts powerfuland salu-
tary Influence, which is felt in mark
ed degree in the northern portion of the
: island. 1t is gradually extending its
influence south and west, where it is
greatly needed.
The ministers of this church are men
! of culture and ability; as public speak
ers they are as a class gifted with more
. than average eloquenoe ard pulpit
: power.
They are largely sought after for En-
glish aud Scotch pulpits and not few
of them occupy American pulpt5, some
of them with marked acceptance,
notably, DR. John Hall, of New York,
who at present is sOj0urning in this
country amid the scenes Of his boy
: hood.
4 There are a number of places In this
vicinity that are we'll worth visiting,
such as the "Giant's Oauseway, which
in its way is a wonderful place and has
been visited by thousands Of tourists,
Including not few scientific men.
About twelve miles from Belfast, loca-
n ted on beautiful bay is the town, Of
q Bangor, a pleasant aGd attractive wa
:, tering place, much freqUented during
s the Summer by the residents of Belfast.
D Your correspondent has enjoyed deep
o sea bathing there, for which the faclli-
o ties are excellent
, This little town with its abbey church
has quite a history. In the year 558
Saint Comgall settled there and estab-
: lished not merely church but col
I lege and schools as well. Presbyter-
4 ianism was introduced into Bangor
, about 1884 by Rev. Robert Blair, a
i professor in Glasgow University.
II Great complaint is made that so few
Q American tourists are visiting Ireland
J. the present summer. This of course is
owing to the disturbed state OF the
country. While in Dublin the spot in
Phoenix Park, where Lord Cavendish
q and Mr.. Burke were murdered, was
pointed cut to us, also the road by
!, which the murderers probably made
their escape.
The climate of Ireland is very mild,
naither very hot in summer nor cold