Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-24
The Situation in Ireland.

The present aspect of the situation in
Ireland is curious and Interesting. Mr..
Gladstone has announced his intention
to move that the repression bill have
precedence over all other business until
its consideration is concluded, and pro-
poses afterwards to ask for the prece-
dence Of the arrears of rent bill. In
other words, he proposes at one moment
the enactment Of a most severe and
stringent measure, which will place the
Irish people at the absolute mercy of the
British Government, and make the Lord
Lieutenant Of the Island supreme ruler
and dictator, while the next moment he
proposes a measure to relieve the tenant
classes, place them in position to enjoy
the benefits Of the land act, and become
owners Of the soil they cultivate.
To the casual observer this line of con-
duct seems contradictory. Yet upon a
little reflection it will be seen that it is
justifable by circumstances, and can
readily be explained. The majority of
the Irish people are said to be in favor of
law and order. These desire the &C.
complishment of their ends by peaceable
means, and discOuntenance the resort
to such terrible measures Of re-
dress as murder, outrage and assas-
sination. On the other hand, it cannot
be denied that there is large and hot
headed class of the population of that
country who cordially hate England
with much malignant hatred-such men
as O'Donovan Rosa, for instance-who
despise everything like yielding to British
law and British rule, and who charsc-
terize such assassinations as that of Lord
Cavendish and Mr.. Burke as righteous
executions" To repress by the Sc
verest measures this class Of violators of
law and disturbers Of the peace, and, at
the same time, to encourage the orderly
and law-abiding, are evidently the mo-
tives which. at present, impel Mr.. Glad
stone in his course. He regards the re-
preston bill as an act necessary to en-
force justice and prevent future out
RACES and crimes, while he desires to
afford relief and encouragement to the
well disposed. In a word, he shows
commendable disposition to temper JUS
tice with mercy.
Doubtless this hotheadism among GER
tain Of the Irish leaders, and their re-
fusal to be reconciled by any terms short
of absolute independence of Great Bri-
tain. is the most serious obstacle which
Mr.. Gladstone has to encounter in his
policy of Cancellation. No longer than on
last Sunday Michael Davitt, addressing
mass meeting at Manchester. declared
that nobody lamented the recent murders
more than he, or would 90 more to pre-
vent such crimes in future, but he also
declared that without the presence of the
British police and military, the property
of Irish landlords would not be worth
months purchase, and he encouraged
such a sentiment. At this distance from
the scene. and perhaps not thoroughly
understanding all the minutis of Irish
politics, it strikes us that such language,
at this time. is decidedly injudicious, to
say the least. The Irish hand is in the
British lions mouth; the British
mind is vet innamed over the
very murders which Mr.. Davitt pro-
fesses to deplore, and the repression act
is just On the verge of being passed by
Parliament. Yet Mr.. Davitt, in the face
Of all these facts, deliberately defes the
government, and virtually tells it there
can be no peace IN Ireland or no value to
property without the presence Of British
police and British military. Since the
property Of the Irish landlords does
exist, and since they have rights in such
property that must be protected, what
can the British Government do but take
Mr.. Dsvitt at his word, and cause Ire
land 10 swarm with soldiery and policei