The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-21

spicuous in the corresponding movement In
America while under the Influence OF the
national spirit. animosities Of the most dan
gerous and invetorate character we're rapidly
fading. The hostility OF the Anglican TO the
Presbyterian seemed to have wholly ceased;
the division between the Protestant and the
Catholic had been greatly diminished. From
first to last the two great ends Of the Irish patr
ots had been steadily maintained and cordially
combined. They were resolved to obtain for
their country the constitutional freedom which
England had secured by the revolution OF 1888.
and they were no less firmly resolved to pre-
serve a sincere. strenuous and fruitful loyalty
to the Crown and the connection with Great
Britain.
Mr. Lecky shows that in 1882 the establish
ment Of legislative independence had become
inevitable from the simple lmpossibility Of gov
erning Ireland on any other condition. The
overwhelming majority OF the classes In whose
hands the administration OF the country prac-
tically lay were determined to obtain 1t. and
no Government could have long delayed 1t;
but the merit OF conceding 1t was reserved for
o Wing Administration. The historians re-
view Of the agitation closes with the
memorable meeting OF the Irish Parlia-
ment on May ~. 1884. when Lord Car
isles successor in the viceregal office. the
Duke of Portland. announced that all British
statutes interfering with the legislative inde-
pendence Of Ireland had been or would be re-
pealed. and that the King was prepared to give
his unconditional assent to acts to prevent
the suppression Of bills in the Privy Council Of
this kingdom. and the alteration OF them any
where" The large meaning OF this declaration
was concisely expressed by Grattnn when. on
rising to move an address Of thanks. he said.
" 1 understand that Great Britain gives up in
toto every claim TO authority over Ireland"
In this manner. just q century ago. with
out the efusion Of q drop OF blood,
and with sngularly little Of violence and
disorder. the whole political system of Ireland
was changed. and a great revolution was ac-
complished. which Burke described without ex.
aggeration as the irish analogue of the Eng.
lish revolution of 1888.
Abuses. perplexities. and dangers no doubt,
lay thickly around the infant constitution.
and there was. above all. to be encountered
the extreme difficulty OF making it work
In harmony with the Parliament Of Great
Britain. Yet. when all this has been &C.
knowedged. Mr.. Lecky submits that q
noble work had been nobly achieved. Ireland
from the slave OF England. had now risen to the
dignity OF independence. and she participated
at last. though unhappily but for brief period
in all that was best In the English Constitution.
Mr.. Leeky quotes remarkable letter written at
this time by Burke to Charlemont. and ex-
pressing with much vividness the prevailing
sentiments of the best Observation-Disclosures
which. before the close OF another quarter OF o
century. were to be displaced by resentment.
Indignation. and despair. Il am convinced"
wrote Burke. in words singularly appropriate
to the present crisis In the relations OF ireland
to Great Britain. that no reluctant tie can be
n strong one. and that q natural. cheerful al
lance will be q far securer link OF connection
than any principle Of subordination borne with
grudging and discomfort"