Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-15
Medieval LAW IN IRELAND.

In one of his "Noccs Ambrosian,e" Prof.
wills VI makes one of his characters declare
tina, Tom Mo)re's vcrs, would have IA short
lived vogue because the woes of Ireland, 20
which so much OF II relates, would soon be
ended b. the pacifcation of that unhappy
country, and, the subject being forgotten,
the songs would not oulast it. The next
generation, he thought would have forgotten
Moore and his poetry. Since those words
were written two generations have passed
away, and Ireland is no better of and if
the standing of Moore depended upon the
duration oNhe state Of Affairs upon which he
wrote, there is every indication of u
long eternity for him. The gaunt
spectre of famine stares Ireland In
the ficc; aad besides this fear for the
future in some p1r ipns of the country there
is present evil of vast dimensions in the
shape OF q DISCRIMINATION of soc ETY. aud n
lndlion VI affairs analogous to the terror
ism reiguing in some portions of Russia. AS
has heretofore been announced, in the city
OF Dublin there has been revived and put in
operation a law which was contrivcd by Will
liam the Conqueror and introduced from
Normandy as means of d'sciplinng the
vanquished English. This is known as the
curiew section of the repression act, which
reads "ln proclaimed district, if II person
is out OF his place of abode II, any time after
one hour later than sunset and before sunrise
under suspicious circumstances, any consta-
bic may arrest that person and bring him
forthwith before justice of the peace, and
such justice, after inquiry into the circums
tanCc Of tn case, may either discharge him
or take the necessary steps, by committing
him to prison or taking bail, to bring him
before court of summary jurisdiction acting
under this ac, and If such person on appearing
before such court fails to satisfy the court that
lie was ont of his place Of abode upou some
lawful occasion or business, he shall be guilty
oil an offence against this act.
The enforcement of this law plliny shows
the condition of Ircland's principal city.
Government officials are living in a state of
terrorism. Assassination is to be prevented
only by body-guards of police and soldiers.
JUDGES have TO move about sheltered by the
protecting arm of the Police and men are
afraid to serve upon iutics And the temper
OF Tie Enel 'sh people can be easily seen in
the fact that this curicw law was passed by n
liberal ministry, and indicates that the hour
for lenicncy has passed, and hereafter a mcr-
cilqss system If coercion and reprcs,ivc lcgis-
latiDh will be carried out. America ia, in
some quarters Of England very bitterly blamed
for aggravatng the situation 10y encouraging
and toleratIng "a band of dynamite conspira-
tors, whose open and avCwcd mission is as
sussinntion and destruction. and who are I'M
doubleday in communication with their broth
rcn in Dublin." This view, however, is held
by lut few of the mere ranCorous Conscr-
vltivcs. and, it need hot be said, it has no
foundation in fact. America, however does
sympathzc with Ireland in her troubles. 1t
sympalhzes with the hopes and aspirations
OF those who arc her real friends. 1t hopes
that her people will show by their self-con-
medieval laws as that we have quoted are
needed. 1t does not sympathizc with the
assas,ins who have disgrdccd their country
ard theLs Ives, nor is ii beyond reason that
this country should at the same time SYM
pathilc with Ireland in her struggle and at
the same time condemn the cold-bloodcd
murdCrers who would make patriotism a
shield for assassination. In regard TO the
possibility of "A famine, it is said that the
crops have been so bad in tho West that it
is feared, without prompt help, the coming
Winner will witness more misery and slarva-
ton thaG any known in Ireland since the
horrors of ls46-41. If these forebodiugs are
realized America will show her sympathy in
a practical manner, as it has done before, on
more than one occasion and in every proper
way Ireland will have the support and en-
c]uragcmcnt of this country.