The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-12

"hHt EElhuu NOV uNthVe
We Americans have a deep concern in
what goes on in Ireland. The state OF that
unhappy island, 50 far from being to us a
foreign question, might well be classified
under the news head Of Domestic Affairs.
This Is the Irishman's land Of refuge, his
country OF the future Ireland is his love,
but America Is his hope.
For more than a third Of a century the
tide has been pouring in upon US in vary
ing aud now increasing volume. From the
year OF the great famine to 1880 over two
millions OF Irish persons arrived in New
York City, the largest but not the only
important port. In 1880 81, 900 emigrated,
the most OF them to the United States.
Tne prospect is that we shall receive
10000 this year. Some OF them have
managed by stern economy to a a
little money, and will have something left
after landing; some are brought over by
friends who will help them to get on their
feet; some are shipped BY the government
TO save poor rates and 'thin out" malcon'
tents, and il our consuls correctly informs
us, they will be fortunate to have five dol
lars in their pockets when they la1d at
Castle Garden. Sometimes newcomers
fall into employment at once, and some
times they do not. When they do not
somebody must shelter and feed them, and
whether this he done by private or public
charity it is u tax on us. A little more
than a hundred years ago we entered a
stout protest against taxation without rep
resn,atioh, and it has been our boast that
we carried our point with some glory.
CuriousIy enough the same power is tax
ing US nov without asking our leave; and
it is, though not technically, a very direct
taxation, too.
From the information gathered by our
Consul General in London through our
Consuls in Ireland, it seems that there is
little hope OF a better condition at an early
dy; and unless our Government can find
a way to turn away assisted emigration"
the deportation OF pauperS and other de-
pendents-we may as well set our teeth
and brace ourselves to bear up against the
tide as best we may. There other sad
passages in these consular exports which
deserve mere than passing attention. For
example, the Consul at Limerick writes;
~ do not believe that any exceptional
distress prevails among the laboring classes
in this city" The Consul at Waterford
writes: mo exceptional distress exists IN
the county OF Kilkenny, at the same time
the people are enigra!ing every day,
and there is every prospect OF the
number Of emigrants increasing in.
stead Of decreasing" The Consul
Generals summary explains the meaning
Of these matter OF fact reports: an the
poorer agricultural districts the situation
OF the peasantry is miserable and abject
poverty is the rule; but sad as it is, it has
been the same for years, and has become
the normal condition Of life;" and further,
"the prospects OF amelioration in the i'm.
mediate future are most Encouraging"
Chronic poverty, constitutional misery, is
the normal condition Of life, which does
not become exceptional until the people
begin to die, in great numbers, OF famine!
What is the trouble in Ireland, q fertile
country ahead oil England in climate, con-
gested in localities but far from overpeo.
plel, endowed with rich mineral deposits,
navi,able streams and numerous fine
harbors unsurpassed anywhere and in
almost q score OF which the largest men OF
war can ride at safe anchorage; a country
which has been the home Of prosperous
people, OF diversified industries, which
built ships extensively and sailed them
proHtabIy2 Ireland is afflicted with land.
lordism, and all that goes with it; the OPP.
preaive rule Of England, and all that goes
with that. But the landlords might be
wiped out, and the political dependence Of
England wiped out, and Ireland would
still be poor and miserable unless she
threw up a barrier to protect herself against
the low.priced manufactures Of England.
Poor as Ireland Is, II free trade be the poor
mans blessing she ought to be blessed.
An eminent Englishman, with an eye to
see and a heartto feel, wrote rethan thirty
years ago: "For nearly half a century Ire
land has had perfect free trade with the
richest country in the world, with which
steamboats, and railways have now con-.
nected her more closely than ever. What
has free trade done for her? The truth is,
the misery Of Ireland is not from the
human nature that grows there-it is from
mistaken legislation, past and present"
= All will now at length allow that the
old English policy Of preventing or de-.
s!roying Irish manufacturing industries
was not only unjust, but highly d~isadyant.
ageous to England as well as Ireland,
inhicting as 1t did on Irelan1 the curse Of
inyeterate pauperism and mendicancy.
Misery has produced discomfort, insubor.
dlnation, insecurity. ireland will certainly
not make her cloths, her silk and cotton
goods, her hats, her leather, her shoes,
her ploughs, her spades, her knives, her
steam engines; for it is cheaper to buy
every one Of them from England ready
made. But she has not the means to buy
to any extent. She will continue to dc