Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-17

The Fytenian's journal, of Dablin, Ire
truthful letter from Frank Hugh O'Donncl,
NJ. p, from which We take the following
extract. us giving view of the Madagascar
matter, which may be new to many;
1t is not quite the fact that the French arc
making war on 'thc people Of Madagascar"
There happen to be several peoples in NADIA
gascar aud the Hovas with whom the
French are at war are a race of Malay, origin
who until the present century used TO pay
tribute TO the surrounding tribes, but having
formed themselves into despotic monarchy
have, in consequence of their greater unity
subjected large portion of the other AIala-
gassy peoples. The IIovas are rigorous
Shareholders, but as they have adopted, at
least outwardly, u sort Of Chtialianity-from
the agents of the London Missionary Society,
which docs not interfere with their favoritc
institution of hunting and slave
holding, and as under the advice of the
London missionaries they arc considerable
customers of English manufactures, their
cause makes u powerful appeal to the COM
bincd Scriptural and commercial principles
of the British nation the British horror OF
slavery being conveniently dropped for the
occasion. The general dress of Mnlagassy
man or woman used to be long robe OF
native cloth, called amJa, which extended
from shoulder 10 ankle on occasions of cerc-
mony, and which was worn loopod up for
ordinary work. The Converted" Malagassy
is instructed to throw away the LAMBDA OF
native cloth, and to array himself Instead in
n species of shirt aud drawers from the
cotton looms Of Lancashire; and the Rev.
Mr.. Sibrec, missionary Of the London So
cic.y, relates with Christian satisfaction that
the consular returns prove that each mission
airy of his sort represents CONNER cial gain
To British tiadc of aU average amount OF ten
thousand pounds sterling agar. Clearly
this is II practical application of Gospel
principles which has altogether escaped our
poor Irish priests who every year depart TO
the uttermost ends of the earth. IL is t. be
sadly feared that Father Pat aud Father
rom have never properly impr ssel upon
their native congregations from China to
Peru the saving qualities of Irish linen or
how the grace OF tiual perseverance habitu-
ally resides in suit of Barney tweed Not
to be unjust to SIr. Sibrec and his brother
evangelists, | should add that the London
missionary Is sometimes not satisfied with
being the cause of general advantage TO the
commerce of his country but pushes the
spirit of sef.sacriicc so far as himself to run
the dry-goods store at which the aforesaid
articles OF Lancashire produce are bcneti-
Gently dispensed at reasonable rate OF
profit.
Into the specific question of the treatment
| which the French Admiral Pierre may or may
| not have inflicted upon certain British sub
jccis or representatives at Tamatayc tauno,
| enter into the absence of precise nforma.
| ton. Ii the British consul and LondJn
| mil cinpuru lnu iprntnp,,I.l IL IN
have been on the ground that they were
acting sin the interest of the enemies OF
France" and perhaps conveying information
or aid to the Hovas. | oh; crvc, indeed, that
| tue dissenting press in London admit that
this may be the charge brought against tho
British subjects, and am certainly able to
| say that there is nothing impossible in the
| accusation. Ever since the Catholic minded
King Radama H. was assassinatcd in 1865
| and female puppet of the London Mission
AIRY party was placed on the ilova throne
| under the name of Ranavalono H., the Lon
don missionaries have teen the real rulers Of
as much OF Madagascar us was subject Il
tho Hova tyranny. The English consul wa'
| very influential through the missionaries
and it is recorded Of him that he successfully
prevented the imposition Of "A heavy tax OF
the importation of rum from the British
CuIOuy vi MuU'ltluS, anu llONd slu'c-OWu
ing christian" can Still get III roughl,
drunk on cheap, pasty rum, thanks to til,
English consul's considerable action. canno
say whether the English consul PERSONAL,
ran rum store himself. At any rate tn,
British rum distillcrs at Mauriius had reason
to be grateful to him. 1t would be only
| natural if under the circumstances both til,
| consul and the London missionaries wer,
heartily on the eide of the uovas, and consc
quently may have ovcrstcppcd the duties o
| neutrals in their zeal.