New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-30
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Impartial historians like Mr.. Lecky have held
England accountable for the industrial ruin of
Ireland. The charge is one which can be easily
sustained by indisputable evidence. One in
dustry after another was assailed and crushed
by English legislation, and even agriculture was
restricted. Flourishng manufactures were
prohibited by arbitrary enactments; sheep
raising and the woollen industry were brought
| to an end by restrictions imposed by the gov
erning country; and even cattle-raising was
sacrificed when it became one of the chief agri
cultural interests of the island, the expectation
of live stock being prohibited i'll order to pro-
tect English farmers. An inquitous land law
would have been comparatively harmless if the
tcnantIy, instead of being constantly forced
back upon the soil, could have found employ
ment in manufactures and commerce. With
the exception OF agriculture in restricted forms
and the linen trade, Ireland has been without
industrial pursuits in recent times; and the con-
sequence has been that the population when
crowded or starved out Of its farms OF holdings
has been unable to find other means of subsst-
ence and has been forced to emigratc Pro-
hibitOry duties and cnactments interdcting ex-
port trade with foreign countries and even with
England could not be enforced after the legisa-
tive union of the countries was effected. But the
industrial activities of the impoverished island
had been completely paralyzed. 4 restoration of
the once tlOurShing national industries was I'M
possible during an era of free trade. English
economists completed the ruin which English
Legislators and NicerOys had originally caused
In view of these facts fair-minded Englishmen
cannot help feeling that some TeparatiOn is due
to the island for the destruction of its industries
through the misgoycrnment and apacity of
former generations and through the economic
theories of the Golden school. An article in
the new Conservative magazine The National
Eerier, discusses the historical aspects of this
question with fairness and ability, conceding
that England in by-gone times stamped out
various industries in Ireland for political OF
selfish ends, and that the effects of that policy
are seen to-day i'll the decay of seaports, the
neglect of mines and quarrics, the absence of
warehouses; factories and mills and the pres
cnce of discomfort and poverty. The writer
proposes as an untiicd remedy for Irish gIiev-
anccs the restoration of the manufactures and
industries of the island, and contends that a
measure OF judiciOuS assistance in the develops
mcnt of these new interests and in the prcpara-
ton of the people for other occupations than
agriculture is an act Of justice which England
ought to grant. The remedy which ne suggests
seems to lis IA very mild and inefficient one 1t
is industrial education. BY extending the pres
cnt system of industrial schools and by putting !
elementary education not only on 4 compulsory, !
but also on a mixed academic and industrial !
basis, he hopes 10 promote an interest in new
method, of occupation and TO give the rising |
generation political training that would en-
able it to do something besides raise potatoes i'm |
a bog. For the development of these industries |
he suggests the payment of subsidies 70 clever |
students, Government supervision OF the tech |
meal schools, and various methods of cncour- |
agcmcnt of patcrnal character on the part of |
the civil authorities.
Industrial education will be of little Use iii |
Ireland 50 long as there are no hourishng |
III existence to offer employment .
to trained WOrlmcn. no educational scheme
can avail 70 restore the old-ti activity in
and other pursuits so long as
there are economic causes operating against he
establishment of those industries. No series of
State prizes official trade guilds, cunningly-dc-
yiSed trcatisos and manuals, OF amiablc devices
OF paternal government can create Irish manu-
features and restore the prosperity Of the
people. The author virtually comedies this,
while he seriously discusses his artificial hints
for industrial education. lie admits that free
trade, or unrestricted competition with all the
I" world, has helped to snuff out the few remain