Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-04-20
ENGLAND AND IRELAND.

To the editor of the alexandria Gazette:
Ina conversation to-day with son OF
Hibernia of seven years standing in this
country, he said, ''in the event of war be-
tween England and Russia, Ireland may
have chance" and appealed 10 me for my
opiuion about it, l said in reply, Ireland
has no chance whatever without foreign
aid. aud how is that TO reach her? England
has the most powerful navy in the world
which she is actively equipping for posi-,
bic contest She will dispatch a powerful
feet to the Baltic sea, one to the Mediterra-
mean and Black seas, one to the eastern
seas aud one TO the Pacific, while her chan
mel fleet" will form an impenetrable Gordon
around her fus.-anchored isle, isolatlng Ire
land from all the outside world. But sup
pose these floating batteries could be, at
auy point, penetrated and forces landed IN
Ireland adequate for the time being TO set
I'D a local government, it would be- under
this foreign power, which might prove 10
be far more coercive and Objectionable to
the people Of Ireland than the supplanted
rule. No peace could be reached or enter
tanned by England while such foreign pow.
er remained GU that island. peace would
ecessarily require its retirement, "hen
| Ireland if she did not submit vt once, Would
he rsconuuered in thirty days by England
Before / had fairly finished my remarks
the old gentleman left me almost upon a
run with a loud grunt, but no reply.
No American can have warmer feelings
to wards the Irish people than |, or more ar
IDENTIFY wish to see that noble race OF men
have liberal government and prosperity
but it is very clear that union with Eng
land is Ireland's only saleiy-in short the
united kingdom" rs il stands to day, is q
mutually advantageous bond conducive to
the good of the whole, and no man in any
of its parts that go TO make up the whole
should desire anything else than union, aud
close union, for mutual protection and pre-
seryation. They must seek reform IN a
wise and moderate presentation OF facts 10
the legislative department of the unloa, ~
which body the Irish people have rateable
representation.
set forth some years ago by American
statesmen with reference 10 the island OF
Cuba being taken possession Of by the
United States ia certain contingencies, Tor
our own protection, had any point, how
much more imperative it becomes England
to control Ire,and-by nature add geog-
raphy part of her very household-and to
see that no foreign enemy gets there foot
| hold against her own safety AID independ-
ence.
No, England will never, while she can
muster a soldier and fire gun, give up
Ireland. Let no man, there or here, deluur
himself with such fanciful haiucination ;
and I for one will say, though an American.
born of the fourth generation, If there
should be a change (which is not likely, |
had rather see every other nation blot
ted from the map of Europe than that
of England, or to see her IN any
way crippled While l have no feeling
against any, and wish them all well,
vet trust England'S hug will continue to
wave over every foot of land where it now
is, and that it may never grow less. Any
people in Europe, Asia or Africa will be
fortunate to have that flag to wave over
them. A fall or diminution If English pres
tige would be calamity IT, the world and
to mankind.
England, the original source OF American liber
ty has been lberalizing her system; get more for
long years she is still advancing in that direction.
about as fast as is consistent with due regard 10
the preservation of society and vested rights
She is becoming and moro democratic in
practice, if not in thcOry--porhaps little too
iast-while in the o. g. we have gone So far be-
yond the line of safety as to have absolutely
jnopardized everything, and unless we c1rtail We
| shall within twenty years from date have 10
create, and keep, standing army OF Io,ooo
| nlcI to sid the civil power to control and kcrp
order Lc. no hair Drained loon doubt the truth
and wisdom Of this, or attempt to rdicule the
| verify Of the inevitable. DEMoCRITUs.
". j., FauQuier County, Va, April 10.
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