Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-23

! Do one OF nSnu. Inc Cnle1 OIL bno present
English government recently prescribed as
a remedy for Irish discomfort twenty years
coercion. He forgot the historical fact that
since the act union there have been eighty
six years of coercion, and that the spirit OF
the people is sterner and higher to-day than
ever it was before. For coercion he was
quite prepared, and to coercion Lord
Salisbury will most a;suredly be forced
to come, although the policy of the
new government seems to DO to try
and atave off stern measures for
awhile. They will, however, soon find out
their mistake. To the concession of justice
and liberty there is no alternative By coer-
cion. The imagine that Ireland could get
along peacefully for even six months under
| the rule ef the new Castereagh is to set
down our people as crazy or fools. In the
coming winter the laws of nature itself will
| forbid the possibility of peace. The tenant
| farmers of Ireland have played part too
little known and appreciated here. They
submitted to untold privation and sufIerings
and emotions in patience and in silence, lest
| by one word or act of theirs they should
| embarrass their leaders in Parliament or re-
tard by one moment the concession of home
rule. The landlords of Ireland noted but to.
tally misunderstood the meaning Of the
change of attitude. They mstook forbear.
auce and patriotism for cowardice, and the
croWbar brigade once more set TO work.
Still the tenants suffered il silence. Mr..
Gladstone proposed a land bill which would
have bought out the landlords at an ex-
travagantly high figure, yet the Irish ten
ants were ready, because it was coupled with
the cOncs ssion Of home rule, TO pay this eX-
orhi!ant sum as the price TO be paid for
Il pvt all ~ f,r Fp-
bearance on their part is now gone; the sands
have run through the hour-glass, and the
old fight between landlord and tenant must
revive if the people are not to be swept out
of existence while they are waiting for home
rule. Once more Irish landlords hayo be-
haved with unaccountable folly and stupid
ity. They have once more stood between
Ireland and her freedom, and have refused
even an extravagant price for their land be-
cause the offer was coupled with the conces.
sion Of an Irish Parliament. So be it. /
believe that the last offer has been made to
Irish landIordsm The ultimate settlement
of this question must now be reserved for
The Parliament CT Ireland, and meantime
the peoplo must take care to protect them.
selves and their children. In many parts
of Ireland l assert that rent is TO day an
impossibility, and in every part of Ireland
The rents demanded are eXorbitant and will
not and cannot he paid. The old struggle
will be revived, and before three months
are over the new government will be forced
as OF old, in defense ofthe rents Of the land
lords, to attempt TO forge anew the fetters
Of coercion.
Gentlemen, I have now done. The mem
o!y OF this day will live with me while
memory lasts The effects of the work upon
which you have been engaged will, I be-
lieve, live and he felt so long as this strug
gle continues. Your wisdom will guide our
policy yGur courage will inspire our hearts
your marvellous union will excite our emu.
laticn. You have good reason indeed to be
proud Of the proceedings of this day. You
are in truth engaged in noble and sa-
cred work -northing less than championine
the weak against the strong. the helpless
against the powerful, the afflicted against
the prosperous. You have long since earn
ed for yourselves and your adopted country
tho blessings cf tho poor, and rest assured
when at last victory sits upon our cause and
freedom is sgain enihroned in Ireland you
also will reap a reward, for the God of the
poor aud the oppressed, the God Of Justice
and Of mercy, will nlso increase your pros.
.perity and watch eternaliy over your libeT-
lies