The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-04

THE New York World recently published a
the free-trade champion, in which he endeav-
ored to show the falseness of the charge that
the manufacturing industries of Ireland were
destroyed by British free trade. Mr.. Patrick
Egan, formerly treasurer of the Irish Land
League, and an intimate associate Of Mr.. Par.
nell in the home-rule cause, replies to Mr..
Hurd in a letter which bristles with facts,
and demonstrates, beyond a shadow of doubt,
that British free trade has been the main
cause of the destruction of Irish industries.
He shows that prior to 1882 the manufacture
ing interests of Ireland were suppressed by
unfriendly legislation in the interest of En-
gland. When the independence of the Irish
Parliament was secured in 17S2, one of the
first acts of that body was to establish protect
i've duties upon all importations, including
those from England. In the words of Thomas
Davis, this was done partly from a belief
that projection alone could secure a beginning
to trade, and partly out of retribution on En-
gland" From 1882 to 1900 Ireland enjoyed a
high degree of manufacturing prosperity. and
made wonderful progress. In January. 1900,
while the proposed union was pending, the
manufacturers of Dublin met and passed the
following:
Resolved, That previous to the year 1872,
while the Parliament of Great Britain as
sumed a control over the Parliament of this
country, our manufactures were in a lam
gushing and decayed state.
THAT since that period, having had the
benefit of enjoying the parental care and So
licitude of a resident Parliament. the manu-
features of Ireland nave increased in q rapid
manner.
THAT we behold with anxious concern any
attempt made to deprive as of that Parlia-
ment aud submit the regulation of our manu-
features to the Parliament of another coun-
try, under whose partial influence they had
been nearly annihilated.
THAT an humble address be presented to
Parliament, expressive of our gratitude for
the unremitting protection we have expert
enced from them, and praying that they will
not ~relinquish or transfer to a rival country
the guardianship of the manufactures of Ire
ldDu, Oh WHICH OuI Colu1OKtSy LAY, tue e4lSt-
ence Of so many thousands, depend"
The contamination of the union in 1900
and the adoption of British free trade was
the beginning Of the end of Irish manufacture.
The whole policy of Great Britain since the
union has been to crush out Irish manu-
features and make Ireland pay tribute to
England in this regard as in every other.
This is the invariable commercial policy Of
Great Britain, and precisely what the Golden
Club and its American aiders and abettors
would accomplish here. Mr.. Egan concludes:
eff Ireland has become so prosperous un-
der English free trade, as Mr.. Hurd would
nave us believe, why have there been from
1916, when free trade was established, down
to the end of 1880. according to government
returns, 19S, 900 ejectments, representing
nearly 10, 000, 900 persons evicted from their
homes in Irelandf Why has the population
of Ireland decreased from $500, 900 in 1876 to
4. 200. 900 today Why are the Irish people
still flying away from their homes as from a
pest-housef Why are Irelands manufactures
and on the verge of bankruptcy
Because English free trade has killed our
Irish manufactures, aud because Ireland has
nc power to put on a protective tariff to give
them a fresh start and to nurture them"