The Irish standard., 1894-09-08
STIRRING EPOCH.
Inter esting correspondence Which
Refers to the Unhappy
,.m Rising" Of 1898.
POPULAR FEELING In REGARD
To the Union, With Prophetic
Words as to the Result Of the
I .~ Unnatural Alliance.

In reading the following letters it must
be remember that Charlemont was
Protestant--not OF the far.seeing, en-
Eghtened type Of Grattan-and q Wing.
We must, bear in mind, too, that his
correspondents were drawn from the
Protestant minority--from class which
at that time was not characterized by
much breadth of view. Still, those.
points Notwithstanding, much can be
CLEANED from the manuscripts concern.
ing q stirring epoch.
The following letter refers to the un-
happy "rising' of 1898: Hal =
HALLIDAY TO CHARLEMoNr.--179S,
Aug. 8, Belfast.-'This famous town is
becoming from day to day less interest
ing; it resumes by degrees it's ordinary
features Of stupidity; our iails are now
but thinly inhabited; our courts martial
no longer sits for blood; our streets are
not go gaily adorned and incumbered
with heroes in red and blue; and. our
brisk juvenile military magistrates are
gradually relinquishing the civil depart
ment to our old, slow-eyed justices of
the peace. Even Newtownards, the
headquarters OF severity Ga priest sat
there as Judge sdvocate), exhibits sui
len acquiescenoe with the new, absurd
system Of mercy and humanity. Passing
through on Saturday, I took notice that
the gallows was struck, after suspending
no more than a beggarly dozen; here we
had but half that number who died with
such 'grinning' honors,' and may now
despair Of ever rivalling that psltry
borough in q display OF that first OF viz.
tues, loyalty, and it's favorite guardian,
wholesome severity. Yet, after all, our
tender mercies are in many instances
cruelties, useful members of society be-
ing banished, some for ever, for>no other
reason than that they had been confined
on groundless suspicious or for very
slight offences, which it required a
microscopic eye to magnify into guilt
In one instance, an old valuable, interest:
ing friend of mine, no inhabitant OF
this town, to purchase the life of
the only delinquent in his fami
ly, was obliged to Danish him
self and the whole of it forever. It CON
sists Of four sons and five daughters, one
of the former about to take his degree il
Dublin college, with applause, and whe
could have most satisfactory attestationl
Of his good conduct and principles.
great part OF my friends property, with
his books and valuable papers, had beer
; wontonly destroyed by the military In al
early stage of his business, and what re
mains of his valuables will not fetch
. through the suddenness Of his departur
and the complexion Of the times, one
half of their real value, I delivered tn
unvarnished tale to worthy lord of on
acquaintance, and he said it was JUS
and reasonable proceeding, and I sai
nothing. - f.. ..
"Lord Cornwallis has proved himsel
an able missionary by his oonvertin
that Savage, Glare; yet he will not b
able to save his soul; that was mortgage
long ago, and the mortgage will be fore
closed; his court Of equity cannot prs
vent that" ... 49,.
] A change came over the scene whe
the Orange organization began to res
it's head in the North. The dream of
united Ireland-the dream of I'll
united Irish nen--was not realized. Tt
pleasing visions of harmony were rudel
dispelled. Here is letter from Rev. ]
Hudson to Charlemont: r.
"1796, Oct. n, Portglenone.--M Man
thanks to your lordship for the bulleti
Our deliverances are so critical that tt
hand of providence is almost visabl
What I feared from the growth of part
spirit seems every day coming to pass.
must mention to your lordship strant
circumstance hich has come within n
knowledge. Being in the house Of
friend at some distance from this fe
days ago. saw paper empowering
person in that neighborhood to kee
arms, and signed, William Atkenso
captain commandant OF the arme
Orangemen OF county Antrim, al
u directed TO all whom it may concern
Oninquiry I found that Atkenson BIZ
asked the person to whom be sent th
protection whether company Of fOrang
men and Q proper captain could be hi
in his neighborhood, adding that th'
should have arms. Atkinson 10, / kno
high constable at Belfast, and 'grar
master Of the county Antrim; but b