New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-30

veloping trade with other countries and so be-
gan their prosperity. Especially did they culti-
vate trade with the British colonies But then
the mischievous Stuart policy interfered again
with a navigation act which largely prohibited
trade between Ireland and the colonies except
ing by way of England. In this manner the vol
une of Irish commerce was decreased and Irish
shipping nearly destroyed.
If after this oppressive treatment at Stuart
hands strove to keep the Stuarts on the throne
and rose in rebellion in their behalf, we cannot
greatly wonder that the new administration
after the Revolution, regarded Ireland with little
favor. The repressive policy established by the
Stuarts was maintained and even intensified.
Act after act was adopted for the restriction
OF Irish commerce, and for the consequent dis
couragement Of Irish industry. The island grew
more and more impoverished crisis came In
1779. Grattan moved in the Irish Parliament
an amendment 10 the Address TO the Throne,
declaring plainly that the only way to relieve
ireland of distress and to enable it 10 assist
Great Britain was Ito open it's ports for the ex-
portation Of all it's manufactures" His pro-
posal was strongly supported. but it was finally
thought mere polite to substitute for it another
motion framed by Flood, declaring that it is
not by temporary expedients. but by free trade
alone, that this nation is to be saved from i'm
pending ruin" The adoption of that amend
ment was greeted with unmeasured enthusiasm,
and Free Trade or a Revolution became q
popular cry. There some disturbances
and preparations for more; before which the
English government. already sorely embarrassed
by the American war. found it convenient to
yield Lord North introduced into the Parlia-
u1ent at Westminster a series Of resolutions for
the relief of ireland. These provided for free
trade But, as we have said, it was for free
export and not import trade.
The enactment Of Lord North's measure did
not. however, give Ireland much relief, because
the various wars in which England was en-
gagged restricted trade. Agitation for a fuller
measure OBJ Irish independence. therefore, con-
tinued. Especially did there now arise de-
mand for a protective tariff. England. 1t was
observed. had a protective tariff, under which
her manufacturers and agriculturists enjoyed
great advantages over those of Ireland. AS
early as 1880 therefore. the Irish began to ask
for protection as earnestly as they had year
or two before asked for free trade There was.
however, no contradiction or incengruity be-
tween the two demands. They wanted free
export trade, but not a free import trade. They
protested against prohibitory export duties. but
they demanded protective import duties. In
stead of being a reversal OF their formal de-
mand then their latter demand was merely
logical sequel to it. The answer to their de-
rnand came in 1854 in Fosters law That law
increased the duties on certain imports, and pro-
vided for bounties on certain exports. The et-
feet was immediate and benehcent a great and
decisive impulse toward tillage was given, acute
distress ceased, manufactures fourished and
the wellbeing Of all classes Of the population
was materially enhanced. Fosters law, it may
be observed in passing, was closely modelled
after the English corn laws as they then existed
and had existed since the revolution. 1t was
simply a step toward giving to Ireland uniform
treatment with England.
But the state Of affairs thus established was
not permitted long to prevail There arose
among selfish English and Scotch tradesmen
determination TO gain renewed control Of Irish
trade so as to repress and restrict it for their
own benefit as they pleased. This was seen to
be impossible so long as Ireland enjoyed her
measure Of legislative independence. Therefore
they hit upon the expedient of effecting a legis-
lative union OF Ireland with Great Britain. IL
the Dublin Parliament was abolished, they
thought and Ireland ruled directly from
Westminster. they could do with her as they
pleased The large part which such considera-
tions had in bringing about the union has not
always had its due place in the history of the
United Kingdom. DR.. Murray pays much but
not. we think, too much. attention to it. OF
course there were other causes leading to the
union, and various circumstances facilitated it.
The French war in 1897 put a great strain upon
Ireland, and the political rebellion in Ireland
added to it. The war disturbed commerce and
brought distress upon the island, that it stooG
face to face with ruin. These things opened the
way fer the union But it is to be remembered
that Foster and the others who had striven for
Irelands commercial emancipation were among
the strongest opponents of the union.
Under the union Ireland forthwith became
tied to England's fiscal system. That was dis
astrous to her. She needed the same fiscal IN
dependence that England enjoyed. but not
identical fiscal laws. Her commercial and in
dustrial development at different stage
from that of England. and needed treatment
according TO its own individual condition More
over the fiscal legislation OF the United King
dom was dictated bly, England and Scotland
and was framed in accordance with their needs
and desires, and with little or no regard for
Ireland The result a decline OF Irish pros
perity. Then came the great famine, and upon
II the repeal of the Corn laws. The curious de-
fusion has here and there seemed to prevail
that the Corn laws were repealed because of
the Irish famine and for the relief of starving
Ireland. The fact is that instead Of benehting
Ireland that repeal did II incalculable harm
It inflicted death blow upon Irish agriculture.
1t sent Irish industries down 10 the vanishing
point 1t opened the way for the worst evils
Of landlordism. 1t drove millions OF Irish into
exile. British free trade has been o. IF the
chief contributors TO the pauperizatior Ire
land.
All these and all other essential phases of the
complex subject DR.. Murray discusses with ad-
mirable patience and painstaling as to detail
with fine catholicity and impartiality. with a
sound and ripe judgment Of motives, causes and
effects, and with agreeable style which makes