River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-11-23
IRELAND
Conditions Past and Present
By KATE CARPENTER pR1NDIE.

land, we must get into the heart 81
her yesterdays condition. This
condition of yesterday is her ole
garment, which she is trying to dis
card. The condition of to-day is
her new garment, made out of some
new threads and some old. The
old garment had to be raveled and
fringed out considerably to be fitted
into the new This new garment
has most promisingly beautiful,
variegated train, made out of a
brand new Land Bill. Ireland is
putting it on, and standing before
her mirror. The question before
her is-will it fit, and how will it
wear. The new threads are all good
and long leagues long, united Irish
leagues of promise. She looks at
her new train with pride and salts
faction, and she reflects that in time
it can be trimmed off with amend
ments and bills and things and it
will make the finest walking skirt
she ever had.
I would like to remind you briefly
of that pitiful old garment that
England made for Ireland so many
years ago, such misfit it was, a
misfit for Ireland, and fit for no
country in a civilized world, But
poor Ireland was squeezed into it.
The corners were tucked in and she
was ordered to wear it or starve, to
wear it and starve-to Starve any
way, or to emigrate. This became
Ireland's object in life, to raise her
sons and daughters to send to
America. Do you wonder that Ire
land wishes her dressmaking all
done at home?
Prior to the English invasion in
the 18th century, ireland was known
throughout the world. She had the
seminaries and law schools to which
students focked from ali parts of
Europe. Monasteries, where were
trained philosophers, writer's, must
clans, poets, historians, and above
all, missionaries, destined to spread
the light of the Gospel throughout
Europe. The church preserved
learning until learning and the
church and independence passed
away together. Schools fourished
in spite of all earlier invaders, one
of their rules being that all students
from abroad should be fed and
lodged free. Ireland sent her ex-
ports over the world. The cattle
trade alone brought her a large
revenue. Her cattle, hides, tallow,
cured meats, wool, glass and many
other things were exported in Irish
ships to eastern countries, and to
England. How vast her commerce
might have become may be imagined
when we remember that of her thir-
ty counties nineteen are maritime
and most of the others washed by
copious rivers that flow into the
sea. Economists have said that in
Ireland there is enough water power
TO run the machinery of the world.
The English invaders encountered
gigantic difficulties in subduing the
people of Ireland. They did not
submit tamely to the confscation Of
their lands. 'Ghe annals of century
after century are only repetitions of
the same tragic story of rebellion
and massacre. 1t was problem
of right and might. Laws were
passed during each successive reign,
laws to suppress the native parlia-
ment, the schools, the manufac-
lures and the religion of Ireland.
Nothing could be sent to England
which the English could produce.
Nothing was allowed to be produc-
ed in Ireland which could be sent
there from England. Nothing could
be sent from Ireland to foreign
country that England could send
there. 1t is not difficult to multiply
nothings together, but to get some
thing for the result, that has
troubled manyimillions of Irishmen
and is still vexatious question for
which no axiom has ever been found
to help them.
England wished to train her
adopted child in the way she should
go-thel straight and narrow way.
The way began by confiscating her
land. This was disposed of in a
variety of ways, adapted to the var
led whims of the various whimsical
monarchs. 1t was sold to replenish
the royal exchequer. 1t was given
in large grants to the monarchs'
favorites. This laid the foundation
of the system of landlordism. These
landlords, not feeling disposed to
live on their newly-acquired estates,
appointed agents, or bailiffs, to
manage their affairs, thus laying