The Land War In Ireland - A History For The Times

THE LAND-WAR IN IRELAND A HISTORY FOR TEE TIMES JAMES GODKIN AUTHOR OP lllELAXD AJH BXH OHUHCHBtS LATB IRISH OOEHBSPONDBNT O THE TIUJtH MAOMILLAN AND CO. 1870 A. U rig hit rettived JB1FT1D BT 8TOIXISWOODE AKD CO., BEW-STBUT BQCA2B PREFACE. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT to name any subject so much, discussed during the last half century, as the con dition of Ireland. There was an endless diversity of opinion but in one thing all writers and speakers agreed the condition was morbid. Ireland was always sick, always under medical treatment, always subject to enquiries as to the nature of her maladies, and the remedies likely to effect a cure. The royal commissions and parliamentary committees that sat upon her case wore innumerable, and their reports would fill a library. Still the nature of the disease, or the complication of diseases, was a mystery. Sundry c boons were prescribed, by way of experi ment but, though recommended as perfect cures, they did the patient no good. She was either very low and weak, or so dangerously strong dnd violent that she had to be put under restraint. Whenever this crisis arrived, she arrested the special attention of the state doctors. Consultations were held, and it was solemnly determined that something should be done. Another effort should be made to discover the fans malorum, and dry it up if possible. KANSAS CITY MO. PUBLIC LIBRARY VI PllEFACE. A diseased nation, subject to paroxysms of in sanity, and requiring 30,000 keepers, was a dangerous neighbour, as well as a serious financial burden. Yet many contended tliat all such attempts were useless. It was like trying different kinds of soap to whiten the skin of a negro. The patient was incurable. Her ailmentwas nothing but natural perversity, aggravated by religious delusions and the root of her disorder could never be known till she was sub jected to a post mortem examination, for which it was hoped emigration, and the help of improving landlords, would soon afford an opportunity. In the meantime, the strait waistcoat must be put on, to keep the patient from doing mischief. But at length a great physician arose, who declared that this state of things should not continue the honour, if not the safety, of England demanded that the treatment should be reversed. Mr. Gladstone understands the case of Ireland, and he has courage to apply the proper remedies. Yet the British public do not understand it so well and he will need all the force of public opinion to sustain him and his cabinet in the work of national regeneration which they have undertaken. It is not enough for a good physician to examine the symptoms of his patient. He must have a full and faithful history of the case. He must know how the disease originated, and how it was treated-If injuries were inflicted, he must know under what circumstances, how they affected the nervous system, and whether there may not be sur-. PREFACE. vk rounding influences which prevent the restoration of health, or some nuisance that poisons the atmosphere. Such a history of the case of Ireland the author has endeavoured to give in the following pages. It it is no perfunctory service. He resolved to do it years ago, when he finished his work on the Irish Church Establishment, and it has been delayed only in consequence of illness and other engagements. He does not boast of any extraordinary qualifications for the work. But he claims the advantage ofhaving studied the subject long and earnestly, as one in which he has been interested from his youth. He has written the history of the country more or less fully three times. During his thirty years connexion with the press, it has been his duty to examine and discuss everything that appeared before the public upon Irish questions, and it has always been his habit to bring the light of history to bear upon the topics of the day...