STATE OF WARFARE. 369 



profoundly troubled by a constant peasant war. When 

 murders, fire, and plunder were suspended for a short 

 time, agitation did not cease ; it continued under other 

 forms, summing up its grievances and its hopes in that 

 national cry repeated on all occasions, Ireland for the 

 Irish ! 



We must do England the justice to say, that she at 

 last recoiled before her work. About thirty years ago, 

 when more correct views in political economy began to 

 dawn in England, she found out. her mistake, and that a 

 kinder policy should be adopted, in order to gain the 

 attachment of the sister isle. The political emancipation 

 of the Catholics, in 1829, was the first decided step in 

 the new direction. Since that time, Ireland has taken 

 part in the government of the United Kingdom. There 

 is now no chance of a return to the old outrages. This 

 was a great concession, no doubt ; yet it was not enough. 

 From 1830 to 1847, every Ministry has looked upon 

 Ireland as one of its chief difficulties. All honestly 

 sought a remedy for its state of inveterate misery, the 

 growth of ages, and which seemed to require ages to 

 cure. Even O'Connell, speaking for Ireland, pointed out 

 only one way, and that would have been both impossible 

 and ineffectual the Kepeal of the Union. Impossible, 

 inasmuch as England could never, after having done so 

 much to incorporate her neighbour with herself, consent 

 to a separation ; and ineffectual, inasmuch as Eepeal had 

 nothing to do with the real merits of the question the 

 constitution of property and superabundance of popula- 

 tion. Political expedients could produce effects only in 

 the long-run ; a more local and immediate remedy was 

 required. 



The Irish themselves were quite aware of this, and 

 pointed out very clearly what they considered a remedy; 



2 A 



