If there is an immediate return to the old system of conciliation—if
that unhappy country is to be left under the impression that Britain is
bound to support her, we may look for another projected rebellion at no
very distant period. Ireland must be taught to depend thoroughly upon
herself. The wages of idleness must no longer be given her under any
circumstances whatever. We are satisfied that the social misery of
Ireland proceeds mainly from the injudicious system of eleemosynary
support, to which she has been so long accustomed; for nowhere else in
the known world is there a land so rich in resources, with a population
so utterly improvident. An end also must be put, by the strong arm of
power, to agitation of every kind. Jury trial requires remodelment; and
we hope that the very first Irish measure which is introduced, will be
one for assimilating the system of jury trial in criminal cases there
with that which has worked so well and satisfactorily in Scotland. Let
fifteen men be impanelled, and let the opinion of the majority be the
verdict. This would effectually prevent those allegations about packing,
which do certainly detract from the moral weight of such convictions as
that of Mitchell: it would strengthen the hands of justice, and be
especially useful as a further preventive of crime. The weal or the
continued misery of Ireland will depend very much upon the character and
complexion of the measures which may be introduced during the next
session of Parliament.
The progress of the revolutions abroad has been any thing but peaceful.
On the Continent, the treaty of Vienna has become a dead letter—a mere
antiquated sheet of parchment, hardly to be appealed to by any of the
conflicting powers. War has broken out in more than one point; and
though, during the last month, there has been some prospect of
compromise, it is in vain to hope that Europe will immediately subside
into its former tranquillity. Hitherto, whatever may be said regarding
the internal economy of France, that country has manifested no
aggressive spirit. Paris, the centre-point of the volcanic eruption, has
kept, and may keep for some time, the soldiery in full employment; and
we are sincerely of opinion that General Cavaignac, now at the head of
affairs in France, has no personal disposition to undertake a war of
conquest. But the position of Germany is very peculiar, and her affairs
so complicated, that we may justly feel alarm as to the issue.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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