The Tithe-Proctor: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoCarleton, William
General
The Tithe-Proctor: The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two
Carleton, William
Ireland -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
“TURBULENT STATE OR THE COUNTRY.--We regret to say, that the state of
the country is every day becoming more and more unsettled. A few
days ago, whilst one of our excellent and most resolute magistrates,
Fitzgerald O'Driscol, Esq., was engaged in his office, determining an
important case of assault that came before him, and which he did, as he
usually does, to the perfect satisfaction of the parties, he received, a
threatening notice, couched in most violent language, in fact, breathing
of blood and assassination! Why a gentleman of such high magisterial
character as Mr. O'Driscol should have been selected as an object of
popular vengeance, we do not understand. Mr. O'Driscol combines in
himself all those qualities that are peculiarly suited to the discharge
of his duties in such distracted times as the present. Whilst firm and
intrepid, almost to a miracle, he is at the same time easy of access,
impartial, and kind to his humble countrymen, to whom he has uniformly
proved himself mild and indulgent, so far as justice--which by the way,
he always tempers with mercy--will allow him; and in consequence of
this, he is uniformly known, and deserves to be known, as the poor man's
magistrate. It is true, he is known also to be a man of highly loyal and
constitutional principles; a warm friend to order, peace, and a resolute
supporter of the laws of the land--qualities which are looked upon as
crimes by the resolute and disloyal among our kind-hearted but misguided
people. Of one thing, however, he would beg to apprise the mistaken
individuals who have ventured to threaten him, and that is, to take care
how they attempt to put their foolish threats into execution against so
daring and desperate a man as Mr. O'Driscol is when provoked. He goes
well armed, is a dead shot, and would feel deeply grieved at having the
blood of any of his mistaken countrymen on his hands. This we say from
what we know of Mr. O'Driscol, both as a man and as a magistrate. In
further connection with the state of the country, we cannot think but
that government, if made properly acquainted with it, would place some
mild, firm, but fearless and resolute stipendiary magistrate in our
neighborhood; we mean, of course, a man who is capable, by the peculiar
qualities of his character, to make himself an instrument of great
public good, both to the people and the government. Such a man we know;
but as we are writing without either his knowledge or consent, we do not
feel ourselves called upon to pursue this important subject further.
All we can say is, that the violent opposition which is now organized
against tithes, and which is already beginning to convulse the country,
will, and even now does require, the active courage and decided
abilities of such a man.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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