The Irish Boycotters appear determined to try conclusions with the
law. It appears, from a telegram in the Telegraph of Friday, that the Cattle Trade Association of the South of Ireland have required the Cork Steam Packet Company to refuse to ship "landlords' cattle "—that is, cattle grown on lands left in the landlords' hands—in their steamers. They informed the directors distinctly that if this were not done the dealers would discon- tinue their use of the line, and start another in opposition. The Company, greatly to their discredit, yielded, though admitting that they are by law common carriers ; and when the Loyalists' Defence Association remonstrated, the chairman replied that the matter was one of financial life or death. The Directors at last agreed to refer the matter to the share- holders ; but the Cattle Dealers' Association, on receiving their resolution, promptly declared the line Boycotted until the shareholders decide. We suppose that this incident, which shows, as Mr. French said, that life will soon be impossible in the South of Ireland except for members of the National League, will at last convince Lord Salisbury that the law does not at present govern Ireland. The law allows landlords to send their cattle by the steamers of the Cork Steam Packet Company, and compels that Company to carry them ; yet, if this statement—which is detailed to the last degree—is true, an Association forbids the cattle to be carried. Civilisation ends when unwritten laws of this kind supersede the law of the land.
