The hard and shocking condition of Ireland knows no pause—
it undergoes no relaxation ; but, whether legislators discuss or make holyday, whether they propose palliatives or small coer- cions, that condition still keeps on, a terrible protest in deeds against the misconduct of Irish leaders, against the trivial tam- pering with legislation in the Imperial Parliament. Down to this week the same conflict of mutual outrages goes on—the murders, the evictions, the famines, the riots ; and all the while the great demagogue pours forth his irreverent reckless verbiage, and collects his rents. Want of food brings the people toge- ther in threatful crowds ; they seize upon provisions on the way to market; and the soldiers are called out to drive back the hungry like wolves. While the painful struggle is seen, Mr. O'Connell affects to counsel peace, and to acknowledge Minis- terial services for his countrymen ; but talks about the Govern- ment's having provided " corn for England and coercion for Ire- land,"—as if Ireland were not a primary object in the regard of those who are labouring to increase the national supply of bread ! He himself, by countenancing a trumpery obstruction to the rea- sonable forms of Parliament, actually impedes the passing of the measure which will for ever secure that greater supply of corn, which may work a thorough change in the diet and social con- dition of the Irish people. But to forward the material interests of the country is not so advantageous to his objects as the rousing of her violent passions is. The misdeeds of demagogues, how- ever, are no excuse for English Senators : it is the want of mea- sures thoroughly to change the social condition of the country which permits the existence of political pests.
