22 SEPTEMBER 1849, Page 1

The Roman Catholic Magistrates of Castlewellan have made a charge

against Lord Roden and their Protestant colleagues, which is very serious, and cannot be suffered to pass unregarded. It will be recollected that the bloody conflict at Dolly's Brae happened when the Orangemen were on their way home after hearing Lord Roden deliver a speech in Tollymore Park ; a Government in- quiry was instituted, and resulted in an application, by the Royal Commissioner, to present informations against the Orangemen involved ; but the application was refused by the casting-vote of Lord Roden—one of the parties implicated !

This is bringing the law into contempt at a time when it was specially needed ; for the prospect of potato dearth in the winter, of machinations by secret societies, and of abundant litigation arising out of the evasion of rent, demand for the pacifying power of law the utmost respect. The anti-rent movement is very delibe- rate; the people extensively cutting and carrying away their crops on Sunday to evade the seizure. "How incorrigible a people! "we cry ; but on second thoughts, the greater cause for surprise is, the utter lack of influence that English statesmanship has to govern that people. Yet it is to be governed. But the influences for governing any people must be sought in the people themselves ; and while we try to govern the Irish on principles deduced from English practice, we need not be surprised that we fail to govern Ireland.

The opportunity for a change has come. The revolutions of 1849 have taught the Irish that priests of the Roman Catholic Church are not infallible nor invulnerable ; and they have taught that priesthood how much its interests are engaged on the side of order : the priests have at present lost influence with the Irish, and we believe they are better disposed than heretofore to a closer alliance with constituted authority.