IRELAND.
No rational person imagines that the mere passing of a Tithe Bill, in which the principle of Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S resolution should be embodied, would of itself work the miracle of converting the Irish peasantry from turbulent paupers into contented and sub- stantial yeomen; such as, in spite of the croaking of the Marquis of Cif ANDOS and others of the landed interest, may still be found in various parts of England and Scotland. But we have ground to expect that a better state of feeling will result from the indica- tion, that the British Parliament abjures the system on which Ireland has been governed hitherto, and recognizes the right of the tithe-payers to .some beneficial return for their contributions.
If this change in the feelings of the Irish people towards their rulers is brought about, much will have been gained. A foundation will have been laid for more substantial and extensive ameliorations. The fact seems to be, that an almost entirely new set of institutions is wanted for Ireland; and it is an immense difficulty in dealing with the affairs Of that country, that very extensive and various changes require to be made simultaneously.
He must, however, be a sanguine politician who can fix a period, even in his own mind, when it is probable that all which the Legislature could do for Ireland will actually be accom- plished. For he must look forward to the entire abolition of tithes; the payment of the Protestant clergy by the State; the sale of the vast landed property of the Church; some provision made for the relief of the helpless poor; a new system of ad- ministering justice; and such a revision of the revenue code as would render smuggling and illicit distillation unprofitable.
But though the house of Commons may shrink from grappling at once with all the giant evils of the Irish social system, there is a prospect of some useful, though partial legislation. A kindly spirit—a disposition to do justice,and to treat Irishmen as their fellow citizens—pervades the majority of the British Repre- sentatives. The effect of this disposition will be visible in their acts. But the people of Ireland must exercise patience, and allow time for a new Liberal Ministry to concert their plans, and for the Members on both sides of the House, whose passions have been excited in the recent political struggle, to recover a frame of mind sufficiently temperate to enable them to perform their legislative duties with some chance of benefit to the country.
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