Mr. Morley has already signalised his arrival in Ireland by
two proclamations for the diminution of public security. The first suspends the "Crimes Act," which was already suspended except in County Clare, all over Ireland ; and the second revokes the proclamation declaring the Irish National League to be a dangerous association. The latter proclamation will probably do little harm, as the League will be on its good behaviour; but the former may do much. It only alters the law in a small district of Ireland ; but it will be taken by the peasantry to mean that the new Government will be lenient to the crimes that " Coercion,"—which means only trial for outrages as assaults are tried in London,—was intended to put down. They will, therefore, recommence during the winter the old agrarian outrages ; and the police, perceiving the tone of the Castle, will be slow to carry out the ordinary law. It is said that the Irish, knowing the Home- rule struggle to be so near, will be too wise to commit crime, and so alienate Englishmen, and that is true as regards the leaders ; but when have the Irish peasants ever cared for Home-rule in comparison with the execution of the "un- written agrarian law" ? Mr. Morley has accepted a most grave responsibility, which, if there is a revival of outrage, will be closely pressed home to him ; and which, to do him justice, he will acutely feel. By-the-way, if riots recommence in Belfast, how does he propose to get verdicts against the rioters without that power to change the venue which he has abandoned ?
