The evictions at Olphert, in County Donegal, on Wednes- day,
illustrated the genuine humanity of the order not to fear to fire, if once it became necessary to use force at all to put down illegal violence. The Resident Magistrate was extremely unwilling to give the order, and the consequence was a good many serious injuries ; but he no sooner gave the order, than Father Stephens rushed forward and advised the party who were resisting eviction to surrender,—advice promptly followed. No policy is worse than to display overwhelming force, and then to be timid about using it. The only effect is to flush those who are offering resistance with the hope of triumph, and to make them seem twice as pugnacious as they really mean to be. When violence is offered to the execution of the law, the proper course is to overbear that violence calmly, but without a moment's vacillation, by the businesslike application of legal force. Then the bladder collapses at once.
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