The Irish Question Considered In Its Integrity

Excerpt from book: of settled administration, than by the consideration of the Irish question, as one purely connected with internal administration. It is beyond dispute that the Irish, when dissatisfied with British government, have always sought such foreign assistance as has invariably been adverse to the declared interest of the state to which they owed allegiance : since the days of Queen Elizabeth, down to the present hour, this policy, pursued by the Irish, has been tacitly repudiated even by the most disaffected nations. The principle laid down by writers upon the international laws, is that a country cannot revolt against the state of which it forms a part, unless it can shew that it has the means of maintaining its own independence, and that it possesses those elements of strength which will enable the people, by themselves, to provide for the wants of government; as well as being within themselves, not wanting in those moral qualities which would command respect and submission to wholesome rule. When then Ireland, under the dictates of Mr. O'Con- aell, reverts back to the Jacobinical principle of the rights of the people, and of the power of the multitude to set up, suddenly, some new order of government, which is to direct public affairs, in virtual separation from the mother country, or to modify its relationship with the parent state; the events which have occurred on the Continent of Europe, during the last half century, demonstrate such attempt, exercised by the people, in the end to have been abortive. The famous Revolution of 1688 sent nothing to the people, but kept the heavy matters, which pressed upon public attention, away from their consideration: it is very different for the moral right of a people, specu chapter{Section 4latively to consider, and require, from co...