Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... "Nothlng is wanted," said Lord Stanley, speaking of Ireland, at Bristol, "except a little peace and security, for uncounted millions of British capital to pour into that country as English wealth has poured into Scotland, and as it continues every day to pour into the colonies that are separated from us by the breadth of the globe." To prove that this enthusiastic prediction has some solid ground to rest upon, Lord Stanley gives no reasons. The assertion is made, and men are left to accept it on the simple authority of the speaker. If, indeed, he had already approved himself a true oracle, that might stand for a reason; but his foresight on other questions has not been such as to inspire confidence in his prophetical utterances on this. To give his statement weight with reasoning men, he ought to have shown that Ireland, as a place of investment for capital, was similarly circumstanced with Scotland and the other colonies he spoke of, and that in times of tranquillity in Ireland "uncounted millions" of British capital actually had poured into that country. The trick he has attempted to play off, however, is not a new one . Whenever Ireland has become restless under the irritation of some burden laid upon the great body of the nation for the sole advantage of a small minority, some Conservative statesman has been sure to step on to the stage with his magic mirror, and flash a glitter of British gold before the eyes of the Irish. "Only do not press for a removal of Catholic disabilities," they have been told, "and you shall get untold mines of British capital; only do not urge that landlordism should be deprived of a right to confiscate tenants' improvements, and hoards of this wealth shall be turned in amongst you; only empty your purses...