October 10, 1847
Famine in Ireland
The contrast of the two plates in this page suggests reflections anything but
complimentary to Irish gratitude. On one hand, we behold the operation of the
arrangements of a wise and humane Government for supplying a destitute and
famine-stricken population with the means of existence. The wheels of the meal
cart creak under the burden which is to relieve hundreds of human beings from
the horrors of starvation. A gallant and devoted body of Light Dragoons are
taken from their ordinary duties to escort the supply in safety to its
destination.
Look on that picture-- and on this. A band of lawless ruffians, who would
rather spill human blood to purchase a meal than till the generous earth for the
sake of its abundance; this band, armed with such weapons of offence as violence
or robbery have placed within their reach, positively await the coming of the
supplies that they may feed their own wants even at the risk of their lives, and
despoil the famished creatures for whom the succour is intended. We fear such
spectacles are more frequent than even the reports from Ireland lead us to
suppose. They present a very gloomy picture of the state of society, and almost
serve to justify the penuriousness that would deny assistance to one-half of
Ireland, on the ground of the crimes and indolence of the other half.
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