This poverty, arising, as it does, from so many causes, has propagated
itself with a rapidity which is startling; for every one knows that
poverty is proverbially prolific. And yet it is a grievous anomaly to
reflect that a country so far steeped in misery and destitution as
to have nearly one-half of its population in a state of most pitiable
pauperism, possesses a soil capable of employing and maintaining three
times the number of its inhabitants. When the causes, however, which we
have just enumerated are seriously looked at and considered, we think
its extraordinary result is, after all, so very natural, that the wonder
would indeed be were the state of Ireland otherwise than it is. As
matters stand at present, and as they are likely to continue, unless
parliament shall interfere by a comprehensive measure of legislation,
we must only rest contented with seeing the industrious, moral, and
respectable portion of our countrymen abandoning the land of their
birth and affections, and nothing but the very dregs--degraded alike
by idleness and immorality--remaining behind to multiply and perpetuate
their own wretchedness and degradation.
It has been often said, and with great truth, that no man is more
devotedly attached to his native soil than an Irishman; yet it may
reasonably be asked, how this principle of attachment can be reconciled
with the strong tendency to emigration which characterizes our people.
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