The partial scarcity, however, occasioned by this,
although it did not constitute what can with propriety be termed famine,
cause the great mass of pauperism which such a season always extends and
increases, to press so heavily upon the struggling farmers, that their
patience and benevolence became alike tired out and exhausted. This
perpetually recurring calamity acts with a most depressing effect
upon those persons in the country who have any claim to be considered
independent. It deprives them of hope, and consequently of energy, and
by relaxing the spirit of industry which has animated them, tends in
the course of time to unite them to the great body of pauperism which
oppresses and eats up the country. But let us not be misunderstood. This
evil alone is sufficiently disastrous to the industrial energies of
the class we mention; but when, in addition to this, the hitherto
independent farmer has to contend with high rents, want of sympathy in
his landlord, who probably is ignorant of his very existence, and has
never seen him perhaps in his life; and when it is considered that he is
left to the sharp practice and pettifogging, but plausible rapacity of
a dishonest agent, who feels that he is irresponsible, and may act the
petty tryant and vindictive oppressor if he wishes, having no restraint
over his principles but his interest, which, so far from restraining,
only guides and stimulates them;--when we reflect upon all this, and
feel, besides, that the political principles upon which the country is
governed are those that are calculated to promote British at the expense
of Irish interests--we say, when we reflect upon and ponder over all
this, we need not feel surprised that the prudent, the industrious,
and the respectable, who see nothing but gradual decline and ultimate
pauperism before them--who feel themselves neglected and overlooked,
and know that every sixth or seventh year they are liable to those
oppressive onsets of distress, sickness, and famine--we need not, we
repeat, feel at all surprised that those who constitute this industrious
and respectable class should fly from the evils which surround them, and
abandon, whilst they possess the power of doing so, the country in which
such evils are permitted to exist.
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