Ireland/Britain/U.S.: Tyranny in Preservation of Union Measures

It is worth of note, that just about the time of the pendency of the “enforcing bill” in Congress, the British ministry introduced, and passed thro’ the House of Lords, a “bloody bill” for the pacification of Ireland. By this bill, all power is committed to the Lord Lieutenant– “courts martial are established in the disturbed districts– their proceedings and punishments are summary, and without appeal— the habeas corpus act is suspended– and all persons required to remain within their houses between sunset and sunrise, on pain of being sentenced to transportation.”

All this is done to preserve the Union of England and Ireland. We shall soon see how long the chains of tyranny will keep from snapping, in this effort to bind the parts of such a glorious Union. Yet this is the method by which many good Republicans in America wished to preserve our Union. Thanks to the virtue of the age, we had a pacificator, who knew what sort of cement was necessary to bind freemen. It would be well for Great Britain, if some true patriot would step forward with an olive branch. Ireland’s cup of bitterness has been often drained, but is again filled. She will dash it from her, or return the “poisoned chalice” to the lips of her oppressors. The day of retribution must come.