Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 21, 25 January 1881, Page 4

The London Times, in an article on the Land League, says: — "The situation jis rapidly nearing the point where something will have to be done by the Government, or the Land Leaguers, Fenians, and Home Rulers- will have arrayed against the administration nearly the entire island . It is hardly com els to Bay that anarchy prevails in Ireland, for there is a- distinct, arid pptenti .Government} w;bj<?h; is rapidly superseding the Imperial Government, and obtaining ascendency. .. It, rules with an iron hand 1 , and a< promptitude which enforces instant obedience. Its code is clear executive resolution, its machiner.y com plete* ; and " itS' > faction; uniform. There is Government de facto and Government) de jurei The former is wielding power which is felt and feared,, and the latter is exhibiting, only pomp,; i.btifc; with) little reality ;o£ power. The former is a terror to well doers, the latter is- no-- terror- -to* evil doers. The Land League is becoming the. law of the land, while th' 9 law of the State is cpstly;; an,d 9 : ; to .a large,extent, suspended. The new law is effectively administered, .and cheaply and. conveniently. The League, courts 1 are springing up. in various places,, and people are instructed to have their disputes settled by such courts, and to go no more to sessions. The local magisi Crates in the Weßt of Ireland have lately been surprised to find no cases brought before them except by the police. The people hwe been for some time advised to take this : course* but are only now beginning to act. As a rule, the penaltieswhich the said Land League courts have the power of inflicting are regarded with more dread than those impoßed under statute. Another function of the' new Government is : the^ levying of.taxesjand it is most, effectively fulfilled. No rate'assigped.by law is half as j promptly ; paid ' as the taxes which it imposes* .Licenses to, sell at fairs and in markets are required by the new Government, and their production is enforced by summary process. The only element wanting/ to; constitute a Government is a standing army. But«tbe materials for it are at hand, and are being prepared for' use when called upon. The knowledge of this fact creates the deepest alarm., because, with an armed and dissatisfied population around them, loyal subjects, of the Queen in many ,. places .believe that the danger which looms beneath, it is more formidable than any visible terrors. The fear is rather confirmed than allayed by the military prepflra-< tion of the Government, The arrival of the first battalion of Coldstream, Guards, and the order for two more regiment s of troops, indicates that the authorities are conscious of the impending danger."