The Irish Despotism.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 February 1884, Page 3

The Irish Despotism.

A LKTTidi which lately appeared in the "Standard" from an unluckly Irishman mho has been deluded into joining one of the American -Irish secret societies goes to confirm the evidence produced at Poole's j trial as to the system of surveillance and • terrorism by -which these organisations ! exist. Every one in the society is engaged in watching everybody else ; nor do any of the subordinate officers like the writer know what orders he may be communicating under seal to his fellows. Some of the writer's hints are very significant. " There are about tv> elve thousand (of us) in this city "— e\ idently one of the great town of America; "I think there are some in the post-office, as it is known at headquarters when you get a letter, and from where and from whom." "It is a cruel," continues the unfortunate Fenian, '•and very cruel, tyranny. When once you have taken the oath, then you have virtually surrendered your liberty. If I am once out of this I will be a bad, and a d bad, Irishman before I will be thought a good one by giving up my liberty — yes, giving up your liberty in more senses than one ; *no consideration for wife and family." Yet it is worth noticing that this man, though heartily sick of the whole business, is in too much terror to think of shaking himself free from his trammels. He knows well enough that if he were to do some conspirator — not more willing than himself — would be told off to "silence" him. "It is a dreadful life," we are told ; and so it seems to be. The tyranny of " the B. Gov." must seem light, even to the most patriotic of Irishmen, com pared to such a bloodthhsty despotism as this.—" St. James's Gazette."