An Answer to the Question, What Is to Be Done with the Unemployed Labourers of the United Kingdom?; - By John Robert Godley (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847. Excerpt: ... those who possess property in Irish soil. Even men who up to this time have advocated other remedies, now abandon them, and admit that the first thing needful is emigration. For example, no man is more thoroughly acquainted with the economical condition of Ireland, or more capable of forming an enlightened opinion upon its defects and requirements, than Mr. William Blacker. Hitherto, both in writing and conversation, he has been in the habit of depreciating emigration as an insufficient and temporary remedy, and has pointed to scientific improvements in agriculture, exclusively, as the means of improving the material condition of the people. But the events of the last year have, by his own admission, changed his opinion; and I find him, accordingly, giving evidence before the Lords' Committee, to the effect" that, the staple food of the people having disappeared, a long period of time and a great outlay of capital is required to replace it; that the social state of Ireland is such as to preclude all hope of the investment of capital, and that, under these circumstances, the only resource left is emigration." This is precisely the chain of reasoning which I have been attempting to exhibit; and I am rejoiced to find myself supported by such an authority as Mr. Blacker, --an authority the more valuable because that of a convert, who embraces, not without natural reluctance, a theory which he has long combated. I will quote but one other Irish authority; it shall be that of one no less distinguished as a practical improver than Mr. Blacker is as a theorist--I mean Lord George Hill. Lord George's efforts to reclaim the bogs and civilize the peasantry at Gweedore, on the coast of Donegal, are well known, and have obtained for him a high and deserved reputation. T...