Manufactures are concentrated where the business habits of men make it most convenient to do so—where ideas, knowledge, and capital, are abundant; but the raw material may be grown in any quantity, and sold to those enterprising, clever, long-headed men in the North, who can turn it to a profitable account. Mr. Charley asserts, "Irish flax, on the whole, is undoubtedly the best." Then he adds an important statement: "But there is another influence working against an increase of flax cultivation in Ireland—namely, the gradual introduction of the Scotch and English system of tillage farming on a large scale. As farms increase in size, and labour becomes dearer, it is probable that flax will be even less grown; it is essentially the small farmer's crop, sown by himself, and cleaned, pulled, steeped, even scutched by his wife and children, for whom these occupations form a nice, light, agreeable kind of hand-labour. It is from such families, the best conducted and most intelligent labourers and artizans are to be had; the former to carry on improved systems of husbandry, under the guidance of trained agriculturists-the latter to form our ships, to erect our houses, to build our bridges, and to contribute in many ways to our general prosperity." If you consider the opinions of the great Bishop Berkeley, you will find his politics somewhat different from modern theories. In his queries he asks-" Whether our native Irish are not partly Spaniards, and partly Tartars, and whether they do not bear signatures of their descent from both these nations, which is also confirmed by all their histories ?" "Whether the Tartar progeny is not numerous in this land, and whether there is any idler occupation under the sun than to attend flocks and herds of cattle? Whether the wisdom of the State should not wrestle with the hereditary disposition of our Tartars, and with a high hand introduce agriculture?" " Whether if the linen manufacture were carried on in either provinces, as well as in the North, the merchants of Cork, Limerick, and Galway, would not soon find their way to Spain ?" Fine thoughts are to be found in those queries, worthy the notice of the statesman. Consider well, therefore, to what condition pasture universally employed will reduce your country. The growth of the arts is slow-the growth of a nation in any department of inventive industry is slow; but the accumulated knowledge and experience of ages, may at last enable a people to quicken their exertions, and push their labours to success. The commonest intellect can comprehend our present situation; and it is necessary to success, that the commonest intellect should comprehend the certainty of profit by pursuing a certain course of industry. I have heard it said, that a great work may be doue by aid from the government of this country. It is necessary to consider what a government can do. Government confers little positive benefits; it can build a prison, reformatory, gaol, lunatic asylum-can administer the law-can punish criminals; promote education; unfetter trade; but it cannot inspire men with virtuous principles, or supply the want of well-directed industry. These manufacturers in the North only want the raw material, and free scope for the introduction into foreign countries of their beautiful textile fabrics. The gentry should take the subject of the increased growth of flax into their own hands, and with energy equal to the Scotch, English, Dutch, or Swiss, consider the work to be done, and the practicability of doing it; then, undertaking it wisely, prosecuting it resolutely, they should never stop until they have accomplished it successfully. If we study with care the past history of Ulster, we may find grounds for congratulation. Macaulay writes that on the day when King William marched from Carrickfergus, there was but one house to be seen during the march to Belfast-Whitehouse. What is the state of that district now? We behold dwellings innumerable of busy men, rich tillage grounds-factories and bleach greens —everything that can minister to the enjoyment of social life—everything that can make a people contented, rich, and happy. Therefore, we perceive a moderate prosperity is within our reach; and if industry has been triumphant in one part of Ireland, it becomes a serious question why it should not be equally so in other parts of Ireland. Perhaps I might answer the question thus: a great result may be attained by the combined energy of all classes in the State. What if we were to arise to-morrow morning a united and industrious nation; what if our absentees returned to perform the duty imposed upon them, and combined in pushing forward the common work of the redemption of our country; what if every nobleman or gentleman with property in our own isle, directed its judicious improvements with his own eye, and tongue, and presence; what if inventive industry took root in all parts of our soil; what if an intelligent, virtuous, self-reliant people, raised their heads erect and independent, throughout all quarters of the island. Civilization came down to us, it is believed, by a revelation; the heathens imagined that the great inventive arts were gifts of heaven and descended upon earth from the gods. If civilization came to us by a revelation, what is our duty? and how is that duty to be performed? The Bible inculcates industry-the early Christians were industrious. We read in Proverbs an incentive to industry, and the judgment pronounced upon the idle ; what the Sacred Volume enjoins let us perform. The colony of Ulster prospered by industry, combined with true religion. That religion does not mean persecution of those who differ from us-nor penal laws, nor even discourtesy ; but it means the assertion of a principle which ought ever to be asserted— the principle which made England free, great, and happy. In exact proportion as it continues to be asserted that kingdom will continue to be free and happy-in exact proportion as it is abandoned that kingdom will lose its high station in the world, and descend from its pre-eminence amongst the nations. I recommend to your study, the history of a great branch of industry connected with the prosperity of our country; I recommend you to stimulate and prosecute the like wholesome industry in every portion of the island in which your influence can extend, or your example teach; remembering "industry is the omnipotent engine which would root out all vice from the world." |