They acted unmercifully, unjustly, unwisely.

But it would be absurd to expect mercy, justice, or wisdom from a class of men first abased by many years of oppression, and then maddened by the joy of a sudden deliverance, and armed with irresistible power.

The representatives of the Irish nation were, with few exceptions, rude and ignorant.

They had lived in a state of constant irritation.

With aristocratical sentiments they had been in a servile position.