The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-01-18 00:00:00

THE GREAT "NATIONAL PENNY

SUBSCRIPTION!"

Mr. John Martin has miconsciously rendered a
public service by'affording a means of exposing the
hollowness of Penianiem (writes the Dublin correspon-
dent of The Times). He has applied to it an unerring
test by which we may estimate the value of its e3-mpathy
and the character of its system. He earnestly ap-
pealed to the patriots who were burning with indigna-
tion agaihst the British G., v errinient f or the Manchester
"holocaust," and distracted`with grief at the f ate of
the victims, to reduce the expression of their rage
and sorrow into the tan Able form of a penny each
to be given to the families of the "martyrs.' The
object was to have a great "national penny suh-
scription," which, besides its benevolent purpose, would
serve as another imposing demonstration of public
feeling. A -penny a head fr to the soldiers of the
Irish Republic, numbering to told thousands in the
United Kingdom, must, of course, make a handsome
collection. Had the spontaneous offerings of other
countless thousands wlet are not enrolled in the grand
Eeuian army. but wish it may conquer, and surely
since Jove himself came down never was seen such a I
golden shower. It may be interesting to know what
was the response to the appeal. The collection began
auspiciously, and subscriptions poured in fleet, as
might be expected, in Cork. On the Sunday after
Mr. Martin's letter appeared, the sums collected at all
the chapel dem, ...minted, we are told, to £75. This
-meld represent a formidable force if every penny
represented a Fenian, even though more than
half might have been given by women, for ex-
perience of the Cork population when excited,
testifits that the gentler sex are the more formid-
able combatants. But the example of Cork was
not followed elsewhere with the same liberality. All
the contributions acknowledged in the " national "
press for the next month did not amount to £4O, and
of this Lit Ifis. came from England, chiefly London
and Liverpool, anti 1.7 18s. from Scotland. The
Augustinian convent, Dungarvtn, county of Water-
ford, oullected Ell Or. ; Carrigtwebill, in the
comfy t if Cork, ki I ; Limerick, ; Cashel ".1
the Kings" only subscribed 2s. 6d., a significant
expresf ion of its " nAtional" spirit, and unstated
sums in postage-stamps made up the rest. In the
last peblications are further acknowledgements which
are equally significant Mr. Martin himself acknow•
ledges £2 Ills, Bd.; including Li from a lady in
Warrenpoint ; F. T., Manchester, £4 12e. ; from
Glasgow, £2O; New Ross, £2 45.; Sheffield, Is.;
Deptford. le ; Confraternity of St. James's parish,
Dublin, £4. - Front Dewsbury there is a long list of
subscriptionif, varying in amount from 2s. Gd. to
2d. each, and* mnking altogether about 210 ; and a
very few refunds retre comprise all that has been con-
tributed up to the present. Now, if all the subscrip-
tions were pence, and every penny represented a
fighting man, it would not be a very importing array
of Fenisn strength, but when large inddual stilt.
scriptionw, and even the haffcmwns, shillings, anti six-
penoee are deducted, when it is remarked that the
object was 'invested with the grace of charity, which
might be expected to procure for it more general
support, and that few pl •ces have at all responded, it
is not an unreasonable inference that the alleged egten-
sive organization of Frnianiam is mythical, and that
only a few of the lowest classes have any active
sympathy with it. The " National Subscription' has,
in fast, proved an utter failure, and so Mr. Martin.

himself admits it to be in the follow/inic letter, which
appears lath, last number of the frMit man :
Kilbron.l. lostrevor. lan. h.
Dear Sic—l Intend to continue the collection no longer
than till the last day of the present mouth. Since I made
the pl.-meal to the country ,ulticient time has already
passed to enable the v•rimiatewne said ariat). to accept it,
alai act 111... n it. it they approved I the ,i4ect and of my
undertaking I have been to., presumptuous in this matter.
The country so pronouncea. and the country Is in its right.
Put I believed that the people throughout Ireland were well
.ilispeosed to evince a charitable sympathy for the women and
children bereaved of their natural protectors by cause of
patriotism, wise or foolish, and an I still believe. And,
especially, when the Catholic entigregallons of the parishes
of Illackrock, Cork City, awl Huddersfield gave the example,
I hoped that In Most of the towns and parishes of Ireland
volunteers would come forward, with permission of the
clergy, to collect the people's pennies at the church doors
It tel..lllli now that I was mistaken in this hope The fault Is
altogether my own. Immediately after the end of the
month I shall wind up the accounts and distribute the
money.- I am, dear Sir, yours truly, J,HS MARTIN.

Various other funds were originated in the columns
of the weekly preen which, at first sight, might appear
to indicate sincerity, activity, and spirit, but on
examining the results it will be found that they are
equally unsuccessful speculations. Among them is a
fund to defend Mr. Martin himself from the Govern-
ment prosecution. The whole amount received in
one week as a national tribute in honour of this con-
spicuoms patriot was—la tid., and this came from
Manichester ! Last week LI was added, no doubt to
secure the services of the most eminent counsel ! A
Burke and Casey defence fund in scarcely more pros-
perous, These are suggestive facia.