Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-03
IRISH NATIONALITY.
MICH4EL DAYITT, THE RELEASED
FENIAN, IN ST. PAUL.


Interesting and Eloquent Discourse Last
Evening--The Policy OF England Eeei-
ing1y Portrayed, and The Duty of Irishinen
Clearly Pointed Out--Brief Historical and
Personal Sketches of the Orator.
Last evening Michael Davitt, ono Of the Elk
political prisoners recently arrived in this
country, delivered most interesting lecture
on the present condition Of Ireland and Irish
political affairs. The hall was beautifully dec
GRATED, and fair and enthusiastic audience
greeted the speaker. No doubt the numerous
political meetings throughout the city kept
MANY away, but undor any circumstances the
lectnre WAS deserving of crowded house.
Dillon O'Brien, Esq, was called to preside,
and in introducing the speaker he spoke feel
inply of his devotion to Ireland and the Irish
cause.
In person Mr.. Davitt is fine look
ing specimen of the energetic lrlshman,
tall, we'll built, handsome features and piercing
black eve. He Is minus the right arm, never
theless has spirited and commanding appear
ance He speaks free and somewhat rapidly,
and his eloquence, though not OF high order,
carries a tone of sincerity, and his arguments
logical and conclusive. He was arrested in 1870
in London for purchasing and sending arms
into ireland, tried and condemned to fifteen
years penal servitude, and after serving seven
and half years he has been released on parole,
liable to be rearrested and imprisoned for the
balance of the term if guilty OF any act against
the peace of her majesty.
In opening his lecture Mr.. Davitt claimed no
attention for himself what be had gone
through for the cause OF Irish nationality, and
as an Irlshman he only hoped that his future
conduct would find him worthy OF the name
He would speak only Of his country, and he
hoped to present to his fellow countrymen and
the American people the feelings OF
the Irish at home, and that the motlves
that prompted them was the good and welfare
OF the country. In introducing his subject
generally, he deprecated the TOO prevalent
habit of Irishmen of living IN thoughts OF the
past. Ii irishmcn would advance the good OF
their country, they must show to the world
the greatest ability to govern themselves as a
people, other people do We must be sens
ible as we'll as patriotic. Sunburst oratlons
are no avail unless followed up by practical
and feasible efforts to regain self government.
The unlnterested and thoughtless reviewers OF
Irish affairs think that all that IS necessary FOR
Ireland is few paltry concessions from time
to time. The contest really is q war of races
Saxon against Celtic. The policy OF England
has been to destroy the Celtic ma
ton. but it cannot be done. English
officials console themselves i'll the oft as
serted loyalty of the Irish. Ii the Irish
arc SO loyal as they would make us believe why
are such large bodies of police and troops
quartered in the country? Why are l2,0UO po-
lice and $4,000 troops req uired amongst loyal
people? Crime is not the excuse for English
courts and judges say it does not exist. The
truth is they are afraid of the people-the
misgoverned people. The speaker also spoke of
the laws against carrying firearms IN Ireland,
measures unknown to free people.
The policy of the English government is to
denationulize the Irish people. They have been
and are cndeavoring to ALLEVIATE the Irish
clergy from the nationality of the people, but
they never will succeed. An obscure rag in
Cleveland called the Universe, maliciously
charges me with insulting the Irish clergy in
my recent lecture there. l pronounce this
statement base falsehood, and am perfectly
willing that 1 be held, Catholic,
generating the ministers of my faith,
accountable for every word l utter.
Beaconsfeld in Ireland is Bismarck in Germany.
Their policy is to pit the people against the
church, but this infamous game will not avail
amongst the people who inherit the faith Of
Bt. Lawrence O'Toole. The speaker vigor
ously combatted the idea that intraility had
any hold among Irish natioralists He con-
demned communism, and clearly showed that
true patriotism had nothing i'll common with
such theories. The charges against the Irish
nationalists are made by the enemies of the
country in the hope of arraying the church
against them, but they will not succeed. The
speaker then reviewed the political parties of
Ireland The home rule organization under
Issao Butt was G. delusion. Butt prom
people tolerate his Imperialism and
extreme British tendencies, but when the time
for action, vigorous political work in the house
of commons, came he failed and he has been
dcposed and the leadership accorded to Par
js
and earnestness of the obstructionists under
Parnell was commented and approved and
the speaker argued that good had already
sprung from their labors i'll parliament. He
favored the return OF such men, and predicted
that the policy of the Nationalists, heretofore
Indifferent or opposed to the home rule move
ment, would be to take active interest in the
election of honest, sincere men to parliament
and every means to prevent the shoneers from
incorporating the people Of Ireland in an
English house of commons.
While negative results only come from
agitation in the English parliament,
real practical results will follow only when
backed up by an armed sword. When the time
came the Nationalist would use both weapons,
but an abortive Irish insun :tion or uprising
would never again by heard of. The national
sentiment in Ireland is growing, and the real
Irish question is being better understood. The
cause of Irish nationality has been sanctitied
in the blood and martyrs and must yet lie tri-
umphant. Recruits are never wanting, and its
battles will be fought until substantial victory
IS won. The speaker pointed to the revival of
the Irish language. and saw in it hope for Ire
land and Irish nationality. The patriotic work
was under the guidance of the venerable John
AacHale, archbishop of Tuam, to whom the
speaker paid a most eloquent and touching
trl' ute, and was loudly appauded by the
audience. He argued that Archbishop
MacHale was most truly patriotic
md he at f,f Ii, 10,
good evidence that infdelity and communism
could have no place amongst them. In speak
ing OF the press of Ireland, he showed the
marked advances made in few years on behalf
of the national cause, and, touching on the So
cial condition OF the people, he drew vivid
picture of the deplorable condition of the poor
and outraged tenantry under bad land laws.
This land question was the all-important one
and its attendant evils were only known to the
Englishman when the people OF Ireland were
goaded to desperate measures. These land laws
are driving the people from their holdings and
converting Ireland into pasture fields. The
people are forced to give way to cattle, and
though they be scattered in America they will
bring back. or send back their vengeance. Eng
lands difficulty is Irelands opportunity
1t wi yet come, and Irlsbmen will take az
! vantage OF it.
In conclusion the speaker counselled Irish.
men in America to be faithful to America and
the flag of the Union. AS long as they are
good citizens of liberty-loving America they
will be true sons of Erin.
The lecture occupied over an hour in deliv-
cry, and was we'll received by the audience. At
the conclusion Capt. M. j. OConnor proposed a
vote of thanks, which was given standing with
three rousing cheers for Mr.. Dayitt, and q tiger
for the of "Old Ireland"
Owens Close.
like n ,or;nca1v entertainer who lraa,. A. :.