The New York herald., 1879-12-08
Gathering Of Well Fed Nal
contents at Castlerea.
BLOOD AND RED PAINT.
Revising the Land Laws with Yells
and Execrations.
CONSTABLES PRESENT THEIR ARMS.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALp.1


by peaceful inhabitants of the town, has passed
Oft without accident. Roscommon not being
severely infected with the spirit Of agitation
the meeting Of to-day was intended to arouse
the energies of the people. Unfortunately for
agitation purposes, the landlords of Roscom-
mon generally regarded as easy and liberal
men. They are not rackrenters. Indeed the
meeting was held at the sufferance of Mr.. San
ford, landlord and conservative in politics,
country He gave permission for the meeting,
which seemingly indicates that his class do not
fear the agitation. f
BoNrIREs AND ToRCHLIGHT PROFESSIONS.
Parnell and Davitt arrived at midnight and
were greeted at the station by small torch
light procession composed Of roughs from
Castlerea. Bonfires burned brightly. The
crowd cheered Justify in spite of the fog and
bitter cold The meeting began at two to-day.
Delegations from Balla and the surrounding
towns gathered about stand raised in the
market place. The men wore green sashes,
rosettes and sprigs of green in their hats. One
delegation carried pixies in their hands, which.
some smeared with red paint to give them
sanguinary and bloodstained look. The square
was two-thrds full; between four and five thou
sand men were there assembled. never saw
more healthy, vigorous and well fed looking set
of men. If these be the people for whose
benefit the agitation is carried on it should be
said Mt once that they are many removes from
famine.
GRAND MILITARY PARADE.
As Parnell arrived on the platform the pike
men presented arms and cheered with much
enthusiasm. The band struck up national
air as different organizations passed in review,
each company bearing banner. One was
inscribed, ''Welcome to Parnell, who is not to
be .cowcd by whig or tory" Another bore the
legend. "God save Ireland" Martin Nc
Donnel presided. His speech was mainly
political. He asked the crowd in the name of
God not to let the O'Connor Don again repre-
sent them in Parliament. In fact an impartial
observer could not help noticing how much
stress was laid this point by all the speakers,
giving an impression that the meeting was
aimed as much at the Parliamentary seats of
Roscommon as at landlordism.
RORY AND THE REPORTERS
A startling incident interrupted this speaker
which nearly led to serious consequences. Seve-
raj agitators-Davitt among them-objccted to
allowing the government shorthand reporters
to have a seat ON the platform. Arequest made
to that effect by the Inspector of Constabulary
was declined peremptorily against, it should
be stated, the wishes of Mr. Parnell. The
government reporters, therefore, stationed
themselves in close proximity under the
protection of twenty armed members
speech John Nally, Fenian, from Balla, who
was on the platform, cried out to the crowd,
''Shove these reporters away! Shut them up!'
The response was a yell, followed Immediately
by rush. For moment it seemed as if the
reporters and constables would be swept off the
ground but the latter raised their guns to their
hips and presented them toward the people,
who tell back all in confusion. Several moments
Parnell trying his best to quiet the tumult.
Excavations were heard on all sides. Yells
arose of course the spies ~ "Kill the Saxon
bastardsw
CALMING THE STORM
Parnell said he had desired that the report
ers should come to the stand The inspector
angrly replied that the committee had refused.
Mr.. Parnell guaranteed their safety on the
stand if the constabulary would withdraw.
This being agreed to, the writers mounted the
platform amid the jeers of the crowd. A col
lision would certainly have occurred but for
Parncll's intervention. Mr.. Charles l.. Ellison.
Poor Law Guardian and well known sport
ing character, spoke regarding the dis
tress. lie said if the people were
not helped there would be repetition
to some extent of the scenes of 1S47. MIR.
He claimed that the rents which the landlords
got for the past year or two did not como from
the soil, but from America.