The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-07
THE IRISH LAND WAR.
INTERVIEW WITH BRENNAN IN CASTELAR,
JAIL-THE AGITATION PREPARED TO SUPPLY
MEN FOR THE PRISON AND FOR THE GAL
Lows-A PALE-EYED AND JUVENILE ENTHU-
SIAST.


Lows-A PALE-EyED AND JUVENILE ENrHU-
sIAsr.
BY CABLE TO THE HERALD
CAsTLEBAR, Dec. 9, 1879.
The HERALD correspondent was to-day adj
mitted to the Jail at Castlebar for the purpose
of holding an interview with Brennan. The
Jail is an imposing castellated structure, and
altogether the finest building in the town. 1t
is situated on rising ground, commanding q
magnificent view of the country, the most
prominent feature in the landscape being the
majestic Creagh- Patrick, upon whose grace
fnl slopes the legend says that St. Patrick
banished the evil spirits from Ireland. We
were admitted after some delay and our names
registered. Finally we were shown into
large stone room where dsagreeabe looking
warder searched us with the zeal of New
York customs officer, not much for con-
cealed weapons as for surreptitious newspapers
were conducted along several dark passages,
and finally at the end of one Of these the turn
key opened a small wooden door in a thick wall.
THE HERO OF THE HOUR.
On looking through piece Of perforated zinc
one could see the face of the prisoner, who was
confined in the debtors room. He seemed
cheerful and even elated. Brennan is slim
young fellow, with light mustache pale face
and etfeminate appearance. He stated that he
expected his arrest sometime on the night be-
fore it actually occurred. He was followed
home from the theatre by detectives. He spoke
thankfully of the good treatment he received
from the Governor. He is allowed q reading
lamp, two newspapers daily, writing material
and other conveniepces which were not
vouchsafed to the Sligo prisoners He stated
but his friends at Castelar, had engaged the
services of local counsel. He firmly believed
that the government arrested him to prevent
his attending the meeting at Castlercagh, but
he modestly remarked that the governments
action would not for a moment retard the great
land movement, which would be q miserable
agitation indeed if it were unable to bear the
sacrifice of a few men in prison or, if necessary,
on the gallows.
POLITICAL ECONOMIST.
He could not understand why he had been
arrested for his speech at Balla. He said moth
ing scditious, for he had not indorsed the words
Of Daily and Killen, but only those of Davitt,
which were merely repetition of the
principles of John Stuart Mill. Bren-
nan intended to repeat tho identical
words for which he was arrested at the first
opportunity. He wished it to be distinctly UNI
derstood that he repudiated any connection be-
tween the land agitation and the commission of
outrages or the sending of threatening letters.
The land agtators had no sympathy with such
cowardly intimidation. Their language was
constitutional. If Gladstone had used in
Ireland such language as he used in Scotland
he would probably be in Jail. With this the
interview ended. There is is little or no gem
eral interest at Castlcbar regarding Brcnnan's
presence there. If the prisoner knew that fact
he would probably be much disappointed.
Parnell and Davitt will arrive on Monday to
attend the investigation. On the removal of
Thomas Brennan to prison from the Court
House last night great crowds, with blazing tar
barrels, followed the car in which he was con.
veyed cheering the prisoner and hooting
the police. The crowd stopped the car, but as
it was well guarded no rescue was attempted.
subsequently the police, by order Of magi-
stratc seized tar barrel, when the crowd dis
persed prccpitately.
DECLINE OF THE MOVEMENT.
The land agitation received blow to-day IN
county Mayo-the hotbed of conspiracy, of rib
bon outragcs and of popular meetings--by the
unconditional surrender of q large body Of ton
ants who hold farms OF Sir Roger Palmer The
Dublin office Of this landlord was to-day crowded
by hundreds who came to pay their full rent
after having for months utterly refused to pay
penny unless they got twenty ave per cent