National Republican., 1880-01-05

upon the Irish poor-law system, and they
have replied In answer TO every appeal that
thcy cannot interfere, and tho ordinary action
of tho poor.law Is sufficient 10 meet the cmer-
gcncy. Now 1t was proved in years gone by,
aud has been proved frequently, that tho Irish
tenant will die in the ditch rather than en-.
ter the poorhouse [appluusol, and ho Is right.
THE IRISH POOR LAW SYSTEM
Is the most hcndish and ingenious system
that wo have received from England for the
purpose of slowly torturing our country TO
death. Ties Of families are brokcn up--lnthcr
Is sep rated from his children, children from
their mother, wife from husband aud the
wrotchcd inmates of the worihouse, which
they must outcr are consigned to what Is for
many of them but living death. All yo
who enter here abandon hope might be APP
rropriately written on the portals Of every
workhOuso in Ireland. Now if IN 1916, before
tho Irish famine had commenced, the question
could have been brought before the American
people as it is bOing brought to-day,
whether by ono sldo or the other,
or by both, tlut famine would
have been impossible, for the government
would have been shamed into stopping it.
But what happoncd2 l do not wish 10 excite
your passions by references TO the past; you
know the past perfectly well. The history of
the past is written in lettcls that will never
bo erased from tho Irish mind. But we hivo
sufficient evidence in the prcsont for our pur-
pose. 1t is now admitted on all hands that
the distress is imminent, and tho discussion of
this question will undoubtedly force the
British government to take suitable
action, while tho charitable Americans will
como forward rs they have always como
forward and bo tho first to help our puOple
ably aud generously, they must not forget the
great value and benefit that is to be derived
from open discussion in the face of tho nations
of the world. But IT, US we have been so
frequently advised, We had allowed the
present movement to 20 by without any at
tempt at organization we should havo had a
repetition of 1917 and its terrible scenes.
Government neglect would have been the
same as ever; the heart of our people would
have been broken by physical suffering and
distress; they would have become dsorgnn.
ized and cXusperatod oviCtionS in mGltitudcs
would have taken place retnliatory action
would have boon adopted by tho cxagpurated
masses We should have had
ANOTHER INEFFEcrUAL REBELLION;
tho wild justice of revenge would have been
invoked against tho Irish landlords. But
what II contrast is thcro! Iustchd of chaos
and disorgauiaIton tbs Irish people now pre-.
sent II remarkable spectacle. Firm, confident
aud sof.reinnt, with death literally staring
them in the face, thoy stand within the limit
Of the law and constitution, aud the first to
set them the example Of breaking that law
and Outstcppng tho constitution has boon The
very government of tho country which has
sworn to do only that which is right.
The attention of tho whole civilized
world is centered upon Ireland, and very
shortly tho merits of our question
will be known in all parts OF the world. We
have saved the lives of the landlords, aud We
have saved the lives of tho people. Now l
do not wi5h-in fact it would be impossible for
me, In tho presence of this immense multi
tude-to 60 into details. can only speak very
generally in reference TO many branches of
this great question, but may state generally,
If asked What do you propose, that we pro
pose to make occupCrs of tho soil owners. We
wish to do this with as little in.
jury, to what may be considered
to DO vested interests rs possible. No
physical violence. no unconstitutional ac-
tion is contemplated or In my Judgment ncces.
sary, as have repeat tcdly said. American public
opinion is enc OF our greatest weapons, aud the
landlords themselves by invoking that public
opinion have shOwa tho very high value they
place upon It,. feel that this is a very great
compliment to you that tho proud British ar
stocracy should humble itself and appear rs
suppliants before this great democracy"
lu conclusion, Mr.. Parnoll said: "ConA-
IDENTIFY look forward tn tho time whom the tiller
of the soil in ireland may, rs in other free
countries, reap tho benefit OF his exertions
and hand tho result down to his children.
TGen l believe that onc great step toward the
freedom of Ireland will have boon made that
we shall have put II nail in the coffin Of the
system of English miSrule [appause]; removed
one of the greatest impedmonts to the union
of all classes and all religions there [great
cheersl, and that wo shall have the wish of
every Irish patriot in all ages realized that
the orange and groom may be united [cheersl /;
the Protestant and Catholic enabled to work
together for tho good of their country
[applausel, and that no cause may exist to pre-
vent any class of our countrymen from doing
their duty by tho land which has given thom
birth" [Great applause.
A series Of resolutions expressive Of the
sense of tho meeting were then adopted. The
receipts at the box-oillce amounted to more
than $4,000.