The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-12-09
THE LAND LEAGUERS.
GATHERING OF THE LEADERS IN DUBLIN.
APPEARANCE OF THE MEN.

A GATHERING OF THE LEADERS IN DUBLIN.
APPEARANCE OF THE MEN.
Dublin Correspondent \. Y. Herald: |
4 little group of young men are gather |
ed about table in back parlor in Mid |
die Abbey street., Dublin. The apart
ment is furnished as an Office, aud the
stranger might imagine it to be mis-
sionary society's room, a clerks protec- |
tive club; in fact, almost anything ex-
cept the headquarters of a political league
which has plunged Ireland into an extra |
ordinary social crisis, has defed the pow
er of the British Government, drawn up
on itself one of the greatest State prose |
cutions of modern days, and provoked |
the attention and discussion of statesmen
and writer's in every country in the world. |
This is the Irish National Land League.
and thinking that the readers of The !
Herald would be interested in an account |
of the place from which emanates the
laws now governing the peasantry of Ire
land, and of the makers of these laws, |
attended a meeting Of the League last |
week. 1t was a special meeting called to |
consider the action of the Government in !
prosecuting the leaders for conspiracy
and sedition. The Land League offices |
lie on the first floor of what was once a
dwelling house. The entrance is by
spacious hall and the front room is small, |
uufurnished and cheerlecs. 1t has
wooden counter and might be shop only |
there seems nothing to sell. Ibelieve it |
answers the purpose of an inquiry office,
for clerk is stationed in it to answer the |
questions of callers. Behind is the COM
mittee room, in what was once the draw |
ing room of the house, I suppose. Here
Mr.. Brennan is found at his secretary's |
desk, with Mr.. O'Sullivan, his assistant,
while about the room are gathered vari-
GUS members in little groups jesting |
about or discussing the great question Of |
the moment-the prosecutions. A dozen |
table in the middle of the room, and all |
are awaiting the arrival of Mr.. Parnell, |
and with him copy of the "Dictator's |
HIATT" Of Defense Fund Appeal. Final |
ly he comes and is cordially welcomed on
all hands. His Irish American friends. |
I fear, would hardly know him. A few |
weeks ago, while on visit to London,
Parnell shaved off his mustache and taw
ny beard, and has since appeared with
closely trimmed side whiskers. The |
change does not improve his appearance,
but it reveals the resolute mouth and |
firm jaw, which are the keys to his repu-
tahon for iron will and obstinacv. MANY |
have wondered, when they have seen the
mild-looking face of the leader, how he
could possess the qualities which were
said to be his. They would hardly ask
the question now. SO decisive and close
ly compressed does his couutenance seem
that it looks relentless in its frmness-
even hard.
He took his place in the chairman's |
seat at the head of the table, and began
brief statement regarding the course he
should remommend with regard to the
prosecutions. He advised that the trials
be pushed on as rapidly as possible, and
that the defence do nothing to retard
them. l thought Parnell much improv-
ed oratorically since / had last heard him
speak. His voice was more subdued, |
less rugged, and he spoke more fuertIy |
and gracefully than had ever heard
him. He is, however, always best when
speaking in a conversational tone. While |
he is making his statement let rs look |
about the room. Over the mantel are |
two plaster busts, one Of the Queen, and |
the other of her consort. Between them
Is framed satin banner, upon which is
printed in gold letters an address to Par
nell from the Knights of ST. Patrick of |
st. Louis, and n good portrait of the |
chief himself hangs near by. Tho four
walls of the room are covered with vari-
ously- -coloreq bills and posters anpc1nc- |
ing meetings now past, held in various
parts OF the country. They are all head.
ed with notices which are specially in.
terestlng because they will doubtless
form part of the evidence against the agi
tators. | noticed ''The Land for the /
People, ireland for the Irish" "Hold
the Harvest, Refund the Rents"
"Down with Landlordism. The most
interesting of all these bills, however, is
one which has place of honor between
the two windows. 1t is green plaeard,
and calls meeting of tenants at Irish
town for April 90, 1879, and is headed
"The Vests Awake" This was the first
meeting Of the movement which has now
became so powerful, and was called by
Michael Davitt, to whom solely is due
the responsibility of its origin. A few
wooden chairs complete the furniture of
the Land League committee.room. and
it viii be seen that it is not very luxur-
ious, Among others present at the
meeting are Patrick Egan, J. G.. Biggar,
NJ. P; I. d. Sullivan, NJ. P; T. P.
O'COnnor. NJ P: J. J. O'Keljay NJ p !