The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-02-12
A PLEA FOR IRELAND.
Hon. Charles Stewart Parnell Addresses tho
House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON February D

WASHINGTON, February ..
Hon. Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish
agitator, arrived in this city on the limi.
ted express train this afternoon. He was
met at the depot by reception committee
composed of Senator Jones, Representa-
tives Young, OConnor, Wood, Cox,
Ford, Frost, McNlahon, Gillett, and
Henderson, and members of the various
Irish societies of the District, and escort
cd by the party to Willard's Hotel. Mr..
Parnell was accompanied by his mother,
sister, Mr.. John B. Dillon and Mr.. Muir
dock, editor of the Inverness Highlands.
At the hotel all address of welcome was
delivered by Capt. Edward O'Meagher
Condor, President of the Parnell Exec
utive Committee. Mr.. Parnell replied
briefly, and general reception followed.
The House of Representatives held n
special session this evening in accordance
with resolution adopted last week in
viting Mr.. Parnell to speak in the hall of
the House. The usual Monday session
lasted till 4 p. m, when recess till 80
p. IN. was taken. There was an immense
crowd at the Capitol long before that
hour arrived. At 6,30 the broad steps
were packed with people eager to hear
the great Member of Parliament and
pleade. for the rights of the unhappy
peasantry of Ireland. The doors of the
building were not opened till near
o'clock, and by 7,05 all the galleries ex-
cept the diplomatic gallery were packed
with people. BY an order of the House
this afternoon, the ladies belonging to
the families of Congressman were admit
ted to the floor. The members were tardy
in arriving, and as late as 7,3O there were
many vacant seats on the floor, but up
stairs all the doorways were throngcd
with people who had failed to get seats,
while the corridors were so packed that
it was almost impossible to pass through.
Scattered about the hall of the House
were q number of Senators, several of
them accompanied by ladies. 1t was
7,50 o'clock before the House was called
to order, although 7,30 was the hour fixed
for the meeting 10 open. At the hour
named Speaker Randall entered the hall,
accompanied by Mr.. Parnell, who was
received with cheers as he walked up the
aisle and took seat beside Mr.. Randall
on the Speakers platform.
Speaker Randall asked the Clerk to
read the resolution under which the ses-
sion of tonight was held. He then rose
and said that in conformity with that
resolution he had the honor and pleasure
to introduce Charles Stewart Parnell, who
was among us to speak of the distress of
his country. Mr.. Parnell was received
with applause from the floor and galle-
ries. lie commenced his speech by
thanking the House for the honor con-
ierred on him, and entered at once upon
an explanation of the suffering of the
Irish people and the causes of their mis-
fortunes, which he ascribed to the system
of land tenure. Every allusion that was
made to the help that America was CIV
ing to Ireland was received with demon
strations of applause. In the course of
his speech he said it would be proud
boast for America if this country should
aid in reforming the land tenures of Ire
land and solving this great question
without the shedding of one drop Of
blood, as it could do. He alluded to the
fact that he had American blood in his
veins, and this ELECTED perfect storm of
applause. He thanked the Americans
for the generosity Of their contributions,
and hoped this would be the last Irish
famine they would have to aid in reliey-
ing.
Sfr. Parnell concluded at 500 o'clock.
The House then Immediately adjourned
and the audience dispersed. The vast
crowd kept good order, except now and
then there was a little commotion in the
gallery, owing to the people in the rear
crowding upon those in front to hear
better. AT the close of the meeting Mr..
Parnell held levee in the hall, and was
introduced to members and others by
Speaker Randall. Mr.. Phelps, of Con.
necticut, introduced a bill in the House
to-day appropriating 100000 for the re-
lief of the famine sufferers in Ireland,
which was referred.