Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-02-28
CHICAGO LETTER.


nell and Dillon, the great Irish reform
ag%itators, and their Scotch companion
James Murdoch, editor of the High
lander, have been here, and the event
will never be forgotten. On their ar
rival at the depot Monday night, they
were met by a vast ~concourse of mill
tary and civic societies, and were es-
corted to the grand Pacific hotel.
After a few minutes delay there the
procession moved to the Exposition
building, amid the greatest enthusi-
asm of the masses that lined the
streets. Sweet and stirring music
swelled the evening breezes, flags
loated gaily, while joyous cheers rose
high above all, making the scene truly
inspiring. The distinguished guests
were met at the hall by Governor
Cullom, of Illinois, Mayor Harrison,
of Chicago, Colonel John Forsythe,
General Black, ex-Mayor Thomas
Hoyne, quite a number OF clergymen OF
all denominations, 200 vice presidents
from all notable walks of life, and
many other prominent citizens, and
besides this an audience numbering
$4,000 sympathizing souls who made
the vast hall shake with their cheer
ing shouts Of welcome. The stage was
t~astefully decorated with flags of many
nations; but the British colors were
absent. In the center of the f%estoon-
ing in rear OF the rostrum was a SPLEEN
did oil portrait of Mr.. Parnell. Gov
ernor Collum made the opening ad-
dress. 1t revealed the object of the
meeting, and was full ofdeep sympa-
thy Tor d%Owntrodden Ireland. Then
ex- Mayor Hoyne was presented, and
delivered a very happy address OF
welcome to the patriots from the
Green Isle. This was received with
prolonged cheers. and when he re-
ferred to the atrocities committed upon
the Irish by Inc tyrant Britain a burst
of Kisses broke forth. Governor Col
lum then presented Hen. Charles
Stewart Parnell, the stern champi-
on Of Ireland's rights against
England's barbsrities. As the distin-
guished gentleman stepped forward
the several bands gave a flourish of
trumpets, and thirty or forty thousand
lips gave vent to cher greetings in
long and loud cheers, while ladies'
handkerchieis and gentlemen's hats
waved a hearty welcome from as
many thousand hands. No lord of
manor or favored king ever received
such a royal welcome from hearts
loyal to freedoms cause in any land.
Mr.. Parnell's address was a grand ex-
pose of England's .villainous treat
ment of the people Of ireland, whose
condition was worse than that Of the
most abject galley slave. He said his
mission to this country was for the
purpose Of placing the case Of the
Irish before the American people,
fully believing that the terrible pic
ture would excite in their breasts a
deep feeling of sympathy for their
terrible condition, and elicit suchacts
Of condemnation of the authors Of
such heinous wrongs that would in-
duce tyrant England to give
unto Caesar the the things that
are Caesars He contended that
Ireland's soil belongs to the
Irish, and they should have control Of
the land. To this end he wanted the
land laws so changed as to give Irish
men ar opportunity to purchase
homes for themselves also, for the
government of Great Britain to buy
up the estates of landlords and sell
them in small parcels to the people on
time-conditional, the same as pur-
chasers of real estate in this country.
He claimed that gaunt, want and dire
famine will always exist on the Emer-
aid Isle until the people owned and
cultivated the country. He said this
was demanded by the rightful owners
irrespective of religion or sectional
bias. lie warned those sympathizing
with the Irish cause to beware of the
Marlborough and Bennett relief COM
mittees, and counseled them to send
their donations to the Irish land
league, ortosOme true clergyman ofany
denomination. Hegave toad" Jimmy
Bennett, of the New York Herald, a
severe scoring, and held up to scoru
the Marlborough frauds, etc. Mr..
John Dillon was next introduced, and
was as heartily received by the i'm
mense thrOng as his illustrious pre-
decessor. His address was. in sub
stance, the same as that of Mr.. Par
nell. Next came forward Mr.. John
Murdoch, a stalwart Scotchman, and
the editor of the fearless Highlander
newspaper, dressed in striking High
land costume. Like his compatriots,
he was joyously welcomed. His re-
marks led him over the same ground
travelled by Messrs. Parnell and Dill
lon, as TO the woes and needs Of poor
old Ireland. But he asked that the
American people, while knocking the
chains from the necks of his irish
brethren, they would deal a blow for
those equally suffering in Scotland.
Here he was greeted with cheers, and
yes, yes, we will" Miss Emile
Gavin, n of Chicago's native favor
| itn dramatic orfistes was navt nro.
scented, and was uproariouslv
apblauded for some minutes.
She recited a poem written
for the occasion, entitled THE Irish
Famine in 1880" Her part was per
formed to perfection. The impressive
points were splendidly rendered, the
reader entering naturally into the full
spirit Of the author s.inspiration. At
the conclusion she was greeted by
storms Of applause. Who the author
of the poem is still remains a mystery