National Republican., 1880-08-06
THE IRISH LAND LEAGUE.
What the Secretary Said to "Bepubiican''
ReDorter

Tho limited express from New York yostor.
day afternoon brought TO this city Mr..
Michael Davitt of Dublin, ireland, and secre.
tary Of the Irish Land League. Ho was met
at The depot by committee and escorted to
Willard's hotel, whore apartments had been
secured for him. A representative Of TIE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN called upon him and
was cordially received, Mr.. Davitt stating
that be was always glad to impart informa-
tion Of the workings Of his association to tho
press. Mr.. Davtt is rather = fne-looking
man, probably forty years of age, dark COM
plexiOned aud wears a full beard aud mus.
tachc. He has but ono arm, having lost
his right in carly boybood. In the
conversation Mr.. Davitt stated that his object
in coming to this country was to organize land
leagues in the principal cities Of the United
States and Canada, who should render such
assistance as might bo required until next win
tor The prospects were excellent for splon-
did harvest Ia Ireland in fact. IL was an
nounccd that tho yield would be the greatest
for the past twelve years. Upwards of $4,000
Of tho money sent by the United States had
been applied TO the purchase of seed and dis.
tribntod among the poor. Although the dis
trrss in Ireland was not now Of serious char
acteT, still tho people would have 10 be cared
for until spring. The land league in ireland
was now nearly 100000 strong. aud among
other rules adopted was one that, IN case n far
rent, no member of the league would occupy
or till tho land. The sole object the league had
in view was the overthrow Of the landlords
and protection OF the pcasantry. Mr.. Parnell
was in full sympathy with this movement, and
WAS president OF tho league. Tho league did
not propose to allow the landlords TO receive
ono cent from the hnrvCsts this year for rack
rents, II was owing to the unparalleled genor-
| osty Oi tho United States that the British gov.
ernment was shamed into appropriatiug &
81, 600 out Of the church surplus fund for
the benefit Of the starving people in Ireland
This money was theirs by right yet au effort
had been made to subvert it from the proper
| channel aud pour IL into tho pockets of the
| landlords. But tho stand taken by certain
| members of parliament had defeated the
! scheme aud the peop.o were ightod. Tho
| land league meant selfprotcCtion, and
tho farmers In Ireland had found il
out, aud honcoforth would noursh il
tendcrly. They also knew that the
recent famine was dus to English misrulo aud
not to Divine Providence, as had been us
serted. In 1852 movement similar to tho
| present one was started, but tho people trusted
too much to leaders and not to themselves and
it failed. Now they were FULLY alive TO the
| eXigencies Of the case and intended to helI
| themselves aud not have their money wruns
from them and squanGered by tho landhold
ing class.
| If the present policy of the English govern
ment was maintained and another famine re-
suited, as IL surely would then his advice t
the people of tho United States would DO tC
button up their purses and let tho landlords
who had robbed tho people succor them. II
| conclusion, Mr.. Davitt said that ho woulC
leave Washington for Pittsburg this morning
thence through the principal cities Of the Yves
to San Francisco. Having an engagement t.
speak at tho Clan.na.G Gael picnic in tho even
ing Mr.. Davitt excused himself and retired tc
| his room.