The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-20
o'C0NNoR'S OVATION.
His Lecture at Harper's
Theatre Last Night.
Synopsis of the Discourse as
Delivered.
Full Description of the Event
and Remarks.

Last evening Hon. Thomas Power
O'Connor, member of Parliament TO
Galway, Ireland, delivered one of his yer,
interesting and characteristic lectures a
Harper's Theatre, under the auspices o
the Rock Island branch of the Lane
League. The event proved highly success
full in every particular, as the spacious the
atre was crowded with highly enthusi
astic audience, and the discourse was ,
creditabie exposition of the affairs in tn
Emerald Isle, as well as a literary pro
duction of no mean order of merit.
The audience was not composed entirel.
of Irish Americans, but had fair repre-
sentation of native Americans who attend
ed the discourse for the purpose of be
coming enlightened as to the internal at
fairs of Ireland as pictured by one VIII
was competent to give authentic infor
nation.
THE STAGE
was appropriately decorated for the occa
sion in which the National colors of re
land formed very prominent feature
The American stars and stripes were dra
ped about one of the proscenium boxe
while the colors of the ''old sod" were sus
pended from the opposite box. =
In the centre of the stage contained /
table on which very handsome floral Of
fering was displayed.
Upon the stage were the members Of thu
reception committee of Rock Island anG
Davenport, besides other prominent citi
zens of this locality, among whom the
Catholic Clergy were ably represented
Among others upon the stage were tht
following gentlemen: f. W. German, W
Mullin, Jas. Quinn, NJ V. Cannon, Johr
Nevins, Rev. ]. p. Burke. John Lillis, q
Davenport, Rev. Mr.. O'Callaghan of Ster
ling, Ben. Harper, Rev. Thomas Mackin
Thomas F. Cary, Maj L. NJ. Buford, Hen
ry Harrison. James j. Parks, P. OMara
Fred Koch, A. C. Dart, d. Roy Bowlbv
Capt Morris T. Stafford, DIR. c. Truesdale
Charles j. Larkin, Capt. James McCord
J. V, Mahoncy, Louis May VIM Fl, Marsh
ALL and Alderman Whitman of Rocl
Island
THE EXERCISES
commenced promptly at o'clock wher
the distinguished visitor made his appear
ance on the stage, accompanied by tht
reception committee. The entrance of thC
lecturer and committee was the signal fol
enthusiastic applause which only terminal
ed when the vocal quartette commenced
the rendition of the popular and inspiring
refrain entitled Wearing of the Green.
The yocalists consisted of Messrs. Cooke
Case, Swiler and Bloom. The vocal efforts
were fully appreciated by the audience, as
was testified by applause as each verse
was concluded and also at its conclusion
When the vocal number had terminated
Henry Carse, mayor of the city of Rock
Island, stepped forward and in very briet
manner introduced the guest of the city,
HON. THOMAS POWERS o'coNNoR
The speaker, in his introductory re
marks, paid a compliment to the meeting
and referred to the song just sung IS being
an epitome of Irish history. Irish history
had been continued story of oppression
and suffering, and the time was not so fal
gone when the wearing of the green haC
been a punishable offense; men had SUI
fered death for it but the green was still
worn. An appeal to arms is not known
now, for no Irishman can possess weapon:
unless he is known to be a friend to the
government He related an incident in this
connection of man being imprisoned fol
the possession of flint lock. Mr.. O'Con
nor then gave a reason why Irish Ameri
cans should take an interest in Irish affairs
"The Irish question is an American ques
ton "said the speaker, and he put in argu
ment the absentee landlord matter. Irish
Americans sent money home to aid theil
relatives there and this sum, always q large
one, went to pay rent, it was paid to theil
landlords. 1t did not make Ireland richer
for the landlords took it and spent it on
foreign lands 1.-THE money went to tho
landlord and not to the tenant; TO the
enemies of tie Irish people" This money
would amount to ten millions a year.
Again the Irish American citizen takes this
money from himself and his family, which
otherwise he might save, and which would
advance him in life; as it is it is wantes
on absentee landlords and does not even
aid in improving Ireland.
THE CONVERSION
of Petroleum v Nasty was graphically
narrated; and the efforts which know
ledge of the true condition of the tenants
on his mind, from opponent of the land
league he had become firm supporter
w
man who had gone over to Ireland and
had looked for himself came back fanati
cal supporter of the Irish interest. ''Rent
is death" said Mr.. Nasby when he had
once seen true instance of the tenant
system.
The rent rate was then held up and theiI
extortion showed up. The rent was always
too high and the decisions Of the land
courts cited to prove it; in one instance
the court reduced the rent from eight
pounds year to two pounds, and the
speaker claimed that the landlord had rob
bed the tenant-of six pounds year. Six
pounds year seems very little to you
said Mr.. O'Connor "but in Ireland it rep
resents the difference between comfort and
misery. The land would not bring forth
the money, it had to be made up outside
by the Patseys and Biddies in America.
In referring to the statements that the
Land League movement was only intended
to extract money from the Biddies of this
country he had only to say that every
atl,ar cIassal of the Irish DeODle NAV he