The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-20

were entlTeIy dD0Hsn6d, inert were ponce
everywhere. and they We're both loafers
and well fed, while the workers were starv-
ing. Meetings like the present one are
impossible, and the participants would be
imprisoned. The arrest of all connected
with the Land League organ United ire
land. paper they did not suppress. but
tried to make it impossible to publish. The
Land League has also been suppressed,
and its existence is threatened.
The landlords have the control of
all branches of the English government,
and used their power to support their in
terests. They suppressed the Land
League; they imprisoned the Leaders;
they terrorized the country and outraged
all lRw; they trampled all rights under
foot. The Irish people had only one re-
course. they could not fight but they could
make one reply to the coercion act an act
passed to secure rent; and that answer
was mo rent" Pay no rent" reads the
manifesto under any pretence, until gov
eminent restores the rights of the people.
Give US our rights and we win pay rent
until then mo rent" America refused to
pay taxes without representation: Irish
men say mo constitution, no rent"
Mr.. OConner next took up the question
as to the exped;ency of the measure. The
news furnished in this country gave the
impression that the Imprisonment of Par
nell and others had broken up the League
and brought the tenants to terms; but this
news came from English sources and is in
no wise trustworthy and English newspa-
pers were cited to show that the news had
been predjudiced from the place where it
originated In fact the landlords had
come down in their demands and
were willing to accept reduced rent, but
he re $50 4,1 hat How
would not pay that until their subjects
were released. and what more they did
not.
The throwing aside of all former sect
lines was referred to, and as the land
league tickets were orange and green 50
ProteStants and Catholics were both united
in the Irish cause; sectarianism was over
thrown and no religion was known save
zeal for Ireland.
The orator then gave his ideas as to what
constituted fair rent; fair rent was what
would leave them after paying it, money
to give them enough to eat. The land
was bound to yield them living, and
living did not mean porridge three times
day with chance of potatoes; but it
meant three square meals with good din
ner on Sunday. If the rent would allow
of that it was fair, il it did not it was
excessive.
An amusing incident was related where
priest had displayed a revolver on an
occasion where trouble was expected and
the laymen fell back on the clergy for pro-
lection,
SCHOOLS N IRELAND
were neglected and comparison was drawn
between them there and here Irish chill
dren were silent, joyless SET they knew
no pleasure, their lot was like their parents,
sad. The fight in Ireland was not for the
men alone, it was not for the women but
it was for the helpless half starved chill
dren; the coming generation. Because
his parents are rendered poor by the land
law SO is the child brought up in poverty
and ignorance, the harm done his father
is harm done the child.
The choice of success was his next topic;
and it stated to be good. The tenant
learned the strength of union, and were
using that strength. '.Boycotting" had
been denounced by the English press and
the English people, but it was a weapon
that as used by all classes, and is a most
effectuai one. Instances We're given where
'Boycotting' had been most successful
Landlords who had rendered themselves
obnoxious could do no business in ireland;
they could sell nothing no one would trade
with them, and they were thus brought to
terms.
Evictions were then referred to, and the
difficulty shown up. The time was when
they were common; it is not so now The
party making it could get nothing, could
hire no help, could get no aid; they must
bring everything, even the bread they eat.
they could buy nothing Even the child
rem united together, and ''boycotting" was
ENGLAND TvoS ctr
but it could not do everything; it could set
aside the constitution, it could put
Ireland under Martial law, but it could
not tine the tenants to pay their rent.
The land league supported the eyicted
tenants; if they were sent to Jail it sup
ported their wives and children, and if the
mothers and wives were impris
oned it saw that the children did not
want
The fight in Ireland had been SO far
successful; it had been desperate one and
the victories already won would never be
given up.
Landlordism had received many blows
but there would be no rest until it was
sent sprawling in the dust Landlordism
In Ireland had been guilty of the most
henious crimes; it had committed every
crime, had stopped at no outrage, and so
@~AAoONNAs
lation in Ireland. Rent was death" and
it was true of the race; as rent affected
Irishmen in Ireland, so did it in America;
it was fight not the tenants at home but
OF the race throughout the world. 1t was
as much our affair as theirs, it was our fight
as well as their fight. Let Irishmen
throughout the world see to it that success
was attained.
OTHER REMARKS.
At the conclusion of the address of Mr.
OConnor, the crowd called for
NJ. V. CANNON,
Of Davenport, VINO made most happy
little speech. He spoke Of the fact that
the Irish cause was proving more popular
than had ever been the case in the past
He stated that there was reason for this
united effort, as facts were becoming more
apparent that showed that England would
never permit the separation of Ireland.
The speaker depicted the mistake that had
been made in Ireland in looking to any
particular political party in England for
help and assistance to the Irish cause. He
was convinced that Ireland should ego it
alone" and depend solely ON her citizens
yalor and bravery to free her from land
lordlsm. He closed his remarks by offer
ing the thanks of the land league of Rock
g