The Portland daily press., 1881-02-15
IRISH LAND LEAGUE.
An Enthusiastic Meeting. by
Several Gentlemen.

The Land League held large and enthusi-
astic meeting last night. The increasing in
terest manifested argues we'll for the success of
the League. The recent events which have
TRANSFERRED in England-the arrest of Davitt
the arbitrary action of the Speaker of the
House of Commons, the election of the Home
Rule members, and the provisions of the coer-
cion bill-have aroused the indignation of our
citizens. The cause of Ireland is the cause of
humanity, and she deserves the sympathy of
all without regard to race, religion or party in
her heroic efforts to obtain freedom. Rema rks
were made by Elliot King, Charles Mccarthy,
Jr., j. F. Turner, William H. Looney, James
Comedian, and Thomas F. Sheehan.
Mr. King believed that a public meeting
should be held in Portland, but he thought it
should be held after the coercion bill was put
in force. He felt confident such meeting
would be decided success, and that the people
OF Portland would turn out en- masse to ex-
press their indignation at the action of the
British government.
Charles Mccarthy, Jr., agreed with Mr..
King in regard to the time of holding pu bic
meeting He denounced the history of Eng
the blacklist record in the annals of the world.
He believed that if the people of Ireland would
persevere, if they were heartily endorsed by
the people of the United States they would ul-
timately succeed.
VIM II. Looney said that the proposed coer-
cion bill would be a disgrace to despotic Rus
STA, much less England. He had read nothing
In ancient Or modern history to equal it in its
infamous provisions When it became law
the Irish people would be virtually under the
heal of Tn the fapa nf fha ra
cent despotic measures of the English govern
ment the great principles of liberty which I'M
derlie the British constitution were a farce
He denounced Gladstone as hypocrite and
said no justice could be expected from any
English government.
James Comedian criticised the public utter
ances of some of the British leaders, and COM
mented severely upon the editorials of certain
newspapers.
j.. +. Turner believed a public meeting
should soon be held.
T. f. Sheehan explained at length the prin-.
cpleS OF the Land League, and dwelt with
great severity upon the action of the So called
liberal government of England Gladstone's
the United States during the great rebellion,
was also commented on. Mr.. Sheehan then
showed that Boycotting was practised by the
colonies before the Revolution of 49, He ex-
planned the history of the Beers in South At
RIGA
JAS CUNNINGHAM said that the real object of
the present agitation was to give the people of
Ireland the possession of the land 1t belong
ed to them by the law of nature and the law of
the land. He spoke of the success of the Land
League in this country and said that already
over 900 branches were formed. When the
proper time arrives he believed that force
should be used to obtain the rights of Ireland.
The history of nations proved that ''those who
would be free themselves must first strike the
blow.'
A large number joined the League, which
now numbers over IT'S. The propriety of hold
ing public meeting was left with the officers
of the League.
The next meeting of the League will be
held next Monday evening.
There will be meeting of the Ladies Land
League Thursday evening