The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-11

IA dApat6h FROM P epria, NJ, say
A efprief interviewed r, w. Grove
the gastliine;lamp Contractor here, who
is sconnected with the internal machine
matter. Grove has always been at
the head of the Fenian agitation here.
and is one of tho most desperate agi-
tators. He is man small in stature,
with q dark, intellectual countenance,
aud talks composedly on ordinary top
ics.; Grove produced letter from
George Holgate, Gated Phil ,del-
phia. August 81, 1880, setting forth
that Mr.. H0lgate was one of the own
ers of the McClentock torpedo boat
which did such terrible execution du-
ring the rebellion, and that he had
been conducting experiments with it
under water, which caused McClen-
took to lose his life, and that he had
refused . proposition from Spain for
the boat. He claimed the boat would
blow up any vessel in the British fleet,
and could blockade any port, regard
less of all men-of-war in the world.
1t would cost about $4,000 to hold it,
and he would place it at Groves dis
posal. He claimed the boat would do
more good for Ireland and bring the
British government to terms quicker
than half million men could. Grove
said shortly afterward the Executive
Committee of United Irishmen met
in New York. Judge Brennan, Capt.
6. Speerman, OF New York; Joseph
Kerefee, of Providence; Thomas H.
Dwyer, of Chicago; O'Donovan Rosa
aud himself were present. They dis
cussed Holgate's proposition and the
hs,f Nvor % 70 80,
they decided it would be too expen-
sive, and that they could do better
work by depesiting torpedees In Brit
ish ships, which could be done for $25
apiece, and which would bring Eng
land to terms by making it dangerous
for people to 60 abroad in British ves-
sells. They decided to take that course.
Some time later the United Irishmen
and Fenians Joined hands In order to
execute these plans. They were 5000
strong in the United States and Cana
da. There were branches in Toronto,
Quebec, Montreal, and nearly every
important city in the United States.
These Internal machines are being
made in every city where there is a
branch of the order. and will continue
to be made. They are working for the
good of the cold sod,' and they were
no mere liable than are makers of re-
volvers and cannon. Dynamite was
no more suspicious than powder, and
with these weapons they could drive
from the seas their enemy, destroy her
trade, and make profitable business
impossible. Some people would have
to die, and it would be worse than
Boycotting, but war WAS always cruel,
and that war was always easiest which
went straight to the mark and killed
the most in the shortest time, and com
PEELED nations to make peace. The
machinery captured in England was
made in Peoria. His answers gave
the reporter confidence of the truth OF
this statement. F
The clock work of the machines ep-
crates with q sprlng, and after six
days running it liberates hammer
working against q trigger which
strikes percussion cap which ignites
the charge. The charge consists OF
an ounce and half OF the illuminate
of silver and pound and half OF
dynamite, and would destroy the lar
gest block of buildings in the world.
The whole thing weighs forty-five
pounds. Grove said any warfare was
good enough for England, who did
not conduct an honorable warfare her.
self, and could not expect others to do
so. If she did not do justice to Ire
land every English ship would be sent
to the bottom until the people no lon
ger dared to embark in them. Every
government building would be torn
down and system of terrorism be-
gun. He claims there are hundreds
Of these dread machines already COM
pleted, some in France in charge OF
Trustworthy patriots who would use
them quite freely. They had already
greatly worried the British, had de-
stroyed the Manchester pesteffice and
the Victoria docks at a loss of $5,OOO,-
600. Grove has an easy, dlgnitied
manner. He was in no way excited
at this horrible recital. He says the
manufacture Of the machines still goes
forward here. ..I