The Portland daily press., 1883-08-01
IRISH NATIONAL LAND LEAGUE.
Address by Thomas Brennan at Congress
Hall.

The announcement that Thomas Brennan of
Ireland, ex-Secretary OF the Irish Land
League, would address the citizens of Portland
at Congress hall last evening called together
large and appreciative audience.
The meeting was called to order by Gen. j.
j. Lynch, President of the Portland Branch of
the National League, who introduced as
chairman of the meeting His Honor Mayor
Deering. Mr.. Deering after expressing him
self as in thorough sympathy with the strug-
Cling people of ireland, introduced the orator
of the evening, Mr.. Thomas Brennan of Ire
land. Mr.. Brennan is young man of twenty
nine years of age, fair complexion, with light
curly hair. He is tall and scholarly in appear
ance. His manner of speaking is direct and
convincing.
He commenced by saying that the dark
clouds of social ignorance and political ignor-
ance which for centuries had hung over Ire
land were fast disappearing, and the sun of
intelligence was shining. Much however re-
NAMED to be done. The land act of 81 falls
far short of alleviating the evils under which
the people suffer The people are ground
under the iron heel of few titled idlers called
absentee landlords. But the schoolmaster has
been abroad in ireland. The education inti
ated By the League will continue until every
institution not in accord with the peoples will
is swept away.
The platform of the Irish National League
broadened and enlarged by the Philadelphia
convention is one upon which all true friends
of Ireland can stand. But we cannot achieve
success by enthusiasm alone. We must have
practical organization and bide cur time. The
path to freedom is a rugged one. There are
many halts by the way. Our work now should
haf tn fQQf mi al oh ia
world that we know how TO measure our
strength, and our resources, and TO strike at
the right time. The Irish people throughout
the world must be united 10 one great, power
full and compact organization before the de-
sired goal can be reached.
Mr.. Brennan then drew vivid picture OF the
dark and bloody history of English misrule.
A government which can only rule
Ireland by resortlng to fifty-one coercion
acts and suspending her constitution
her incapacity and failare. A nation like
England whose chief instrument is the inform
er is disgrace to civilization. But, said Mr..
Brennan, thanks to God, England is not able
to protect her informers Every honest man
must have breathed freer when the electric
wire flashed the intelligence that James Cary
the informer was dead, and that on the heated
sands of South Africa, lay the accused re
mains of that foul monster loud applause
long continued.)
The servant OF England is the sword, her
diadem the black cap and her throne the gal
lows. After TOO years Ireland is ruled by an
oligarchy which uublushingly countenauces
crime.
The Irish cause is identical to that OF the men
of '76. They claim a right to make their own
laws,to live in their own land and TO enjoy the
same privileges which the men of 76 won. Ev-
cry right of revolution is ours. The speaker said
the Irish race must be educated in the priL CT
pies of self government, and In the history OF
their country. They must think more and
talk less. They must learn the dignity of la
Dor, and the purity of patriotism. With the
assistance Of God, and all true lovers of liber-
ty, with patience and perseverance they will in
the end achieve their freedom.