Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-20
SENATOR JONES' RETURN.
A Native Irishman's Views Upon Ire
lands Condition.

tdHu COnulJlOn.
Ne1o York Special Philddelphia Press, 18th.
Senator Jones, of Florida, arrived here
yesterday on the steamer Alaska from
Liverpool. The Senator has been in Ire
land, England and France for the mast
two months, passing the greater part of
his time abroad in Ireland, where he was
born. Senator Jones came to this cOun-
Try many years ago, poor, uneducated,
triendless lad. He was a carpenter bV
trade, and settled in Florida, where. by
hard work and earnest study, he became
one OF the foremost lawyers in the State.
and was elected to the United States Sem
ate. AS a constitutional lawyer, Mr..
Jones now occupies a pre-eminent DOsi-
tion, and he has few equals in the Ma
tional Legislature as an orator and de-
batter.
The Senator was born in BalbriggaR.
twelve miles from Dublin, and upon re-
visiting his native town he was presented
with an address of welcome by the Com
mlssioners of the city, and was also en-
tertained by the Lord Mayor of Dublin at
banquet in the Mansion House on the
same evening that Lord WOlseley was re-
ceiyed at the Pavilion by the British au-
thorities of the capital of Ireland. Senator
Jones told the Press correspondent this
evening that his visit to the old country
was of the pleasantest description.
'tDid you travel extensively through
IrelandW he was asked. "What truth is
there in the reports of extreme suffering
among the natives?"
81 did not attempt to do Ireland" said
the Senator; 'but in Dublin l heard a
great deal from responsible sources of the
condition of the people of the country. A
few days before the death of Father Burke
enc of the most eloquent and gifted men
in the kingdom, he said, in a sermon; Il
heard that 5000 children We're dying in
the west of Ireland of starvation, This
statement made such an impression upon
me that | alluded to it in a speech l deliy-
cred at the banquet given me by the Nav
or OF Dublin. From what / was able to
learn, think that the condition of the
tenant farmers in Ireland is improving.
This is not due to emigration, but to the
concessions that have been forced from
landlords by agitation Of the land ques-.
ton.
''Ireland is overrun by British troons
and constabulary, but, so far as [ could
observe, the laws are enforced and peace
and order prevail. Possibly if armed
force was not continually present, there
might be trouble, but | do not think the
idea of open resistance to the powers that
be is entertained by any considerable
number OF the people. | do not think the
masses of the Irish people contemplate
complete separation from the Crown, but
that they earnestly desire local self-gov-
ernment cannot be gainsaid."
neIl?'' '-'''''' - o.
''As Forster, ex-Secretary for Ireland.
said, Parnell is the uncrowned King Of
the Irish people, !" was the Senator's reply.
'He is in every sense of the term a consfi-
tutlonal agitator. He is man of in
domitable pluck and perseverance. Cool.
practical and talented, nothing would
please the British authorities more than
that Parnell should transgress the laws
and become liable to the punishment in
hlcted upon other members of Parliament
who have oyerstepped legal bounds in the
excess of their patriotic zeal. Parnel.
however, hews to the line, and he is un-
ceaslng in his attacks upon the Irish
policy of the British Government"
Nv hat effect has the recent action of
the Pope, discountenancing Irish agita-
tlOn against British rule in Ireland. had
upon Parnell and his followers Y'
"lt has unquestionably strengthened
them. One of the most encouraging signs
of the present struggle to secure reforms
in Ireland is the manner in which the
people, without distinction of religion.
are working together for a common pur
pose. Catholics and PrOtestants alike are
laboring to secure home rule for Ireland.
The people are united on this subject. and
DEGREES from Rome cannot abate the popu
lar movement. What the final outcome
of the agitation will be, no one can tell.
but progress has already been made, and
have no doubt that great reforms will
ultimately be accomplished, even if all
that is desired does not come to pass"