New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-02
DEFENDING THE IRISH LEADERS
LETTER FROM JAMES REDPA1

fhOn JADiEc Ain.
HE DEFENDS HIsisELP AND ATTACKS MR. FORSTER
TO the Edttor Of The Trfbune
In your London correspondents report Of
Mr. Forsters speech in the House Of Commons it Ia
stated that the Irish ex-secretary asked
If he Pasnelp di.approyed Of this camPaLisn .,
mot Mr. Parnen disown sheridan, Boytcn and Red;
path, all accredited agents OF the Land League ana all
publicly advocating murderp
This is a fair specimen Of the sanderous and cowardy
perverslons and impressions Of truth by which the
English people reused from time to time to fury
against the Irish and their leaders ard their just DO
mands
ParneIl, Dayitt and Dillon issued manifestO-necd-
lessly as thought then, ana sti more strongly think
now-denouncing and repudiating the PbGnix Park
MURDERS Immediately after murders committed.
II seemed TO NE them and It 20 that they
should have dsdaned to be held responsible in any way
for that murder and they had denounced It for the
benefit OF their weskminded English brethren they
ought to have coupled with that derunciatOn
an equally fierce denunciation of the murder OF Ellen
McDonough and Of the boys Of Ballna, done by Mr.
Forsers constabulary who not only not dragged
TO dock and the scaod for their unprovoked crime,
but who protected AGAINST the indictment OF the
coroners Jury By this Secretary Forster himself
Blu T. otherwise, The facts remain on record tSss
Mr.. Parne did denOunce the Phoenix Park murder, ad
that ali of his associates on times innumerabe have de-
nouoced ali agraran crime violence Of every sort IN
Ireland. The irish newspapers Tor the as three yes
have published hundreds Of proofs OF this staemeAt
which no one in Ireland would pretend TO challenge
But when an English Cabinet Minister not ashamed
read an Irish newspaper" Is not surprising that Mr.
century should venture TO this auda'Ous question
When have stated this iact befOre-that Parnel ana
his associates have always denounced murder anu VIC
ence-I have sometimes been asked whether they heu
i'll have known nearly all the public men OF America
for the past thirty years-own large number OF them
ntimatey-and have never yet met more honest and
sincere and self sacrificing band OF men in any part OF
They worthy be ranked in history with the Aner
abotionsts. for purity OF purpose ndelty TO pTl
daGtr fOr
Howeyer National facts are better than any one per-
sons opinions; and | am quite willing that the Irish
leaders whom proud to reckon among my friends.
In 1851 It was the constant complaint Of the English
Government aud the complaint re-echOed In Amer
eg thar The Land League swas the dc iacto
of Irelsnd-tnat Mr. Parnel was It's uncrowned king.
This complaint founded fact-t.e allegation vas
tine. Wen, how many murders were done in Ireland
hat yearl -Four! There were thiry-nine in Phsdel-
pha that year. There four murders every day ia the
about $50 wear Year before last there seventeen
or eighteen murders in Ireland-and that was BAD
not bee able get the official record OF murders In Ire
land FOR $50 but as far rs can ma out from unoicih
sources there were from twelve to nfteen. II tnere
were iftecl murders, then there were Just as many
murders committed in all Ireland as there were COM
mited in the most sanetmonlous ely OF our Aerea-
the head centre SO 70 speak Of vital peythe ssoaP
one tenth Of the population Of Ireland go
Secretary by assassination-in two decades we nave
killed two Presidents by assassination No Irish blood,
either In the American assassns How does that fact
There have been propOrtonately less than one-han
the number Of murders committed IN Ireland during
each OF these last four years than were committed IN
England. ,,
Bnt 20 come To Mr. Forsters second sentence. II Mr.
Boyton ever nd vocaed murder why did not the British
Cioyernment-why did not Mr. Forster himselt-have
hun tried and sentenced to penal serylinde Tor e,
There would have difficulty IN cot ylcllng MN
H. not the fact but the least senbsnce OF possibility,
could have been produced to suggest sneh sen1ehse
Yet Mr.. BoytOn was Internationally released lie haS
sick since and has made no speeches why was 10
not prosecuted Because Mr.. Forster, IN dr heLys
tru uot pDll fe
Sheridan as you know has emphaticaly denied In Tbs
TRIBuSE tnat he ever advocated policy OF murder
Certainly have never advocated murder ana Just 40
certainly have been an agent ana am not now
An agent accredited unaccrcdited. OF the Irish Ma
tonal League OF any Irish organization open or So
the accredited agent IN ireland TOT spec
flied purpose OF THE Newly OAK TRIBUNE, and IL was
because followed out my Instruction. To hnd What
the facts were and send them that unbeknown TO
myself to speak. and unintentonaly on lHE lRiB-
USE's part. have been very good friend, trust OF
the Irish Land League, In the sense OF aiding IL lnde-
pendenty-as ally not an officer:
i have advocated murder. l nave never
thought possible Ireland 10 get her rights by Mill
stc methods-she would certainly ne justified In doing
so II there any reasonable hope OF suecess-butL
have refused and SHAH always Ieluse 10 coIone quo
cruel murders committed by Mr. Forsters ex hrellng
and through the persistent 81 itish policy OF staraon
and yet 10 shed tears over the h1rroe Dut ISss So
no difference In guilt between the OF tne boys ..
Balliua and Ellen McDOnOugh and or Cavendsh ana
Burke My offence hath this extent-no more e., pr.
Forster knows ALSO that enphatcay repeled this IN
famous accusation when 1t was originally made by Sir
William narcourt IN the House OF Commons
masned than the Irish people, there never
more lust and reasonable or holier cause than tho
movement that DR. Parne with rare sagaclty contIois
rlsh leaders afford TO ignore or DEFY their magers
FOR they are sure to triumph, aud that triumph viii DO
their enduring ytndicatiSn. Yours truly
Netc- York, Feb 20, 1883 JAMES REDfAlH.
-------