The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-03
BLAINE AND THE IRISH.

McSweeney's Course in Supporting CIeve-
land Criticised by FelIow-suspect,
Philadelphia Press
Il. j. Hoare, a prominent member of the Irish
Land League, who imprisoned in the old
country as suspect for nearly twelve months,
was seen yesterday in this city, relative to the
speeches now being made by Daniel McSweeney
denouncing Mr.. Blaine's attitude toward the
Irish American citizens imprisoned in Irish
prisons under the coercion act in 1881 and 1882
Mr. Hosre took an active part in the agitations
of the Land League, and published some tir:e
ago volume on the imprisonment of the
poets, under the title of 1.-THE Legion of Honor"
1t was very highly approved by the leading pa
pers in Ireland of the National party.
Il think that Mr.. McSweeney is pursuing an
entirely unjustifable course in denouncing Mr..
Blaine's policy towards the Irish American sus-
poets" said Mr. Hoare, his dark eyes sparkling.
Other Irishmen of far greater renown, he CON
tinued, "such as Mr.. Patrick Egan president of
the Irish National League of America and Mr..
Alexander Sullivan, formerly president of the
same oody, men who understand thoroughly the
circumstances of the coercion act and the arrest
of lrishmen at that time, are unhesitatingy for
Mr.. Blaine Mr.. McSwceney stands almost
alone.
He formerly lived in this country, and was a
naturazed American citizen. About seven
years ago he returned to Ireland. and settled
down on a farm, buying it outright. During the
agitation in 1880 and 1881. he received consider
able notice for the part he took in Irish affairs,
and III cOnseq quence, was arrested by the En-
glIsh government along with many others, when
the coercion act went into force. There were
some other naturalized Americans in the num-
Der. The fact that naturalized American citi-
zens were held prisoners in foreign country for
n ia
notice of the American government Mr.. Blaine,
rs the Secretary of State, was the proper per
son to act He did so. He sentletters to ~ she
consuls in Ireland who had communicated will
him, instructing them to do all they could to i
cure the immediate trial and early release
those prisoners who We're American citizen.
The consus found that trials were not providtd
for under the coercion act. They were not adj
missible Why this act was | will explain
Let me first say, though, that action was taken
in behalf of the prisoners by Mr.. Blaine. with all
the authority that this government gave him.
The British government released them by de-
grees, and when the coercion act went out of
force, all had been discharged. Mr. McSweeney
returned to his farm and there lived. with
intention of coming here until he was cabled
for as | believe by Chairman Barnum, of the
Democratic national committee. to stmap tine
country for Cleveland, and try to prejudice the
Irish Americans against Blaine
Il believe that Mr.. Blaine did everything that
could be done by any officer of the United
lean consus in Ireland directing them to investi-
gate every case of an imprisoned American citi-
zen, and to use their best efforts to bring the
case to favorable issue. The result was that
every Irish American citizen could have walked
out of prison if he would then return to the
United States Mr. McSweeney was offered
800 and his release by the British government
on condition of his leaving Ireland This he de-
clned to do, and that was the reason why he
had to remain. Nothing more could be done by
the American government 1t had no power TO
demand an absolutely unconditional release"
What was the treatment given to the pris
onersl"
well. there has been a great deal Of of mis-
representation on that point Mr. McSweeney
alleges that IL was cruel and barbarouS | know
better l was in prison for nearly twelve
months and can speak with as much knowl
ledge of the circumstances he The
British government did not dare to iuflict cruel
ties upon the suspects in prison. They were
treated very well, and allowed to associate
together, to furnish their cells in whatever way
they pleased, and to procure whatever kind of
food they could afford to purchase. Mr. Par
nell, Mr. Dillon and Father Sheehy were
imprisoned from seven to eleven months,
scathed and nothing the worse for their
long Incarceration Mr., McSweeuey, who
received precisely the same treatment as these
distinguished men, is reported to have said that
his delicate constitution, matured on the hardy
soil of California, was undermined by his impris-
onment that in fact, he lay routing in prison
through the American governments Indifference.
Now, | want to say right here that if Mr. Nc
Sweeney has really said such things he has
either been very sparing of the truth else has
drawn very largely upon his Imagination. Why,
whenever suspect had important business to
transact he was allowed to leave prison, Civ
ing promise TO return within specified tme.
Isn't it well known that MIR. Parnell himself was
permitted to 90 to Paris 10 attend a sisters
fuueralT To call this kind of imprisonment rot
ting in prison is neither truthful nor honest
''Mr. McSweeney is in strange company for an
lrishman when he consorts with those who sup
port Mr. Cleveland, the candidate of the London
Times, that once called the Irish priesthood sur
pliced ruffians: of the New York Herald, which
rdiculed and abused Mr. Parnell and Mr.. Dillon
when they came to this country in 1879 to col
lect money TO save the starving peasantry of tho
west of Ireland; of the New York Times, owned
by an Englishman, who hopes that English gold
can corrupt American patriotism as it has sought
to corrupt the patriotism Of every country
which English cupidity has had designs. Mr..
McSweeney is indeed in strange company, and
he is acting unwisely in making himself the tool
of the Democratic managers in an open con-
spiracy to wrOngfully prejudice Irish American
voters