The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-21
MICHAEL DAvITT IN CHICAGO.

MICHAEL DAvITT, the father of the
Irish Land League, and the able coun-
sellor and lieutenant of Charles Stew
art Parnell, is now in Chicago, and on
last Saturday, addressed large assem-
bly, in Ogden Grove, in explanation of
the position Of the Irish members in the
British Parliament, with reference to
Home rule and Mr.. Gladstone's policy.
MIR. Davitt is cool headed and brainy
Irishman, and very far removed from
the belligerent, ippetuous, and declam-
atory school of orators, associated with
the Irish agitation at home and abroad
since 1913. He is a man also, with the
courage of his convictions, and having
suffered in English prisons for his pat
riotism, was well prepared to dissent,
as he did emphatically in his address,
from the position of previous speakers,
whose oratory was pervaded by the old
vindictive and warlike spirit against
England, made so familiar in the frothy
outbursts of the Irish-Americans of the
present generation. Mr.. Davitt's ad-
dress was that of statesman, and
worthy of his high character End repu-
tation as wise and judicious friend
of Ireland.
"We in Ireland" said he, ''have to
choose between wasting our energies in
advocating policy of revenge, or re-
tanning them in order to use them in
the work we have undertaken-to Sc
cure Irish independence. And then
added:
The fight for Irish natl onal self govern
ment looks, perhaps, different in Ireland to
what it does in Chicago. 1t is very easy to
establish an Irish republic 5000 miles away
from Ireland by patriotic speakers. assure
you it Is no easy task, though, to do so in
dear old Ireland. We have got to work and
strive, and if necessary suffer, for the full
measure of liberty these people want, and if
by being satisfied with less than what salts
ties you we become recreant to the past his
tory of our country, to the past achievements
OF Irish patriots, then we are quite willing to
bear the blame.
One OF the most encouraging things
about the present agitation for Home
rule in ireland, is the fact that the
movement in the British Parliament
and elsewhere is championed by such
level headed and far seeing men as
Parnell and Davitt, who seek by con-
stitutional methods the self-govern-
ment of Ireland. England will never
consent to the Acknowledgement of the en-
pire, and it is only folly for Ireland to
agitate separation. These new lead
ers are far in the advance of previous
agitators, and having won substantial
results already for their country, by con-
stitutional methods, no doubt they will
continue in their work undismayed by
those who advocate more heroic meth
dds at conveniently safe distance from
the field of action. 81 would rather"
said Mr.. Davitt, twin Irish liberty
without resorting to barbarous war.
If we get national legislature that is
better than that 100000 Irishmen and
and 100000 Englishmen lose their
lives" Such sentiments do honor to
Mr.. Davitt. They recall the best ut
terances of O'Connell, who early pro-
tested against the madness of armed |
insurrection, and advocated to his heed
less countrymen the doctrine of moral
force in the Repeal agitation-ad doctrine
wi ich is now again in ascendency in
Irish affairs, and rapidly becoming