Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-01

living. and will be heartily welcomed
wherever he may 60 while visiting in
this country.
He was born about forty-tive years
ago, at Irishtown, Mayo county, Ire,
land. where his father titled the soil as
a member OF the peasant farming class.
His father was evicted for non.payment
of rent in lS47, and soon after died
discouraged, broken-hearted man. The
distressing experiences Of the family
previous and subsequent to eviction
were the cause from which resulted
those intense political convictions
which have made Michael Davitt con-
tinuously work or suffer for his I'M
| fortunate country.
After the death of the head Of the
household, the widow Davitt and her
family removed to England, where
Michael was employed in a factory.
While engaged in his work he lost his
| right arm by an accident. The Fenian
conspiracy began in 1865. Davitt was
one Of the most energetic members. On
| May IA, 1870, be was arrested in Lon
don charged with sending arms to the
Fenians "to depose the Queen and to
levy war against her," lie was con-
| yicted in the subsequent trial and SEN
fenced to fifteen years. penal servitude.
| After about eight years Imprisonment
he was released with several fellow
| countrymen on a ticket Of leave, the
conditions of which, Of course, expired
with the expiration Of his sentence.
Iayitt organized the first national
land league in 1879. His programme
consisted mainly Of fixity of tenure,
fair rents, and the establishment OF
peasant proprietary. He was arrested
under the administration of the Earl
of Beaconsfeld, but the prosecution
dropped soon after the next change
of Ministry. Subsequently he was
again arrested, in the period OF the
| first Gladstone Government, charged
with Indictment to crime" The
period Of his ticket Of leave had
not expired, and he was sent
back to Portland prison, where no was
confined a year and a half. Resuming
his work of agitation upon his release,
he was once more put in prison, this
latest time in Ireland. lie was incar-
cerated four months. The magnitude
| of Dayitt's work for the Land League Is
suggested in the following figures The
organization had central office in Dub
lin and about fifteen hundred local
branches. More than million dollars
were sent to its aid from America. 1t
was suppressed, but may be said to re-
exist in the National League.
Davitt was elected as member Of Par
lament for Meath while in Portland
prison the second time. He declined
the seat, preferring to do his part in
maintaining an agitation on the subject
of various Irish grievances, the results
of which are seen in the strength Of Irish
national representation in the House OF
Commons, and the prominence Of home.
rule in the councils of the greatest Eng
Esh statesman and his followers. Pos
sibly Mr.. Davitt's influence is weaken
ed rather than strengthened by his ad-
hereuce to the theory Of Henry George
in regard to the naturalization Of land.
lie was in this county the second time
in 1882.
Dayitt has a striking personal ap-
pearance. His forehead is intellectual,
and every feature Of his countenance
shows great force Of character and self
control. lie is an orator with none OF
the arts of the orator and, albeit an
Irishman, rarely uses humorous illus
trations. Mr.. Davitt talks not to in
cite, but to convince. lie supports
himself by writing for the press and
doing other literary work.