Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-11

Rev. Father ]. D. Flannery, of St. An
thongs Catholic church, Davenport, who
has just returned from tour in Ireland.
and having submitted to an interview
with representative of the Davenport
Democrats Gazette. furnishes some infor>
nation of great interest pertaining to the
country and people there now, as CLEANED
from his actual observations. When
asked if his tour of the Emerald Isle was
extensive, Father Flannery-who by the
way, is verv we'll known and much ad
mired by the Catholics of this city-re-
piled;
Eyes, | went all over Ireland north to
SOUTH east to west. 1t is my native land,
and desired to have full view of it and
satisfy myself as to the country and the
people. If | have unfair prejudices, |
would be glad to have them removed
That was my feeling when landed at
Queenstown"
Were your prejudi2es removed?"
NO, they were not; they were intensi.
fed so far as governmental dealings with
Ireland are concerned, and my sympathy
and sorrow for the people increased. The
condition varies-wOrse in some sections
than in others, bat it is bad nearly every>
where. To go through that country and
see the rootless houses and brick and
stone-n0 frames in Ireland-see the un-
cultivated lands. and yet the poor peo-
pie starving for want of work and
| wages. Saw more soldiers reminded NE
OF war times here-companies going on
trains here and there; can't travel any
distance without meeting carload of
| soldiers being FASTENED to some place.
| Why, was at Queenstown when two re-
ceiving ships came in from India, and
landed TWO regiments of soldiers. You
see these armed men everywhere, yet
everything is quite and peaceable as ever
| you saw it here. | talked with the peo-
pie wherever | travelled | tell YOU they
are united and they are more hopeful
than ever. think the Irish party is the
best disciplined party in the world. They
work together as one man, See how they
are pouring out money for Parnell in his
Times libel suit. When | left Dublin il
had reached $4,000, which is $4,000
This Is done cheerfully." The crops in
ireland have good deal to do with The
condition of the people of Ireland, OF
course-how are tue crops this year2'
Good, unusually good. Heavy yield.
of wheat, barley, rye, potatoes and other
vegetables. But. of course, nearly al
the lands from which tenants have beer
evicted are uncultivated-the landlords
have them; and the people won't WORK
for such landlords. They can't Re1
keep their wages for back rent So al
these lands. and they aggregate man,
thousands of acres, yield nothing. They
are sheep walks"
But doesn't the land bill help then
out any,"
Yes, it helps them out some, but still
it is so slow. We don't know anythin!
about the system of taxation in Ireland
Why, they tax the lands to death. 1t i
Infamous. They make the people pa
for the maintenance of the soldiers an
constables. But / saw John Dillon.
heard him make a speech bat two day
after he was out of jail. He was cast i
jail for speech and here he was maxim
another one to an immense assembling
again. 1t was on the land questio
mainly. He was pale and attenuated, i
poor health from his confinement, but
grew very earnest and eloquent. M
release was unconditional, he cried i
triumph. If it was a crime to advocat
the rights of the people, to plead in the
behalf, to do all in my power to with
draw them from secret combinations;
il is crime to denounce murder, then
am most vicious criminal he said.
was introduced to him, but had no or
pOrtunity COR conversation. but he CAV
me very warm greeting as an Amer
can. But what fearless speaker
these advocates of home rule ar,
Prison punishment has no terrors fC
them. While | was in Dublin, tw
priests were jailed for advocating hon
rule-sentenced for six weeks But f
Ireland is quiet as the grave and every
where there are soldiers and police
stalking about with nothing to d
Every little village has its barracks
soldiers. These men grow over vigila
because they know they are leading
lazy life, and if any excuse for an ARE
Can be invented they make it. TIT
want something to do, They stir L
difficulties. And when they make an a
rest they do ii brutaly; pull and jerk L
prisoner, tear his clothes almost off hi
shove him along with their mnskets, al
frequently beat him. | said to a sodi
who was pushing prisoner along wi
his musket, that Is a dreadful thingr
is not dreadful; what is in it that is DIRE
full? be replied. Thus they serve the pc
pile
Father Flannery told of meeting
governor of Kilmsinham jail and said
HE told me all about the prison WHIT
Parnell and the rest of the patriots ba
been confined. Told me of his tr0ubl
that he had been made nearly blind rea
ing letters to and from prisoners. for
pass through his hands $50 day oftt
He spoke of the Irish 'disturbers, as
called them, and said, you America
send dollars and dynamite over here
keep the trouble boiling"
Eyes, we have given many dollar
- Ireland, but the only dynamite is the {
Mantle of public opinion. with which
will hold you up before the world a
r blast you, ! replied. He was gent
J man in demeanor, spoke his own ser
ments fully, and permitted me to ut
mine, which be would not have done
not been an American"
But the Irish are more hopeful" $
Father Flannery.