Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-07-10
HE DEFENDS THE CLAN.
Davitt Says the Members are Not
Banded for Murder.
COMPARED TO THE GOLDEN CLUB.
Holding that the League and the Brother
hood Work for the Same Grand
Cause-Tribute to Alexander
Sullt n h PheL4x
Park Murder.

LONDON, July 2.-Michael Davitt was
examined before the Parnell commits
sion to-day. Mr.. Davitt declared there
was no truth in the account given by
LeCaron before the commission con-
corning proposals of John Dewey being
submitted to Mr.. Parnell. Mr.. Parnell
had nothing to do with witness visit to
America in 1873. Witness had intended
to make another visit to America on a
lecturing tour, in order to raise money
to help the agrarian movement.
Mr.. Davitt stated that while in Amer
na-Gael, at which he explained the OBJ
iects of the Land League and tried to
win the Clan-na-Gael to its support.
The Clan-naGael, he said, included
some of the best Irishmen in
America. It was no more q murder
club than was the Carlton Club,
of London. There was no alliance be-
tween the Clan Gael and the League
in Ire and. The League movement IN
America won the support of ali the
Irish in America to Mr.. Parnell. Mr..
Davitt said he never met a better man
as phianthropist and Christian than
Patrick Ford. He was very sorry that
for few months after the League
was established Mr.. Ford open
ly advocated the use of dyna-
mite. Witness wrote to him expostu-
lating against his endorsement of
such a line of action, and ultimately
Mr.. Ford returned to the policy adopt
ed by Mr.. ParnelPs followers, and now
honestly advocates constitutional agita-
ton. Witness said he himself was OPP
posed to the use of dynamite, because
~,
war are. He was not opposed to
thereto there was a reason
abe chance of success. The
League did not provide for the circula-
ton of the Irish World in Ireland. Mr..
Ford sent copies over through the
'spresd the light fund" and witness
paid the postage. The League did not
circulate the letter of John Dewey on q
new departure, extracts of which were
quoted by Atty.-Gen. Webster, counsel
tor the Times.
Mr.. Davitt said he had known Alex
ander Sullivan since 1873, and had the
highest opinion of his ability as a law
yer, bis character as a citizen and his
honor as a man. He didn't believe
him to be capable of any dishonorable
act. Witness returned to Ireland
from America in December, 1880.
He had then framed and issued
Il circular to the Irish people, and had
delivered thirty speeches denouncing
outrages. He believed outrages were
due to the agitat on Of local agrarian
bodies, composed chiefly of sons of
small tenant farmers. When witness
was released from prison on
May 6, 1882, Mr. Parnell and Mr..
kilton had informed him that they
were hopeful Of a change in the govern
ment's policy. Witness was glad that
there was prospect of agitation ceas-
ing. He disliked agitation and would
willingly abandon it tomorrow if he
saw some justice done TO Ireland. He
could not abandon it otherwise.
In reference to the Phoenix Park
murders, Mr.. Davitt said: "Mr. Parnell
came to me on the Sunday following the
dav of the murders, utterly broken
down at the news. He said, 'Davitt, l
Will send my resignation to Cork to-
night. | refuse to stay in the movement
when irresponsible men who know
nothing can come behind our backs
and perpetrate such deeds. st took
all my influence" said the witness, 'to
dissuade him from resigning. We i'm
mediately had circulated throughout
Ireland manifesto condemniny the
murders. There was absolutely no
ground for the suggestion that one OF
any OF the colleagues were in any way
PRIV TO the crimes"