The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-19
mention-Mr. William O'Brien and Mr..

movement, They had never been men,
bers OF any secret society or organization.
Mr.. Brien was newspaper man; Mr..
John Dillon was man who had special
claims to the respect OF the people OF Ire
land, for his father in times OF trouble and
unfaithfulness had been true to his trust
us an Irish representative. He was, as
was also Mr.. William o. Brien, brought up
and educated as gentleman. lie was
aducated for the medical profession. Both
OF these men were ardent men, who be-
leved that they could do something TO
elevate their country and their country
men. They have been called enthusiasts,
sometimes fanatics. Well, my Lords,
they may not have been always
wlsei they may not always have
said or done the most discreet
thing at the most discreet moment; but
they were men unselfishly determined to
do what it became honorable men to do
to help those who needed help. My Lords,
there is room in the world for more en-.
thusass. In this age our habits of life
constitute an existence selfish, dull and
material enough, and these enthusiasts,
who hit us at times out OF ourselves, do
something 10 relieve that general tone OF
selfish materialism which am afraid is
greatly characteristic of our time 1t is
enthusiasts who have sounded the trumpet
in times gone. by, and who will sound il
again in times to come whenever there il
any great cry OF oppression and any great
effort to be made for the relief Of human
suffering.
~ must mention two more names. Mr..
Michael Davitt is the son of peasant in
Mayo. He is man Of conspicuous ability
and OF education. which in difficult cir
cumstances he has procured for himself.
Beyond the resoluteness OF character and
the ability which he has displayed, per-
haps his most remarkable characteristic is
this-that in spite Of all that has occurred
he has no rancor in his disposition. lie
has shown his willingness time after time,
unseliishly and ungrudgingly, to give un-
requited labor where his efforts could help
the oppressed. His recolections Of Ireland
90 long way back, and are sad recollec.
tons. His first recollection is OF himself
as q child five or six years old flung on the
roadside with his father and mother, vic
Tins 10 the results OF the land system. He
remembers the deep wall of his mother,
the anger and fury OF his father, when
with the scanty property that belonged
10 them they were turned out OF their
homes. His next recollection is even
sadder still. lie remembers being led
10y his mothers hand 10 the door Of
the poor-housc in Galway, and his mother
turning with indignation away from the
official when he told her that she could
not be admitted unless she was willing TO
be separated from her child; for, my
Lords, in those days the poor law ia Ire
land was worked not merely rs an instru.
ment for the relief of distress. but os an
instrument for eilecting n degrading pros
| elytism. Mr.. Davitt next finds himself in
n busy manufacturing town in Lancashire,
where he suffered, being still OF tender
years, that physical injury which would
have made it difficult for him to struggle
on had he not possessed the spirit aud
resolution OF an exceptionally brave man.
| Without fear oil contradiction ! say that
the whole record oil his life may be exam
ined. and among those who have como in
contact with him not one viii be found to
say that he has been uniaithiul 10 any
trust or guilty OF any dishonorng action.
Like several Of those whose names have
mentioned, he, too, In 1855, young, enihu-
siastic, joined the Fenian movement lie
avows IL, and dare say he would declare,
IL pressed, that II despair ~ 10 the
usefulness Of constitutional effort were
to seize his soul now, us II pos.
scssed him then, he would become a Fe.
MAN again. Well, he has suffered Tor his
sins. lie desires TO have and rejoices TO
have on this occasion the opportunity OF
explaining upon his oath in the witness
box one imputation which has been cast
upon him, OF complicity--oi possible com.
plicily--in assassination, an imputation
which shall show 10 your Lordship rs /
am instructed, 20 DO absolutely without
foundation. He has suffered many years
imprisonment. To man OF weaker moral
fiber that imprisonment would have meant
ruin; 10 him IL was but an opportunity,
which he nobly embraced, for the forma-
ton OF his character, for expanding his
mind, for strengthening his resolutions
for good, for adding 10 his capacity 10
joined Mr.. Parnell in the Land League
movement
1.-THE last OF these men 10 whom have
10 refer is Mr.. Parnell himself. Mr.. Par.
nell has hereditary claims to the esteem
and gratitude OF the Irish people. Ills
grcai-grandfather, Sir John Pamcll, was
the last Chancellor Of the Excheqner of
the Irish Parliament, and rather than DO d
party 10 the act OF betrayal he surrendered
his office. Ills grandfather. William Par.
nell, was the author OF one OF the noblest
tracts that have ever read. lie, Pro.
tesiant gentleman, knowing his Catholic
icllow-counirymen published in 1907 the
well known historic apology for the Irish
Catholics. when he yindicaled them sue.
ccssiully from tho charge OF bigoiry and
religious persecution, and described them,
rs believe truly, as the only people who,
having been ioully deprived OF political
rights and freedom, had not, upon the 70
sumption OF those rghs, used their
power for the purpose Of per.
secution. Mr.. Panelrs father mar,
riod a lady OF distinguished lineage. The
mother Of Mr.. Charles Parncll was d
daughter OF the American Admiral
Charles Stewart, whose achievements oc
cupy in the annals OF the American navy
the same place as Nelson's victories occn.
py In the history Of the English nation.
Dir. Parueii was educated at Cambridge
served the Office OF High Sheriff for Nick
low, as his father aud grandfather hat
done before him, and In 1875 entered Par
Lament pause for a moment 10 repeal
the question which ] have already put
You sec these men togciher-Mr. Biggr
the Belfast tradcsman; Patrick Egan, III,
Dublin tfadssman; MIR John Dillon, ~,
medical student, Mr.. Thomas Sexton, III,
literary man; Mr.. William O Brien, IN,
Newspaper editor Mr.. Dayitt, the peas
, ants son; aud Mr.. Z. s parnoll, who's
4, history aud lineage have Just given
What brought these men together
What was the tic between them
. What wis the link that bound iogclhe