The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-09
ParnelI in America-Mr. VI. b.
Holmes Error.

Holmes Error.
The following extract from the
Ecening Telegram of yesterday excites
our surprise to no small degree
A number of friends called upon the Irish
delegates. Messrs. Dillon, 0'Brien and Sullivan,
at the Hoffman House today to assure them
that the course they have taken in the present
critical condition OF affairs in the Irish national
cause was approved OF by the great majority of
the residents Of this city who are identified with
the movement for the freedom of Ireland.
Among the early callers was Michael B.
Holmes. State delegate of the Irish National
League Of New Jersey. He had a long talk
with Dillon aud Sullivan, but when / questioned
him as to the purport of his visit he would on ly
say that be had called to assure them that the
position they have taken in the serious differ
ences which have arisen among the representa-
tives Of the Irish party on the other side was
thoroughly understood by the well wishers of
the Irish cause here, and met with general
approval on the part of conservative and non
partisan Nationalist.
We hardly believe Mr.. Holmes did
this thing. We know that if he did,
he took a course for which there is no
possible justification.
Mr.. Holmes has done good service
to the Irish cause; he has been the
wheel-horse of the movement in this
county, and to his interchangeable zeal
are due, in great degree, the hand
some results that have been accom-
plished in this community. We are,
therefore. inclined to accord all Mr.
Holmes sayings and doings in respect
to the Irish movement the friendliest
consideration
But for the action described in the
Telegram we can have no feeling save
one of regret and condemnation. Mr..
Holmes had no authority to speak
for any one but himself. No Irish
body among Mr.. Holmes constituents
A to speak-has taken formal ac-
tion in respect to the controversy be-
tween Mr.. Parnell and the other
prominent men of the Parliamentary
party, and the utmost that Mr.
Holmes could do would be give the
Irish delegates his personal estimate
of the state of public opinion.
Assuming that this was what he
did, we cannot help believing he dis
torted the truth most egregiously-
through error, of course, not intent.
In talking with Irish-Ainericans. we
have not yet met man who did not
believe the removal of Mr.. Parnell
from the leadership of his party meant
disaster to the Irish cause. Opinions
differ as to the degree of his moral
guilt and as to the motives Of his OPP
ponents; but, so far as we can judge,
the feeling in this country is all but
unanimously opposed to an abandon
ment of the great captain who has
won so many fights for his country,
and who is such a political captain as
that country produced before.
The pity of it all is, hat the few
Irish-Americans who, like Mr.. Holmes.
sympathize with the anti-Parnellite
movement will be the only persons to
call on Dillon, O'Brien, O'Connor and
Sullivan. These gentlemen will thus
gather a wholly ERRONEOUS idea OF the
state Of feeling here, and will go home
to Ireland confirmed in their recalci-
trancy by the error into which they
have been led. MI. Parnell's friends
and those who wish well to the Irish
cause ~should.take steps to prevent this
misunderstanding from taking too
firm root.