Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-27
VIEWS OF O'CONNOR.
THE ENVOY PICTURES THE PollTl-
CAL SITUATION IN IRELAND.
Mr.. Parneii, He Thinks. should Retire and
Reconciliation Might FolIow-The
Party's Condition Critical


Richmond Christmas morning on a DELAYED
| train and was met at the Byrd-Street sta
tion by DIR. Page and few other friends
and driven to his residence.
| After breakfasting here Mr. O'Connor at
| tended high mass at st. Peters Cathe-
| dral, and at the conclusion Of the service
he was introduced to a number of promi-
nent citizens, all of whom were very fa-
vorably impressed with him.
Later in the day an informal lunch was
| rendered him ut the Westmoreland Club
| by Mr.. Roosevelt Page. The remainder Of
! the day was spent IN receiving visitors and
| paying calls.
Mr.. O'Connor. accompanied by DR.. PAGE
and ex-Councilman Higgins. yesterday
/ took n short drive around the city, after
which a call was made on Bishop Van de
Vyver. His Reverence received Ar.
| OConnor very cordially and some time
was spent in social conversation between
| the host and his visitors.
From the Bishops house the party re-
paired to the Office of Messrs. Page Car
| ter. and here a number of callers were re-
| ceived.
RECEIvgD ny IRISH CITIZENS.
| In the evening an informal reception was
| rendered Mr.. OConnor by the leading Irish
residents of this city at Cathedral Hall.
| Owing 10 the inclemency Of the weather
| and the fact that no announcement OF the
reception had been made, there was not
, very large crowd present; but forty or
more prominent citizens assembled TO see
| the noted patriot and hear his remarks
| concerning the status of Irish politics.
| DIR. Daniel j. Coleman, president OF the
| McGill Union, introduced Mr.. OCOnnor
and stated that he desired to meet each OF
| the gentlemen present. A hearty hand
| shaking then followed and honest Irish
faces beemed with pleasure as they. made
the acquaintance of the ardent defender
| of home rule.
Mr.. UConnor then arose and addressed
| the meeting. At first he spoke with calm
ness and deiberation. but in the course OF
| his remarks he became considerably
warmed up and exhibited that inborn elo-
| quence and fervor which characterlzes his
| race.
HIRE ON PLEASURE AND POLITICS.
"Idid not come to Richmond" said the
| speaker III beginning bis address, for
| political purpose mainly. l came TO pay
| visit TO nv friend Mn Page which | pro-
missed good many years ago. However,
when several gentlemen met me at the ga
| thedTal and expressed a desire that i
| should meet some citizens interested in the
! Irish cause gladly consented TO do 40.
am very glad to meet so many representa-
! tive men and ] regret that the inclemency
| of the weather has prevented more from
| coming"
THE CAUSE IMMORTAL AND INDEsTEUcTIBLE.
Il do not like" said Mr.. OConnor, lat
| this very critical and serious crisis TO say
much and have already had some cppor-
| tunities to express myself through the
newspapers, bat the condition OF the Irish
| at this time is very perilous and critical. l
| will not say the Irish cause is lost or de
| stroyed. and IL is the abiding faith Of you
! and me and all others that 1t has the ele-
ments of truth and has survived 50 many
| obstacles that it is immortal and inde-
| structible; but do not regard the prospects
/ as bright as they were four or nve weeks ago.
| Then there was not reasoning polucian
/ that did not believe home rule wonld
/ triumph They did not say so naturally;
public politicians are not expected 10 tell
| the truth in regard to the chances Of for
tune. but if you had had an opportunity
| of testing members of the party in secret
| there was scarcely one who could have
| been found that did notsee it."
| ~ observe that MIR. P0rnell declares that
| in his opinion if there was general olec-
! ton Mr.. Gladstone would have very little
| chance of being returned TO Parliament. /
| cannot help thinking that MIR. Parnell,
when he made that observation, must have
asked himself that question. for four or five
weeks ago he said that Mr.. Gladstone's
election was a foregone CONCLUSION,
II wish TO say that If anybody here or
| elsewhere imagines that the decisions at
which MIR. Dillon. Mr.. OBrien. Others. and
myself have arrived were caused 10y per
| sonal feeling hostility, or ambition they do
great injustice TO our motives.
| OUGHT GLADSTONE HAVE INTERVIEWED?
AZ do not wish TO enter at length into
| this painful controversy, but as there are
some who would like TO hear discussion
of the subject / will say that | condemn
and deplore the frequency and sometimes
| the harsh remarks made in regard TO this
unfortunate affair. A short while ago the
| Irish party met and elected Alr; Parneil as
! their leader, and on the same day letter
came from Mr.. Gladstone stating chat
| there would be little or no use 10 think of
winning with HIM as their leader. The
Irish then met and declared that they must
reverse their decision, but the question
arose, Ought Mr.. Gladstone to have inter
vened?' His letter was considered by
some as dictation, but he brought the facts
| of which he was possessed before their
eyes having as be did all the opportunities
| to know what were the feelings OF the
| English constituencies. With Parnell
kept in power, he said the Liberals would
not support us and we would be reduced
to the same thing we had in lS56-vile and
| brutal coercion.
! PERSONAL FEELING MUST YIELD TO THE CON-
MON CAUSE.
! "Gentlemen,n said the speaker 81 can
not recognize this as dictation-l can only
| see it as the tulfilment of sacred duty.
| | think it most unfortunate that the IRISH
members should have given their opinions
before that letter from Gladstone. Its
1 II ffIT
| tate. and has been the cause of the de-
| plorable condition in Ireland, for ii was
| something like a threat. and cannot
wonder that many resented II as dlcta-
| ton and took sides with Parnell. But We
| should overcome personal feelings aud go
over to the party for Ireland"
pARNELL's SUPREMACY MEANS DEFEAr.
Mr.. OConnor, in his illusions TO Par
nell. used no harsh language whatever,
| and said that he was against him because
he thought he could not lead the party TO
| victory. "IfIreland can win home rule
with Parnell, in Gods name let him lead
u.s." said he.
"His rule is dangerous" continued Mr..
| OConnor, "because we must win the next
| election with the Liberal party We shall
refuse home rule from none and accept It
| from any. If Mr.. Parnell remains there
will be a large Tory majority. and we now
see before us vista of terrible suffering
for Ireland, and seeing this it has been our
duty to warn the people of the result II
they follow him.
TEE MISSION OF THE ENJOYS PARALYZED.
"There is one point more wish TO speak
Of" added the distinguished lrishman
"Messrs. Dillon and O'Brien came 70
America mainly in the interest of the
eyicted tenants who are victims TO the
Irish cause because they risked their lives
for Ireland when the leaders told them 1t
was necessary. To make their promises
good the Irish ENJOYS cameto this country
and they were making q very successful
tour here, but now; gentlemen the ir,h
mission IL paralyzed." e.,
In concluding. Mr.. 0'Connor said: II
pray most fervently that We may be able
10 renew our purpose. aud forthat reason
hone that you will JOIN with me in the
w;sh that Mr. Parnell and Mr.. O'Bren
NAV make some reunion for the sake OF
harmony" lApplause.]
MT VConnor is man Of unusual elo-
quence and power aud his audience sat be-
fore him listening with eager interest TO
| cot - fror, the elOouent orator. he