Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-28


reborn. and again the clear and defiant words
Of OBrien appeared appealing to his eoun-
trymen, by their birthright, to resist injus-
tice."
But the inevitable result came Lord Spen-
Ger, the lord lieutenant, objected to Mr..
O'Bren's style Of journalism, and then fol-
lowed renewed seizures of the paper and q
tedious battle between the editor and viceroy
for nearly three years. In the midst OF this
duel a vacancy occurred in the representa-
ton of Mallow, O'Brien's native town, and
after a vigorous contest he was elected mein
Der Of parliament by majority of y above
the vote cast for Naist, the recently appoint
ed attorney general.
And no. began in earnest William O'Brien's
political history In the very first session Of
parliament after his election he told the
speaker that Justice, sir, We do not expect
at your hands; but we shall force 1t from
you" In these words may be read the mans
purpose and destiny. Through all the stormy
times OF the crimes acts and other coercion
laws William OBrien has been true to that
memorable expression.
Notwithstanding the condition OF his health,
which was now rapidly telling on him. he de-
cided to accept the invitation TO attend the
National League convention in Chicago, in
August, 1885. and after some consultation
among his colleagues it was agreed 10 allow
him 10 take the journey, and | WAS lucky
enough To be one of those who accompanied
him from Queenstown, together with john
Redmond, member of parliament for Wex-
ford, and John Deasy, then member Of par
lament for Cork city, now member for South
Sligo
The enthusiasm as the steamer left Queens
town was intense. A perfect fotilla accom-
panied Us to the Servia, anchored in the out
side harbor; and when the whistles sounded
cast off, and the last adieux were said, the
air was rent by wild and loving shouts Of
"OBrien" and God speed, f." and then, as we
steamed towards our western destination, we
could hear the faint huzzas of the delegations
that came to wish o Brien bon voyage" and
the strains of God save Ireland" were
WAITED to us along the waters On that voy
age Mr.. O'Bren made many friends, and
many passengers were surprised to learn that
1.-THE mild hammered gentleman in glasses"
was William o Brien, the Irish agitator
With his successes In America on this coca
sion, as well on the occasion OF his second
visit, when he went to Canada to sail the
lieutenant governor. the American people
are sufficiently couversant.
But how was it that this retiring delicate
man made for himself such strangely strong
hold on the Irish race at home and abroad
1t was simply by his oneness of character
and action William O'Bren never had a
personal object in view during his strangely
DISTRACTED political career. His only aim has
been how shall better the condition of Ire
landf' And he has made 50 few mistakes that
even his enemies honor him alike for this as
well as that they recognize that everything
he does is for sole purpose, Here is an ac-
ton OF William O. Brien that is characteristic
of him:
When the English government assailed
him and his paper for attacking Cornwall
and French, of the Dublin postofIice, for
unnatural crime, and their case was mega
tived, and then they were Obliged themselves
to prosecute their officials, William OBrien
did not trust the government to seek the
necessary evidence. He employed detectives
himself to properly unearth the inhumau
crimes The people of Ireland knew that
O'Brien wes not financially strong enough"
to see it through" and at once raised a
subscription that amounted to over 10000
$50 600 When the trials ended and the
Dublin castle and postoffice officials were i'm
prisoned or incarcerated in lunatic asylums,
there was apparent sum of nearly gee
$4,000 to William O'Brien's credit, after
paying all the expenses of the trial He
asked the auditors what was to be done with
this money, and they replied: 1T is yours,
Mr. O'Brien, to do as you please with"
Whereupon this great man. then himself in
need Of money said: II have not come into
the world to beg This money was sub
scribed TO benefit Ireland by purifying Dub
lin castle shall benefit some poor by it"
Aud then he asked for blank check, and
ance in favor of the poor of Mallow, his
native town. But such instances Of the mag
nanimity Of his character could be cited by
the score
Just now O'Brien is in position that
needs the drawing Of attention to him He
is in prison, But the hearts OF the people,
simple and learned, political and clerical, Of
ireland are directed to- ards him The Brit
ish parliament opens on Jan Is The gentle
man of the black rod" will, rs usual, summon
the commoners to hear the queens speech
read. and then will begin the tumuit OF legis-
iating for the eiapire The same routine will
mark the opening stages There will b
the usual tedious debate on her gracIops
mAjestys speech, and many a score will b
made or point scored by the different parties
IS the days wear on But it is more than
probable that in this coming session there
will happen something more than ordinary.
do not refer to the chances. and they arc
strong, of a change of government The ex-
traordlnary points rather in the direction Of
a change in the leadership of the Irish party
When this happens. aud it is almost certain,
1t may mean change In the attitude Of the
Irish party Mr. Parneil's direction will al
ways be felt. His advice every member Of
the party looks for and heeds But when no
resumes his seat only as a unit. a..3 not as
the leader, the spirit Of ParnelI-so long ap-
parent In them-will have gone from the
united actions Of the Irish party, and in its
place will be apparent ouly the spirit of his
successor The hand, or rather the mind, Of
1.-THE man of iron and ice as | once heard
Mr.. Parnel called, may give place to the
nervously intrepid character OF William
O'Brieu, or perhaps to the logical tempera-
ment Of Justin Mccarthy in the attitude Of
the party.
II is almost certain that during the next
few months some other well known Irish
patriot will be asked to take his place
Who that other will be no one co1versant
with current Irish politics can mistake. And
am As positive as am Of Mr.. Parnells ex-
traordinary generalship and potency that
William O'Brien will be his successor. And
what q difference between the menl The one
. general and statesman by instinct; uncon-
scious Of danger when conscious of the direc-
ton In which he is leading his forces; deter
mined only then. This is Parnen. O'Brien
b . pltriot born.
And it may not be out Of place here to put
the personal characteristics Of the two men
side by side. And dissimilar as they seem to
be outwardly, yet they will be seen to be
rather similar. have known Mr.. Parnell
to nurse an injured dog to health have
seen William O Brien cry over THE misery Of
an evicted tenant. have seem Parnell. in
his place in the house OF commons, stand
coolly defiant beneath q torrent Of opposi-
ton abuse; and have seen O'Brien as cool
under the scathing criticisms Of New Yorks
labor chiefs l was present wh.n Mr.. Par
nell resented the raising Of tribute for him.
saw William o Brien-then sorely in need
refuse to accept E, ooo $40, 600. balance Of
the money raised to defray his expenses in
prosecuting the Castle officials and send il
70 the poor Of his native town, Nallow. But
sneh similar traits could multiply into hun.