Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-28
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Tai1Y Ea9le
THE IRISH LEADERSHIP.
STRIKING CONTRAST BETWEEN PAR
NELL AND WILLIAM o'BRtEN.

There Will Soon BE a Change of Leader
ship, as ParDeII's Strength Is Exhaussed
Fervent Patriotism and Cool Daring of
O'Brien-His Stormy Career.
Especial Correspondence
LONDON, Jan. =s-Perhaps Of all the men
now prominent in the politics of imperial
England, no one is so much beloved, SO hated
or 50 hoaored as is William O'Brien. He was
born at Mallow, in the county of Cork, in
october, 1852, and, although always delicate,
he developed very early from his father and
brother the elements of Irish nationality that
of Irish patriots. His early life, because of
his fathers connection with young Ireland"
and his brothers almost reckless adher-
ence to the wild plans Of the Fenianisn of
66 and 81, was strangely and terribly sad T"
But there was in young OBrien a spirit
unquenchable by trouble. He fears nothing.
The English prison, with which he is SO init
mate has no terror for him. His only love
is Ireland, and he is as dead to the baser
feelings of mortalS as, we are led to believe
are the members of the white brethren of
occultisn. And his mission is not very dis
similar from theirs, for he lives only for the
fulfillment of his desire to benefit his unhap-
py countrymen.
One Of the first of William O'Brien's writ
ings was a defense Of Capt. Mackay, one of
the Fenian leaders of the south of Ireland
This letter attracted attention, and then for
time he was employed as q reporter on The
Cork Daily Herald. But O'Brien's destiny
was for far higher place than that of simple
reporter on provincial paper, and in 1876 ne
went to Dublin as a writer on The Freenan's
Journal. From that tins until when, in 1851,
he was invited by Mr.. Parnell TO become
editor OF United ireland, the new organ of
the National league and Parnellite party, he
was nervouSy true 60 his patriotic convic-
tons both by his pen and actions. Mr. 7. 2.
O'Colnor says of him that he was then ''the
very embodiment Of the militant journalist"
As result of O'Brien's defiant writings in
United Ireland it was as a matter of course,
suppressed by Mr. Forster. But it was soon
reborn, and again the clear and defiant words
of O'Brien appeared appealing to his coun-
trymen, by their birthright, 70 resist injus-
tice"
But the inevitable result came. Lord Spen-
Ger, the lord lieutenant, objected to Mr.
OBriens style of Journalism, and then fol-
lowed renewed seizures Of the paper and a
tedious battle between the editor and viceroy
for nearly three years. In the midst Of this
duel vacancy occurred in the representa-
ton of Mailow, O'Briens native town, and
after vigorous contest he was elected mem
Der Of parliament by majority of y above
the vote cast for MAST, the recently appoint
ed attorney general
And now began in earnest W iliam 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 it 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 O'Brien 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 TO allow
him to take the journey, and l 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
~,
Sligo.
The enthusiasm as the steamer left Queens
town was intense. a perfect fotiila accom-
panied Us to the Servia, anchored in the out
side harbor; and when the whistles sounded
least efT,n and the Last adieux were said, the
air was rent by wild and loving shouts OF
''O'Brien" and God speed, and then, as we
steamed towards our western destination, we
+ba I'D Of
that came to wish O'Brien ''bon voyage" and
tho strains of God save Ireland" were
waited TO US along the waters. Ga that voy-
age Mr.. O'Bzien made many friends, and
many passengers were surprised to learn that
1.-The mild msnnered gentleman in glasses
was William OBrien, the Irish agitator.
With his successes in America ON this occa-
sion, well as on the occasion of his second
visit, when he went to Canada 70 aSsail the
lieutenant governor, the American people
are sufficiently conversant
But how was it that this retiring, delicate
man made for himself such strangely strong
hold On the Irish race at home and abroadi
1t was simply by his oneness of character
and action William O'Brien never had
personal object in view during his strangely
cbStructed political career. His only aim has
been chow shall better the condition of Ire
land?' And he has made So few mistakes that
even his enemies honor him alike for this as
well as that they recognize that everything
he does is for a sole purpose. Here is al &C.
ton OF William O'Brisn that is characteristic
Of him:
When the English government asSailed
him and his paper for attacking Cornwall
and French, of the Dublin pestofice, for
unnatural crime, and their case was mega
tived, and then they were obliged themselves
to prosecute their officials, William O'Brien
did not trust the government to seek the
necessary evidence. He employed detectives
himself TO properly unearth the inhunau
crimes. The people Of Ireland knew that
D'Brien was not financially ''stroug enough
to ''see it through" and at once raised a
subscription that amounted to over $4,000
t$30, GOO. When the trials ended and the
Dublin castle aud postofiice officials were inn
prisoued or incaTcerated in lunatic asylums,
there was Rppsrent sum of nearly $4,000
$4,000 to William O'BTien's credit after