Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
PARNELL'S DEFEAT |.
Interviewed on the Recent Election
- IN North Kilkenny.
THE PRIESTS SEVERELY CONDEMNED.
his Views on the Prospects of Liberals and
COnservatives-TimO ID. Sullivan,
ReturnedEnvoy, Talks on the
Matter.

m Dee 28-In an interview be

DUBLIN, Dee. 26.-In an interview be-
fore his departure from this city Mr..
Parnell said: Being aware of the con-
ditions we had tO-fghtz in Kilkenny,
knew that the carrying of the-seat was
almost hopeless. never expected to
win. 'ass---.-.--7a.l--.-asasss-s
But the majority" was suggested,
was even greater than the most con-
fdent of your- opponents hoped for.
You made allusion to influences used
unfairly against Mr, Scully."
YES, said M. Parnell, ''theconduct
of the priests almost surpasses belief.
The pressure brought to bear upon the
masses of the people who would have
voted for us. had they been left to exer-
else their own Judgment without in
timidation was undreamed of. Was 1t
kind for priest to hold over his flock
threats of spiritual penalties? 1t is, a
serious matter. certainly. Interference
with the liberty OF an elector can not be
tolerated. This is not all. Cases occurred
of where there is the fullest proof that
threats Of personal violence were used
Had another Sunday elapsed before the
voting it is not improbable that ourc
votes would have been diminished. 1t
is a remarkable and an encouraging
fact that in the districts where the peo-
pie were not cocrced by the priests we,
polled 30 per cent. Of the votes. L.
wished to penetrate the district around
Castle Conner, but was prevented by the
fear of bloodshed."
You may have observed that Mr..
Mccarthy has been saying that North
Kilkenny was one of the worst districts
for the anti-Parnellites to fight.
1t is one of the very worst for US, -
Mr.. Parnell declared. ''The southern
division has been better. The priests
led the people in North Kilkenny to the
7 polls like sheep. In many cases where
they could not cOeree the people they
prevented their voting. If a petition
were lodged it could be backed with
such evidence to prove undue influence
as to make result in our favor certain.
Mr. Scully is a strong Catholic but he
sees clearly that if the priests are per
mitted similarly to influence the coming
elections, Ireland will be lost. The
general election is not far distant and
shall push forward preparations for it. y
What views do you hold OF the pros
poets of the different parties?"
''Should a dissolution occur soon, Mr..
Gladstone viii have very little chance
of returning to power. AS to my posi-
ton, time is on my side. | purpose
leaving Kingston by tO-nights mail.
may be detained in London for a few
! days on matters concerning the reor-
ganization OF the party. expect on
Monday to start for France to meet Mr..
. O'Brien. On my return from France
shall take few days rest / intend TO
resume the campaign in Ireland early
in the year, opening at Limerick. From
there go to Ennis, Waterford and its
centers."
Mr.. Parnen went aboard the mail
boat at Kingston at 1880 o'clock last
evening. There was no demonstration
at his departure. 3 3
Timothy ID. Sullivan, one of the Irish
ENJOYS who returned from the United
States, arrived in Cork yesterday and
received an address from the Mccarthy
tie committee. In reply he said that
when he left Ireland he had left
leader in whose sagacity, good temper,
reticence and self-restraint all had con-
hdence. He did not recognize these
qualities in Mr.. Parnel now. All the
bright hopes the delegates had had
when they left for the United States
had been changed because one man had
gone wrong. A vast majority of intel
ligent Americans were against Parnell.
Mr.. Sullivan urged Irishmen not to
look on the question as one of loyalty
to a man. Mr.. O'Brien had started for
France, fondly believing that he could
heal the breach and reunite the Irish
party. He wished Mr.. O'Brien success,
but was firmly convinced that the action
taken against Parnell was the proper
course to be taken in the matter, and
he believed history would commend the
Irishmen for what they had done.