Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-10-22
IT WAS PARNELL'S WISH.
Favored His Own Retirement from the
Irish Leadership.

Favored His Own Retirement from the
Irish Leadership.
LONDON, Oct let has been init
mated for some days past that William
O'Brien, member of Parliament tor
Northeast Cork, was preparing a state
ment or manifesto IN reply to the re-
cent Parnellite defances which have
been scattered right and left by the
leaders of that party. Mr.. OBren,s
statement is given to the public to-day.
He writes
have waited since the funeral, hoping
that the late Nh ParnelfS leading support
ers, knowing my relations with MI. Par
neil at BOulOgne, would have the manllneSs
to dlSaSsOciata themselves from the dIa-
bOlical charges circulated broadcast by
their special organ, that Mr.. Dillon and
myself bounded their leader to death.
Now are the councils OF peace mao
iy and finally cast to the winds;
now have the foulest insinuationS as
to our treatment Of Mr.. Parnell become
part OF the. machinery of the dissensIon-
mongerS without word OF reputation or
rebuke from the men who know the
charges to be the fouleSt. most ungratetul
and Ubiquitous ever leyeled at an irish
Nationalist. My cOuntrymen viii! agree
with me that am absolved from all O0ll-
SdtlOuS Oh silence III REGARD W luC COuICA-
enceS at EOulOgne.
The unalterable basis of all communi-
cations with Mr.. Parnel at BOulogne was,
first and last, his retirement from the
leadership. [ broke off communication
with him after the first interview, until |
was informed by his chief lieutenant that
he would entertain the proposal. invite
ParnclPs representatives to publish every
document concerning the BOulogne ne
gOtiations. We kept three objects always
in view. First, that it was impossible thaG
Mr.. Parneil could continue as chairman OF
the parliamentary committee; secondly, 70
soften the memory OF MI Parnell'S fault
by every possible palliative and evidence
OF good will that his devoted colleagues
could suggest; thirdly, to avert the caiam-
tiles which we keenly felt to be irrepara-
BILE from any disruption Of the forces.
We were fully persuaded that these OBJ
jects would have been attained had the
terms we suggested been loyalty accepted,
and the party would then have been re-
united under the leadership Of Mr.. McCar
thy, leaving Mr.. Parnell an honorable
place in IRISH public life. Mr.. Parnells
four most Influential lieutenants protested
themselves to be as eager as ourselves to
secure Mr.. Parnell's withdrawal, either on
these terms Or by reunion under the lead
ership of MI. Dillon. These same men are
now silent, whilst their organ charges me
with plotting to get rid of Mr.. Parnell.
IneY themselves pressed me 10 consent W
MIR. ParnelPS first proposition, which was
that he should retire in favor Of myself,
and at the close Of the negotiations they re-
peated their conviction that it would have
solved the difficulty had l consented. Mr..
ParnelPs own feelings as 10 my treatment
of him are explained in the following let
ter, written to me on the day we broke Off
negotiations:
FEBRUARY II. 1S90.--lNy Deer o. Brien: I de-
sire to express to you how deeply feel the kind
ness and gentleness OF spirit shown 10 me by you
throughout the negotiations. [ have felt all
body the constant anxiety to meet my
views the intense desire that ali pro.
posals claiming your sanction should be as
palatable possible to me. which so dlstln-
guished your conduct in the communications
which passed between l know that you
my part and that you have made allowances
for some unreasonable conduct from me which
to anybody gifted with less patience and con-
Citation than yourself, would have been most
difficult 1 appreciate intensely the dltf-
culties which surrounded you dur
daily anxiety which would have been over
whelming to anybody possessed of less courage
and devotlon than yourself. l tervently hope
end believe that the prospects OF ireland are
not SO dark as you fear, and after a little tlme
having passed through the clouds and dark
ness. we shall again stand on our former loot
ing-when in happier days WeWere comrades in
arms in behalf Of united Ireland. Dearest
OBrien, am always yours.
CHARLES s. PARNELT.
''Thus," Mr.. O'Brien concludes, ''closed
the BOulOgno communications, with full
recognition that We parted as honorable
onDOnentS"