The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-02-19
WILLIAM O'BRIEN ON IRISH
UNITY.

William O'Brien has issued long state
ment on the Irish situation. He says:
I'm an otherwise difficult position, the
delegates to America had the advantage
/ that they were free from the heat of part
isanship and could offer themselves as
mediators. The experience OF the past
five weeks, gathered from personal inter
views, letters and newspapers of all sides,
| completely confirms the conviction that
| only hearty reunion can save the IRISH
cause 1t is my duty to solemnly declare
that no difficulty has existed which a
| little more sacrifice of personal feelings
on both sides might not have surmount-
cd" DIR. O'Brien explains that the idea
of public truce was abandoned because
both sides declared it was impossible and
that no useful purpose would follow tie
publishing of the details of the negotla
tions. Therefore it has been decided to
regard the negotiations as confidential.
Mr. O'Brien thinks, however, that none
of the parties concerned will seriously
question that upon the man points con-
| tended for on both sides a substantial
agreement was established. 81 cannot
too strongly express" continues Mr..
| OBrien, with what feelings we found
| a settlement SO vital shipwrecked at the
| last moment by mere contests OF words
and phrases-contests which with little
more magnanimity and less suspicious
ness on both sides might easily have been
arranged, and which, to my mind, offer
shockingly inadequate excuse for commit
ting the country to struggle involving
consequences SO appalling. We are ham,
pered at every step-not merely by the
malignant tittle-tattle and giddy mis-
chief making of section of the English
press. but by the more serious lmpedl-
ments placed in our way by responsible
persons, who, under the influence of
some extraordinary infatuation, have
seemed to grudge every hour devoted to
peacemaking and to resent every attempt
to give less barbarous character to the
conflict"
Mr. O'Brien concludes THE irrecon-
cilables of all sections have carried the
day. Mr.. Dillon and myself cannot long
er stand between them and their deplor-
able work. We should have been more
sensitive to the obloquy we incur by re-
fusing to participate in such conflict
| had we shrunk from conflict with Ire
lands enemies. We can do nothing
more until we have recovered freedom of
action by getting through with the SEN
| tence standing against us. On the eX-
| plration of that term L shall be happy
| to submit myself to the judgment of my
constituents; and if | cannot otherwise
assist, l can enable them to commit their
interests to other hands,"
Mr.. Dillon in shorter statement, adj
mits that he had been largely influenced
to mediate by the action of Mr.. Parnell's
most prominent opponents. Mr.. Par
nell, he says, had been assailed with
shocking personal vindictiveness aud
brutality In utter disregard of what was
due him III return for his splendid ser
vices This personal element had in
many minds hopelessly obscured the
great public issues and driven thou
sands in Ireland and America into Par
nell's camp who otherwise could have
opposed his continued leadership
Springfield Republican.