The Irish standard., 1891-10-03
Ad English View Of John Dillon.

It is striking tribute to Mr.. Dillon's
force Of character says the London
Black and White. that when he was set
free the other day Irish politics once
again stirred up public interest. Men
might differ about everything else, but
on one point there was unanimity.
With the temperance Of John Dillon
in the arena it was universally ack-
nowledged that new force had been.
| liberated to determine the fate Of the
Irish party. John Dillon is now, as he
has always been, Parnell's most farmid-
able rival for the leadership OF the Irish
be given, and one of these lies on the
surface. The Irish are saturated with
the aristocratic sentiment, and though
Voltalre said that whoever served his
distinguished birth and digDified man
ners always count in Irish politics. 1t
was much to Mr.. Parnell's advantage
that he had grandfather; and Mr..
Dillon has in Ike manner had the good
fortune to inherit from his father. John
Blake Dillon, name which is still one
to couture with in Tipperary.
| John Blake Dillon was, perhaps, the
most prudent, though the most chiVal-
| rous leader OF the Yourg Ireland move
ment in 164S. and had he not contrlved
to make good his escape with D'ArcY
McGee he would, like his associates,
have met a traitors doom. Yet his
ONLY crime was passionate loyalty and
devotion to his country, and his nobil-
lty of character, purity of life, Liberal
culture and sterling abb y won for him
the friendship and respect even of
Thomas Carlv]e aud John Bright,
"Among all her WORT y sons" said Mr..
Bright at a banquet given to him IN
Dublin few days after Mr.. billions
daatq. ireland has had none worthier
and nober than John Blake Dillon"
Loug after his treason had been forgot.
ten be sat in the House Of Commons for
Tipperarv, and it is an ODD coincidence
to find his son now denounced by MIR.
Parnell for promoting that verv alliance
between Ii ish Nationalist and English
Radicals, the consolidate IN Of which
was the elder Dillon's mission in Par
lament,
John Dillon the younger, however,
did not till late in life show any ten
dency to adopt bis fathers moderate
policy. Till now it has been a habit to
associate Mr. Dillon with I've, ytbing
that is extreme and feroclous in Irish
Nationalism outside the circle OF abso-
lutte Feni anism. Tall, laDk, dark
browed, sallow, with morose cast Of
countenauce, feverish eye, long,
thin face, compressed Lips. g. finely
modelled chin and a strong jaw, he
looks the part of the patrician couspi1a
tor to perfection. When he rises in the
Houe one feels that Lere at lasj we are
face 70 face with the modern type OF the
Irish rebel. TEis man, at all events,
we feel is no mere professor OF political
barney. In his deliberate utterances
you find no trace of "the blind bysteria
of the Celt,'' and yet, In the heart Of
every plato spoken, clearly defined sem
tence you seem to catch just glimpse
of the hidden fire Of fanaticism.
He was born in 1851, and sent first TO
the Catholic University School ia Har-
court street, Dublin. aud thence TO the
Catholic University in Stephens Green
Aftar studying there he took his diplo-
ma as a surgeon.
When the incorruptible Jonn Mitchell
emerged from his retirement to contest
Tipperary, MIR. Dillon made bis first
prominent appearance in politics as his
supporter. Then he became q strong
advocate Of the policy Of action which
MIR. Parnell began to develop in opposi
ton to the late Mr.. Butt When the
Land League was founded he was ST.
lected to go with Mr.. Parnell and press
it's claims for support on the American
Irish, and from that day till he was re-
Gently put 10 prison by Mr.. Balfour he
has played the role of the Parliamentary
rebel-i1reconciiable and Important
In 1880 his Violent speeches advocating
boycottlug, and his advice to the Young
farmers TO fight rather than be evicted
VOL for him what in Ireland was
deemed Che honor of being the best
abused man in England. In the No
vember Of that year he was indicted for
criminal conspiracy, but the trial was
abortive.
In 1881 he was the stormy petrol Of
the tempest that ragged in the House Of
Commons when, soon after Parliament
met, Michael Dayitt was arrested, and
Dillon initiated the resistance to the
Speaker which led TO the coup q 'etat
whereby the Home Rule members were
all expelled. Another strong speech at
Grangemaller, near Clonmen, caused
him to qe arrested as Suspect" un-
der the new Coercion act. ono Rent
Manifesto" issued by the Suspects
from KiIinainham, as retort to Mr.