The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-10-21
Sketch of His Career.

Charles Stewart Parnell, Member of the
British Parliament. was born in 1S46 at
Ayondale. County Wicklow, Ireland. he is
descended from an old English family that
passed over the Congleton. Cheshire, to Ire.
land, and many Of his ancestors played
prominent parts in history, Ihomas rar'
nell. the poet, was one Of the family. Mr.
Parnelrs grandfather was Sir John Parnell,
who for many years held the office oi
Chancellor Of the EIchequer IN the Irish
Parliament and resigned rather than vote
for the act of Union. Sir Henry Parnell,
Sir Johns son, after many years service in
the House Of Commons, was raised to peer
age as Lord Congleton in 1S41. Mr.. Parnell,
whose mother. now living at Ironsides, Bor-
dentown, N. j., was daughter Of Admiral
Charles Stewart. the celebrated American
naval officer, was educated at various private
schools in England, and afterward sent to
Magdalen College, Cambridge. After tour
of some duration in this country, he returned
to his home in Wicklow, and was high sheriff
OF the county in 1874.
Mr.. Parnelrs advent into the political
struggle in Ireland took place at the gen.
eraI election OF 1874, or rather Immediately
after it, when Colonel Taylor's acceptance
OF office necessitated his reelection for the
County Dublin. Mr.. Parnell was selected
by the Home Rule League to oppose
the first was considered to be hopeless
one, Mr. Parnell entered into the struggle
with alacrity, and acquitted himself in
manner which drew from his political spon-
sors among whom was the late A. n. Sulli-
van. the highest praise.
After his defeat nothing was heard Of Mr..
Parnell in politics until the arrival Of John
opposed by Mr. Moore in his canddature
for the representation of the premier county,
Dir. Parnell supported Mr.. Mitchell in an
admirable letter, and inclosed draft of s125
to defray the expenses of the contest.
In 1875, on the demise Of John Martin,
who represented the county OF Meath in
Parliament. Mr. Parnell was selected to sue
ceed him. He was opposed by Tory and
rival Home Ruler, but succeeded in beating
both.
At the time Mr.. Parnell entered the House
of Commons coersion bill for Ireland was
in course Of enactment; indeed Mr.. ParnelPs
first vote in the House was recorded against
coercion. 1t was during the debates on this
bill that Mr.. Parnel, in company with Mr..
Biggar, introduced what was afterward so
well known by the name Of obstruction" into
the House.
MIR. Parnelps first suspension occurred
during debate on the proposed annexation
of the Transvaal to the British Empire.
IN 100 q COnIeTelCc VI ILo IL lol Pdi W
was held, and Mr.. farnell was elected chair
man of it. In that year the Government so
far recognized his power as to accept thirty
of his amendments to the Government army
bill, among which was abolishins logging
in the army. .
At the close of the session of 1879 Mr..
Parrel entered upon new and important
epoch in his career. There hal been sue
cessor OF three bad harvests in Ireland, the
country was threatened with deep and WIDE
spread Distress and the time was ripe for
Starting new movement for the reform OF
the relations between landlord and tenant.
A meeting had been held in Irisshttown', TOW.
County Mayo, in the previous April, but 1t
was not till June that Mr.. Parneli formally
;pined the new land movement. 1t was on
fhat occasion that he uttered as the key
note Of the coming struggle the Words, words:
On the 21st Of October fol lowing the Irish
National League was founded, and MIR.
Parnsll was elected its first president.