The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-25
A LOVER OF LIBERTY.
Allan L. McDermott's Splendid
Record as Friend of
ireland.

Mr.. Michael B. Holmes, the acknowl
edged leader of Irish patriotism In this
city and prime mover in all events which
are in aid and support of Irish causes, is
indignant at ISLANDERS which have been
privately circulated regarding Allan L.
McDermott. Mr.. Holmes is Chairman
of the Central Branch of the
Irish National League of this
city, and has personal knowledge
of every fact connected with Its work. AS
mere matter of justice. and without my
political interest in the matter Mr..
Holmes has made public answer to the
malicious stories referred to. Judge John
Kenny, whose patriotism as an Irishman
10 we'll known to be only second to his
fidelity as an American citizen. joins
with Mr. Holmes in answering the
malicious rumors.
To their ears there came recently
rumors that Republicans were endeavor-
ing to place Mr.. McDermott in disrepute
by circulating statements that he was an
tagonistic to the Irish cause. In response.
the two gentlemen drew up a simple,
straightfor ward statement of facts. which
they now publish ss follows:-
THE STATEMENT.
"We find that false charges are being
made and unscrupulous means are being
resorted to to dlscredit Allan L. McDer-
mOUt. OD6 OI Lll6 CdUuludteS IOE mayor OIL
Jersey City, some persons going so far as
to say that although Mr.. McDermott
bears an Irish name he has never shown
any sympathy with the Irish people
in their struggle for self-government.
"We find that we would be lending our
selves to the perpetration of gross act of
Injustice were we to Keep silent and al
low such statements to 10 uncontradicted
when we know them to be false and we
are in a position to give them most en-
phatic denial
1--WE condemn the evil practice of cir
culating false and malicious charges
against public men on the eve OF election
as tending to degrade and injure the
character of our adopted country, and we
therefore respectfully submit the follow
ing facts to refute the charges made
against Mr.. McDermott.
I'm the month of November, 1885, we
waited upon Mr.. McDermott to ask his
cooperation in promoting the Parlia-
mentary fund which Mr.. Parnell then
needed to contest the elections in Ireland.
We were most courteously received, and
Mr.. McDermott told US that he would
have most willingly assisted us from the
start had we asked him to do 50.
PRACTICAL SYMPATHY.
'To prove his sincerity and warm SYM
pathy with the Home Rule movement he
gave us his check for $780,
'.A short time afterwards he delivered
an eloquent address at a meeting in St.
Michaers Institute, which for intimate
knowledge of Irish history and scathing
denunciation of England's oppression
and misgovernment of Ireland has not
been surpassed. If 1t has been equalled by
any man who has spoken on Irish affairs
in this State. At various times since
Mr.. McDermott has shown his practical
sympathy for the irish cause by mis- gem
erous subscriptions and eloquent advo-
cacy of her rights.
.rhe last time an Irish delegation
visited this country to raise money for
the support of the evicted tenants Mr..
McDermott was not found wanting In
generous sympathy as the following let
ter which accompanied his cheek for 500
will show
''25S PAvoNIA AVENUE,
JERSEY CITY, N j., Nov. IS, 1890.
'Mr John Kenny, Treasurer Central Branch
Irish National LeagIe:-
s,DEAR MR.. KESNY:-I could not arrange to
ceive Ireand's heroes, but now that the list of
subscribers has been published want to put my
mite in the treasury II asked for the i'm
pressions received abroad l should say:-Ire-
land is hopeful; England is puzzled. Right Is
ALWAYS hopeful; wrong is always puzzled.
You know that l am somewhat difident &c
the publication of any subscriptions l make to
any cause and l know that you will favor this
notion of mine by simply crediting the enclosed
check TO "A Friend of Liberty
''Fraternally yours,
ALLAN L. McDERMoTT."
"Mr. McDermott, when he wrote the
above letter, never expected to see it pub
lished, and it probably never would have
been were it not for the attempt now