The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-06
CAPT. JOHN M,cAFFERrY.
A Hero Of the Irish RevolutionaF.
Moyame need To Death.

A Hero Of the Irish Revolutionary
Movement--sentenced TO Death.
Capt John McCafsrty, the Irish Republican
orator who will address the meeting at South
Seattle tonight, aud the meeting in the Seattle
opera house next Saturday evening. has an in
teresting history. He was born in Kentucky,
and served in the Confederate army under Gen.
John II. Morgan. Immediately after the close
OF the war he Joined the Irish Revolutionary
Brotherhood and entered into the scheme for
military uprising in Ireland. In . speech de-
livered by him about ten days ago in Butte
fAont.), he thus spoke Of the reception nc
corded TO him in Ireland:
made my first visit TO Ireland in September,
1865, and was arrested on the 18th day OF said
month while yet on the tender boat in the cove
OF Cork l had on my person ofiic;ai papers
linked with the nineteen cx-Irish- American
military officers who were landing with me. and
who were moot anxious to draw swords in be-
half OF Irish republican freedom. / was taken
10 prison and Invested, during the searching
operation, OF all clothing: put, not like the r.
J. Meehan affair, the important documents were
nos found. saturday morning arrived; must
change my linen; therefore, while the prison
such garments as needed, I removed my top
shirt. ripped open the collar and cuffs,
swallowed them. When the officials returned
70 the cell there was necessarily scene over
the mutilated shirt 1t was indeed funny AZ
iair. And up to this moment these prison am.
that shirt scene. After four months confine-
ment, the crown failing TO prove home the
charge OF treason Q. felony, was discharged. I
then reported to Mr.. James stephens, the gen.
eralissimo OF the Irish Republican Brother.
hood, and was assigned TO an important COM
mand. Soon after this event, ii becoming neces-
sary that the ]. X. b. should be represented in
the United states by military officer. was
selected for that mission. even against my most
f1 ar,ssn ed0; to- Ireland Finally organized
the first council board of the /. K.
u. Then, with cooperation, planned the
Chester raid which, as many know, proved
failure through the treachery OF the infamous
Corydon: after which, in company with the
gallant Capt John Flood sailed from England
for Ireland with a view of preventing the
however. arrested in the River Lffey.
/ WAS tried for high treason al the leader of the
Chester raid, found guilty, and was then sen
June u, 1867. That inhuman sentence was
finally committed to the more beastiy one-the
prison pens OF Great Britain. After four and
conditional amnesty, was oanished from Great
Britain and Ireland for my natural life. since
then have visited Great Britain and Ireland
FIVE times in connection with the national cause
OF Ireland. These trips were made in the face
OF the British ban-in fact, there have been
atanding rewards ranging from 81 600 to 10000
Tor my arrest
While he was languishing in prison, he re-
fected much on the great mistake the Irish
American voters were committing in their sup
port OF the Democratic policy of free trade with
England; he saw that though their prayers
were for Ireland, their ballots were generally
cast for England. Upon his return to the
United States he declared his adhesion to the
Republican doctrine OF protection to American
industry, and has ever since advocated it IN the
press and on the stump. He IL an eloquent
speaker and careful student of the labor prob
lens OF the day. woFkingmen should not neg
lect the opportunity of hearing him; he 10
champion Of their cause Irishmen need not
be urged to listen to one who nearly lost his
Lie in the cause OF their native land.