The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-06-30
O'DONOVAN ROSSA
The Patriot and Exile Visits His
Native Town After an Abb
sence of Thirty Years.
HIS ADDRESS AT SKIBBEREEN

Receives Hearty Greetings Every.
where on His Journey Through
the County of Cork.
Our Dublin exchanges devote consid.
erable space to the Irish feloD, Jere-
miah U'Donoyan Rossa, who is now on q
lecture tour IN Ireland. In Queenstown
he mentioned matter entirely personal
to himself which may not be without IN
tereet. In the old days in New York,
and even in recent years, twas the man
ner of the hostile press to describe him
as man who was to be almost con-
stantly found drinking in bars, but the
actual fact is that Rosea, always an ab-
stemlous man, has been strict teeto.
taller for the last sixteen years. After
spending few days at Queenstown he
left for Skibbereen, and, after an ab-
sence of thirty years, set foot once more
in his native place, amidst enthusiastic
"caed mile lailthes," from old comrades
and young friends.
His journey to the West was Of the
most enthusiastic description. At every
station from Bandon to Skibbereen, the
welcome Of the people was Of a most cor
dial kind. This platforms at the Bandon
station were packed with people, and as
the train steamed d in the local brass band
which accompanied the crowd, played
the Wearing O. the Green" AS the
train drew up a loud and hearty out
burst of cheering greeted the exile's re-
turn, and then there was rush TO the
carriage door to salute him. For the
few minutes that the tram remained at
the station the ovation was kept up, and
the journey. westward then continued to
the strains Of sold Lang Syne," rendered
by the band, which, it may be added, &C.
companied Rossa to Skibbereen. Clona-
kitty junction was soon reached, and
here, too, were numerous hand shakiDgs
and congratulations and other manifes
tations of welcome. Similar proceedings
took place at Desert, Enniskeane, and
especially at Dunmanway, where lot Of
representative townspeople assembled to
wish caed mile failthe. Here he was
presented with the following address of
welcome:
81 oble patriot of the first water, we,
the undersigned, on behalf Of the Ma
tionalists Of Dunmanway, tender tc you
a hearty caed mile tailthe-you who
have braved the unparalleled persecu-
tions Of an alien Government that sent
modern Norbury to give mock trial
with sentence cut and dry. But, thank
God, you have outlived the tyranny OF
that Government, with it's hosts of vile
informers, assassias and barbsrous, mer-
ciless gaolers. And we trust, dear Rossa,
to great future yet before you, for the
Irish people will never forget the sacri-
fees you have made in behalf Of our
country's Independence. 1t would be
impossible for us to go fully into or do
Justice to the eventful and noble career
of such great man as you, brave Rossa,
in such hurried and short address as
this, but, suffice it to say, that there is no
Irishman held dearer or in higher es-
TEEN in the hearts of the Irish people
than you, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa,
Notwithstanding all the attacks made
against your character by tho enemies of
our country. Signed, James MCCARTHY,
Daniel McCarthy, Patrick Ahern, Peter
Mahony and Eugene Mccarthy.
The reading of the address was con-
Guided just as the train moved away, and
the time did not therefore permit of q
reply.
Drimoleague was next reached, and
here numerous friends gave Rossa 9
right royal greeting. He left the train
at Madore, q station q few miles from
Skibbereen, to pay passing visit TO
some old friends, but this arrangement
caused some disappointment at Skib-
bereen. The platform was full to over
flowing by an expectant mass OF people,
who eagerly scanned every carriage and
every compartment, in the hope OF see
ing their distinguished visitor. Matters
were, however, soon explained to their
satisfaction, and they left the station
cheering for Rossa. sss5 .8ssa
Rossa reached Slibbereen at half-pa
sasix, and was accorded amost inspiriting
I demonstration of welcome. ecame on
BY 3 ,wsaggonette from Madore, and q q
short distance outside the town was met
! by the Bando brass band and = great
sssbody of people. Att the work house gate
Mo va presented with y hand some hou-
~ q the nsster
hes q Illal
mi ID 4 @ 4 y q