The Irish standard., 1897-02-06
NatiOnalists of Belfast are Giving
Evidence of DETER
minatiOn.
The Work of the Past Is Now
Bearing rlost Satisfac-
tory Fruit.
Belfast is Now the Center Of
the Fighting Ground,
Not Dublin.

Not Dublin.
*
In the Dublin Weekly Freeman Joseph
.Devlin gives an interesting sketen OF
"Nationalism In Belfast" The story he
tells will surprise those who have come
to regard Ulster as the exclusive possess
sion of the Orangemen. He shows that
the existing state of affairs is totally d1f-
ferent from what has been generally
supposed, says the Boston Republic.
Mr.. Devlin begins by sketching the
earlier history of Belfast and shows that
down to the time of the collapse Of the
insurrection of 9S il was the head centre
and chief dependence Of the Irish patri-
OTIS. He then continues:
The failure Of the insurrection, the
rise Of the Orange Society and the cir
cumstances attending the passage and
working of the union proved fatal to the
hopes Of the Belfast patriots, and be-
tween the Orange society and the cir
cumstances attending the passage and
the working Of the union proved fatal to
the hopes OF the Belfast patriots, and be-
tween the Orange society and DR.. Cooke
on the one hand, and OConnell and the
Catholic agitation on the other, the city
soon became as remarkable for is Sec
tarianism and bigotry as 1t had pre-
vicusly been for its liberaiity and toler-
ance From then until almost the present
day it has been a fight for bare exist
ence for the Catholics, record Of whose
struggles and trials would make vol
ume in itself. In O'Connelrs time Bel
fast was a great repeal centre. Even In
the present day there are in the ranks Of
the local federation men who acted es re-
peal wardens. From one Of these the
writer had very interesting descrip-
tion of visit paid to Belfast by O'Con-
nell in the early days of the repeal move
ment. A band of orangemen had ar
ranged to assassinate the liberator, but
happily he got timely warning Of the
plot, and, taking different route, er-
rived safely in the city. The meeting at
which he spoke was crowded with the
elite of the Catholics Of the district, and
his speech was one Of the most felicit-
GUS of his life. How strong was the hold
OConnell had on the Nationalists OF Bel
fast was proved subsequent to the acces-
sion of the young Irelanders from Con-
ciliation hall. Thomas Francis Meagher
had arranged to address meeting, but
the "burly butchers Of Hercules street"
O'Connellits all, met him with shouts of
'You killed O'Connell," and although
Meagher was no coward, he decided to
abandon his project. 1t must have been
rather disappointing to Duffy to learn
that the city which had the whole beneo
fit of his tuition, through the columns o&
the Vindicator, for so long, had SO un-
graciously turned its back upon his elo-
Quent compatriot. Hercules street is now
no more, It's sturdy sons and valiant
their graves, even the very spot where
many time they triumphed" is unrec-
ognizable in the stately Royal avenue;
but their exploits still furnish food for
song and story round many National
ist f1reside.
The Young Irelands, however, were
Belfast. The Tenant League had the ef-
feet of bringing more closely together
few prominent Liberals an Catholics
in Belfast, but the Brass Band wrecked
any prospect OF good from them, and un-
til the Parnell movement sounded the
death knell Of Whiggery in Ireland the
Catholic vote for the most part could
always be depended upon by the Liberal
candidates, though there remained de-
ternined section who held by NATIONAL
lists principles through every vicissitude
of politics, and to this section was in a
great measure due the extraorLinary*co-
clifton of Orangemen and Catholics by
which Mr.. William johnson of Baflykil-
beg was triumphantly returned as q
member for Belfast. In the Fenian
movement Belfast, as a centre, the work
of organization was carried On with great
secrecy, persistence and success in the
counties Of Down and Antrim. Some Of
the leading spirits Of the time are alive
still, but death mas stricken down many
in recent years
The passage of the reform act OF 1884
and the prospect which 1t afforded Of
the NaticnaIists returning member
Of their own gave great irnpetus to the
Belfast organization. The body Of the {
people threw themselves into the work
with all the energy Of which they Wan4s
capable; and succeas In the md crosn4E q
their efforts. s5SssS ss;as5s
The organization which set apesitE | s,s;:
turning d Nationalist ID member to
Belfast vas d, ID, torough energetic y ss
esentative. 1ss "A