The Irish standard., 1898-11-19
A BOLD SPEECH BY THE FATHER OF
THE LAND LEAGUE
IN The BIRTHPLACE OF The MOVEMENT
POLICE FOOLED INTO pROCLAlMlNG
AN IMAGINARY MEETING.
The SPIRIT OF IRISH NATIONALITY
is lRREPRESSlBLE AND RAMPANT IN
THE COUNTY OF MAYO.

The following account of a mass meet
ing recently held at Irishtown and ad
dressed by Michael Davitt is taken from
the Dublin Freeman's Journal:
On Sunday meeting which in point
of numbers, enthusiasm and well-disci-
plined order has never been surpassed,
took place at lrishtown, The Cradle of
the Land League" and many circum-
stances lent to it an Importance and
suggestion. In the first place, the scnac
was, it need not be said, historic, as be-
ing the place where nearly twenty gold
EN- years ago the old Land League meet
ings gathered, and where Michael Davitt,
Tom Brennan, O'Connor Power and
others initiated a movement that forced
legislation, spoke and made history. On
Sunday it was something like that, only
more SO. The significant thing about
Sundays gathering, in addition to What
has been mentioned, is this, that while
it's numbers were not so great, the en-
thusiasm was SO unlimited, the general
organization under the management OF
the United Irish League so perfect and
manifest, only half a dozen police con-
stables were to the fore, and when the
crowds assembled these guardians of the
peace retired from the public gaze save
two, who remained on the outskirts of
the crowd and listened to the speeches
apparently more or less sympathctically.
The fact appeared to be that. while a
meeting, supposed by the authorities for
some reason or another to be organized
for Balcarras, was proclaimed and
attracted to it Il police force of great
proportions-a meeting which. it appears
only existed in the imagination-this
great meeting and others were left in
peaceful possession of the people After
last mass great crowds began to gather,
and they came from many distant parts
Of the country on breaks ard cars, and
with bands and banners. Among the
districts represented, were Castlerca,
knock, Roundford, Killawallan, Bailin-
robe, Kilhillagh, Clarcmorris, Logboy
and Irishtown. The arrival of Mr.. Mich
ael Davitt, who was accompanied by the
patriotic pastor, Father McGirr, and Mr..
McHale, president of the league, was the
signal for the demonstration of welcome
which even to them must have appeared
Of almost exceptional enthusiasm. The
excellent band of killavalla played STIR
ring program Of music.
A temporary platform was erected at
Market Square, and on the motion of Mr..
James Daily, of Irishtown, seconded by
Mr.. Fitzgerald, the chair was taken amid
cheers, by the Rev. Er. McGirr.
Among the clergy present were Rev. p.
OConnor, 2. =. Ballinlough; Rev. John
Fallon, p. p, Knock; Rev. M. J. Con-
roy, c. c., Logboy; Rev. M. Hannon, c.
c., Knock; Rev. r. G.. Lynch, c. c.
Ballindine.
The reverend chairman, who was re-
ceivcd with prolonged cheers, said they
had come here that day with practically
nothing In the nature of an invitation
public placard or other incentive and,
nevertheless, he believed lie was right in
saying that it was one Of the greatest
and most representative gatherings that
had taken place in the country. (Chccrs.)
The agitation which was started in that
historic spot was, Of course, memorable,
and had brought about useful lcgisa-
ton. (Chccrs.) Now, a new and fur
thcr development arose in the United
Irish League.
A Voice-Cheers for Mr.. William
OBrien. (Chccrs.)
The Chairman-Ycs; that new league
had for its object lesson and It's mean
ing to give expression to what after all
were the views of the government, in re-
spect to the congested districts. (Chcers.)
In their movement, of which that meet
ing was an outcome, he contcndcd that
they were not opposing or disgraclng any
law human or divine. NIcar, hcar.) In
ldCl, IIcy WcIc icdIly hccplUB tIIc gov
crnment in that which they profcssed to
be their object. 1t might be said, and
had been said that the priests we're not
taking up this movement. Well, all he
could say was that he had invited all the
priests Of the dcancry (hear, hcar) to
show their sympathy with the people in
their struggle and they saw the results.
(Chccrs) He himself would support it
with his best efforts and would try to
guide 1t in its forward, pcrsevering, con-
stitutional movement. )Checrs.)
He thought it was the duty as well as
the privilege and right of the priests to
stand shoulder to shoulder with the peo-
pie who work with and support them
| (Cheers)
Michael Davitt, M. p, who was rcceiv-
ed with prolonged cheers, said in the