The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-02-25
CHAS. J. HICKMAN
Sketch OF the Noted Journalist
Poet and Fenian.
Held q Prominent Place in His
Country's Councils.

Charles Joseph Kickham, Journal
list, poet, and Fenian, born in 1925, in
Mullinahone county, Npperary; died
ut Blackjack, County Dublin, August
%, 1882. says L. MEG. in the San
Francisco Monitor. He was a con-
slant contributor to the "Celt," and
Irish People," two National papers of
! that time. He was one of the first
Fenian organizers in Ireland, and held
Il prominent place in the councils of
that body, and was one of the ablest
writer's engaged on the 'Irish People"
newspaper, the successor Of the ma
ton" His forcible and terse style Of
writing in prose and verse, gave great
impetus to the movement. And his
ballads, Rory of the Hill.' and
whats That to any Man, Whether
or No." had a powerful effect on the
susceptible young patriots who loved
the cause and admired the writer.
THE Irish People" wds suppressed in
1865 by the arrest of it's chief editor,
Thomas Clark Luby, and other Fenian
leaders. Mr.. Kickham was also ar
rested and tried for sedition. He was
convicted and sentenced to fourteen
years penal servitude, shorter time
than was inflicted upon his associates,
the judge expressing his regret at be-
ing compelled to pronounce judgment
upon person of such character, abil-
tiles and temperament. He was re-
leased after a short term Of imprison-
ment, and subscription was taken up
by the Nationalist of Ireland and the
United States as a testimonial. His
health since boyhood had been deli
cate and feeble, he was afflicted with
deafness, the result of an accident in
his youth. Like Thomas Davis, his
motive in writing poetry was mainly
to influence the people to indignation
against English authority, and he ap-
pealed directly to the peasantry by
having his poems printed on ballad
sheets for circulation.
They are simple in style, as might
be expected, but were efficient in eff
fecting the object they were written
for. Mr.. Kickham's poems were few
in number and I think have not been
collected in a volume. He is also the
author Of two powerful stories Of
Irish life with a political purpose.
''Sallie Kavanagh, or the Untenanted
Grave" first published in 1869, and
some time after his powerful and, I
think, last work, "Knock-na- Cow" a
story of thrilling interest, it had a
story Of the homes of Tipperary,
great circulation amongst all classes in
Ireland, England and the United
States. Kickham was one of the
noblest Irishmen, sincere patriot and
pure Christian, his life was devoted
to the cause Of his country, and his
death accelerated by that noble and
undying love. e. MEG.
RORY OF THE HILLS.
'"rhat rake up near the rafters,
Why leave it there so long?
The handle. Of the best Of ash,
Is smooth and straight and strong;
And, mother, will you tell me
Why did my father frown,
When to make the hay in summer
time
climbed to take it DOWN."
| She looked into her husbands eyes,
While her own with light did fill:
you'll shortly know the reason boy!"
Said Rory of the Hill.
The midnight is lighting up
The slopes of Slieve-na-man:
Whose foot afrights the startled hares
So long before the dawn?
He stopped just where the Anner's
stream
Winds up the woods a-near,
Then whistled low and looked around
To see the coast was clear.
n Smelling door flew open,-
In he stepped with right good will:
God save all here, and bless your
workv'
Said Rory of the Hill.
Right hearty was the welcome
That greeted him, ween,
For years gone by he fully proved
How we'll he loved the green;
And there was one amongst them
Who graspcd him by the hand,-
One who through all that dreary time
Roamed on a foreign strand.
He brought them news from gallant
friends
That made their heart-strings thrill;
"My sowl, I never doubted them,"
Said Rory of the Hill.
They sat around the humble board
Till dawning of the day.
And yet nor song nor shout heard,
No jewellers were they.
Some brows flushed red with gladness.
And some We're grimly pale:
But pale or red. from out those eyes