The Washington herald., 1907-10-13
AFFAIRS IN IRELAND.
~ By sEUMAs MAcMANUs
By sEUMAs MAcMANUS.

animation, which is causing some sensa-
tion among Lord Ashtown's friends. The
police conclude that. first. the bomb. con-
tained in metal pot, had been placed on
the outside of the window Of the draw
ing-room on the night OF the explosion;
second, this window, instead of being
closed at night, like most floors ground
windows, was wide open when the bomb
was placed there. The shutters were
open. and the drawing room door also
was open, though the man in wooden who
had charge OF locking up the place de-
posed that he closed both windows and
shutters and shut the door before re-
tiring to bed; third. the pot that con
tained the bomb has shown TO be q pot
that belonged TO Lord AshtoWn; fourth.
the handle OF a handbOrrow which had
evidently been used in carrying the pot
was shown TO be the handle Of one Of
Lord AshtOwn's own baTroWs; NTH, there
was no trace OF a fOrcible entry: sixth.
by wonderful coincidence, all the dogs
about the place were. for the first time
In the memory of man. locked up by the
gamekeeper on the night OF the explosion.
England and Lord Ashtown are presently
saying as little as they possibly can with
regard to this horrible Irish outrage. The
Irish people are calling for a sworn in
quiry into the matter, and the government
has replied that it viii not grant a sworn
inquiry. oh, this wicked Ireland!
The spectacle Of a popular song writer
fallen upon evil days produced a pathetic
impression at Bow street police court the
other day A blind composer, Tom Ma
guire, was. with his wife, Frances.
charged with causing an obstruction. He
was well known years ago, and he has
written many songs, which have secured
a great deal of popularity. including those
sentimental ballads. spare the Old Mud
Cabin" kathleen Ashore. Wait TIL
the Clouds Roll By" and others with a
humorous note; but poverty and afiiction
overlook him. and now. blind and nearly
deaf, he lives IN Clerkenwen, and goes
into the streets trying TO sell his melo-
dies. Mrs. Mcguire a neatly-dressed lit
tie woman in black, had TO lead her hus-
band carefully into the dock. A Jealous
constable On the previous evening saw
Mcguire playing a cOnceTtina on the
pavement in Russell street He stopped
this, but later Mcguire and his wife
were on the pavement again, selling song
books They were arrested. 4 number Of
songs were handed 10 the magistrate. Sir
Albert de Rutzen, which Mcguire proudly
acknowledged having written twenty
years ago. Il was very famous
then. he added, but now I'm in the
gutter" He further stated that if he
only had d decent instrument he could
probably get his living IN the music halls.
Mcguire and his wife were discharged.
and the old composer was led gently out
Of court.
The London Daily Chronicle had a
series Of articles lately. dealing with the
mark made in the recent session Of Par
lament by the notable men Of each po-
litical party II has some interesting
things to say of Irish members. II re-
marks that Mr. John Redmond has re-
ceded somewhat In the past session Ee
remains an adrOit parliamentarian, but
new doubts have arisen as TO his cOmpe-
tency to lead the Nationalsts IN these
difficult days. Ability he has in abund-
ance. and his patriotism is undoubted-
Has be the power Of command, the ca
pacity 10 lead, 10 initiate, and 70 inspire2
Time will show. but some Of his own
friends have misgivings on these points.
Mr. John Dillon has been very little in
evidence during the session. An over
wheiming sorrow has silenced, for the
time. one Of the most eloquent Of the
NatiQnalsts- Grim and solitary, says
the same correspondent, Mr. Tim Heaiy
has occupied his familiar seat below the
gangway. Occasionally he has thrilled
the house by one Of those efforts or
sonber eloQuence in which he appeals AT
once 20 the emotions and the intelligence
Of his hearers MIR Healy is in the
Irish Parliamentary party, but he is not
of il. He moves in an orbit OF his own
Is Il that he cannot lead, and VIII not
follow? Whatever the reason, in thinking
of Mr. Healy, one Is conscious Of enor-
nous powers running 70 waste.
Our beautiful Irish author Gerald Grif-
| I'm. novelist, playwright. and poet, is pass
| ing out of public memory more rapidly
than he should Gerald Grifins known
novel. and his finest. is The COllegisns.' -
| from which Hon. Dion Boucicault framed
that most popular play. The Colleen
Bawn" Though Grifnn Was a sweet
poet as well as charming novelist. his
I
well to find. that his own County Of
Limerick still cherishes his memory. 4
bust OF the author was unveiled in the
Christian schools, Limerick, recently, by
Rev. w. R. Shanahan, many prominent
| Limerick citizens being present The
| reverend gentleman referred TO the poet
as one of the noblest characters that
ever graced the city of Limerick, and,
dealing with the disputed point Of Grif-
fms birthplace said his researches had
placed beyond all possible future cavil
the fact that Gerald Griffin was born
in St Marys Parish, Limerick, the date
OF his baptism being recorded in the
parish register as December 19, 1903.
Before he unveiled the bust, he asked
| his hearers to 90 back in imagination
| to the time when Gerald Griffin stood
| in that building. as it was then, court
/ house, a witness and reporter Of the pro-
| ceedings that sent Seaman TO the gal
/ lows for the murder Of the COneen Bawn-
AZ the close the bust was unveiled,
amid loud cheers.
The latest slap for Mr.. Redmond and
| his section OF the Irish Parliamentary
party comes from no other than Car
dlnal Logue, the Primate Of all ireland.
II is in the form of a reply TO the Tuam
district council, which had asked him
to interfere in the dissensions that are
running the Irish party. and by calling
together Healy, Brien, Dillon. and Red
mond, if they agree 10 work together
| again. Here is the cardinals letter:
Ara Coeii,
Armagh, Sept 10. 1907.
Dear Sir: beg to acknowledge, with
sincere. thanks. the copy Of a resolution
passed by the Tuam District Council
which you have kindly forwarded to me
In the reply to the resolution. I car
| only say that I should be most happy tc