The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-01-10
The Veteran Irish Missio1>> "" -: a:v. Father
Kavanaugh, Relates interesting essasS~-
isences of Mitchell and Kickham
Enthusiastic, Honest and Loyal, Both Have
Left Lasting Impressions on lreland's
Struggle for Self Government

Rev. P. ]. Kavanagh, the veteran
Irish missionary, has met and been ac-
quainted with many distinguished men
in Ireland, and in the Tertiary" he
gives personal "reminiscences of John
Mitchell and Charles J. Kickham, as
follows:
It was in Cork that met with John
Mitchell in the house of my friend,
George Barry, of Sundays Well, as
honest and enthusiastic an Irishman
as have ever known. Mr.. Mitchell
being at the time in very delicate
health, was unwilling to receive Wis
itors, and but few of his many admir-
ers who called to see him were ad-
mitted to an interview. was
amongst the fortunate few. Il think
this favor was shown me because
was the descendent Of '9S pikeman,
and also because I was believed to
be something of rebel myself.
I had always entertained high ad-
miration for John Mitchell, and was
delighted to hear from my friend, Mr..
Barry, that Mitchell had signified his
willingness to see me whenever I call
ed. I availed myself of his kindness,
and during his stay in Cork had many
conversations with him. OF these dis
courses, often prolonged till late at
night, I can here give but brief ac-
count ''-=rssi. '-e'r-,; u.
One Of the Men Who Have Made
History.
Mr.. Mitchel's appearance was very
prepossessing. The expression Of his
countenance indicated the gentleness,
the sincerity and the frmness of his
character. His manners were those
of refined gentleman, simple, unaf-
fected and dignified. He spoke al
most as we'll as he wrote, and his
conversation was, as may be supposed,
deeply interesting. The great events
with which he had been so closely con-
nected gave additional significance to
his utterances. He was one of the
men who have made history. While
in his company was rather listener
than speaker.
was aware of his opinions on Irish
matters, but I was pleased to hear
them from his own lips. He liked to
speak Of '98, and was great admirer
of Father Murphy, the chief leader in
that famous fight for freedom. Speak
ing of '48 he said in answer to my
question: "Had you and your friends
much hope of success?" "No; not
much," he answered. 1--WE were all
young men and nearly all engaged in
literary pursuits. We had little expe-
rience but much enthusiasm; but
think we had little hope of success.
However, we had written and spoken
so much and SO boldly. that we were
ashamed not to do something to prove
our earnestness, and most of US
thought it would be better to die fight
ing for freedom than submit any long
er to British tyranny. Perhaps we
did not fully realize how broken-spir-
tied the people of Ireland then were."
Mitchell, Meagher and Stephens.
It is we'll known that Mr.. Mitchell
did not believe in Fenianism. He
thought secret societies in Ireland
quite useless to effect any good. He
held James Stephens in but slight esti-
nation. "He called upon me-" said Mr..
Mitchell. Thomas Francis Meagher
was with me. He tried to impress
upon US that it was our duty to join
his organization, but we had resolved
to have nothing to do with him, and
told him so"
On another occasion when we were
discussing the insurrection Of 1898 and
the ferocious bigotry of the Orange
Yeomen who took the side of the op-
pressor, I said: 1T was strange that
these men should have acted so cruel
ly towards their own countrymen who
did nothing to incure their hatred.
We. Irish Catholics have ever shown
federation to our Protestant brethren.
In '98 the Wexford insurgents spared
the lives of Protestants, although they
had Joined our foreign tryants and
fought against US. None of them were
put to death unless convicted of some
crime which deserved it"
"That was mistake" he said, "you
should have killed every one of them.
for they were all traitors to their coun.
try" "But that. Mr.. Mitchell" l said,
would have been against the spirit
OF the Gospel; Our Lord told Peter to