New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-03
Why He Fought
What Caused Bystander to Strike a
Friend of Ireland

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: am quite sure that the press of New
York does not wish to do any one an injus-
tee, and yet am convinced that the hastily
prepared reports Of what occurred at Broad
way and Thrty-seventh Street Saturday night
will be msnrerpreted by many readers and
will cause my own participation in that affair
to be entirely misunderstood. was present
as a mere spectator and a member OF the open
air audience. My inherent respect for law
and order, for constituted authority, pre-
cluded the possibility of my going there with
any deliberate intent or preconceved resolu-
tcn to even comment on what the speakers
said.
assumed that in the light of the Mayors
recent letter of instruction to the police the
so-called Friends of Irish Freedom would be
more or less discreet in their uttersnces. I
was amazed to find that neither public senti-
ment nor official admonition had made the
slightest impression upon them; that it APP.
rcared to be their purpose to incite loyal
Americans in their audience to resentment.
l commented, perhaps quite freely, upon the
assertion that Sir Roger Easement was as
much OF patriot as George Washington, and
the declaration that the press of New York
had been bought and paid for with British
gold. One of the most distinguished editors
in America was mentioned by name as the
corrupt agent of the British government, and
when | heard this. for the first time in my life
at any public gathering, indoors or out Of
doors, | Kissed. | do not believe that the
treason and sedition now rife in New York
can be suppressed with Kisses.
All of my remarks except in a single in
stance, while at the meeting were addressed
to a relative who stood beside me. The ex-
ce2tion was when | spoke casually 10 a mem
Der OF the police force in citizens clothes,
That what | said was neither loud nor dis
orderly is evident from the fact that uni
formed police sergeant at my elbow said later
that he could not hear me or testify TO the
fact that had criticised the speakers. Two
uniformed policemen less than six feet away
expressed themselves to the same effect.
There always is more or less conversation at
an open air meeting. The speakers did not
even know | was in the crowd. There was no
effort on my part 10 heckle them.
To say that ! was amazed when one of the
numerous scouts distributed through the
audience, apparently looking for trouble, COM
planned to the sergeant at my elbow that
This man pointing to me- has been hiss
ing the Constitution is to put it mildly.
could hardly believe | understood him Alright,
and | waited for him to repeat what he said
This he did with his finger in my face Il
was then | struck him, and it was a minute
later, while was tightly held by two police
men, that some unidentified friend of Irish
freedom and fair play struck me. His ex-
PLANTATION later was that | had Kissed free
speech guaranteed by the Constitution. Ny
proper course would have been to have him
arrested | know, but there are some insults,
suddenly given, that provoke men to violate
the written ordinance, however great their
respect for authority while thinking in cool
blood
This is a true statement of what happened
Saturday night, corroborated by the police.
and will be obliged If you will publish IT,
HENRY T. PRICE.
New York, Aug. 81, 1917.