The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1881-11-05 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE CONDITION OF IRELAND.  Ireland seems to be quietening down, though a number of agitators are endeavouting to keep alive the game which has been played by Mr. Parnell. To some eatent the Fates have conspired to assist them. Through the blundering of somebody the leader of the Land League has been permittea to send forth a stirg manifest from Kilmainham jail. The following letter,:bearing his signature has been published in the Freeman's Jourhal :—" Dear sir,—l have noticed that a proposition has been made in some parts of the country of Tenants' Defence Association,' with a view of replacing the organisation of the irish National Land League, and I take this, probably the last, opportunity I shall have of putting our friends thronghbut Irelaod in possession of the reasons why we here are so strongly opposed to the formalion of such associations. Freedom of speech and combination , have been forbidden by the Government, and the ploposed associations would only be tolerated by Mr. Gladstone so long as they appeeked to carry out his views and policy nal:. so far as they appeared likely to attempt to undo the work which the lalsh Land League has done during the last two years. It is the purest childishness to say that it is only the name of the League which has been proclaimed. It is its spirit and its principle which have been really aimed at, and no other organisation will be tolerated by our rulers for an instant unless it promises to be of a reactionary.and Whiggish nature, willing to assist the Government in their attempt to repress, mislead, and demoraYoe the Irish tenant farmers. Michael Devitt opposed me when, two years since, I suggested that for the sake of harmony the title 'Tenant Farmers' Defence Association' should be added to that of the Land League, and I have lived to recognise the 'wisdom of his judgment. We call, therefore, upon our friends who are true to the principles of Devitt and the League to discourage the foundation of these mongrel reactionary associations, and to have nothing whatever to do with them. Permit me to express, in conclusion, the unanimous feeding of every man in this gaol that .they are willing to remain here for any number of months or years that may be necessary.—Yours truly, Chas. S. Parnell." The editor appends to this letter a note stating that he felt compelled to omit portions of the above letter in view o!' the recent proclamation a the Government. However what are stated to be the omitted portions have obtained even a wider publicity than they might have done if they had been published with the original letter The Press Association "understands" that they are as follows :—" The only organisation any longer practicable is that the tenants should meet by estates when called upon to pay rent and decide upon the common line of action recommended courts and the principles of the League, i Ixtt we cannot do anything for evicted. 1  in the manifesto of the executive. The to choose between the Government land time has now come for the Irish people tenants on those estates where their fellow-tenants are unmindful of those principles. We have, therefore, directed those in charge of the relief funds to refuse assistance to tenants on any estate where4the rest of the tenants have either applied to the courts to fix a rent or have paid their rent. The decision of the court that evicted tenants may only sell, but not redeem, renders any far.her action in the courts on their behalf useless. For this and other reasons already stated Mr. M'Geough has retired from the conduct of these cases, and we recommend the evicted tenants to continue to rely upon the League, and not to waste their slender resources or those of their friends in a useless legal straggle." The grim significance of the phrase "we cannot dc anything for evicted tenants on those estates where their fellow-tenants are unmindful of those principles" should not lightly be passed ever. It affords one more proof that Mr. Parnell is a reckless and dangerous man. If his words mean anything they mean that tenants who desire to enjoy the protection of the Land League are to coerce and terrorise their fellow tenants into certain courses of action. Perhaps if the misguided tenants resort to murder and outrages of sn inhuman character, they will not be harshly condemned by the man who has done so much to bring Ireland to its present deplorable pass.