Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1902-10-31 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

DONNELL AT COLNE.  1.11.E:d %FEU'.IJin  methods and aims of which were perfectly legitimate and constitutional. Let them make themselves well acquainted with the Inch quetion and intend of picking quarrel about nationalities, instead of talking about religion, let them try to enlighten the people of England, tell them some of the wrongs he had told them of that night, tell them of some of the crimes which were being perpetrated in their name, and beg of them for the sake of freedom, of justice and fair play to do something towards putting into power a governnent that would do justice to Ireland and by so doing bring peace and contentment to Ireland. Their desire was not to continua the war between Ireland and England, it was to have peace. Ireland and England at war was a social weakness, at peace it would be a power to both nations. Referring to the sympathy extended to the Boers by the Irish he said he thought Englishmen would understand that they were thoroughly justified in sympathising with a people fighting for freedom against a government of which their own experience was so unsatisfactory. He appealed to Englishmen who loved freedom to stand by the Irish and see that their wrongs were redressed. He need not deal at much greater length with thia question to-night. He intended to address as many meetings as he could in this country on the question, and iv. hoped others might come down and enlighten the English democracy. If they discussed their affairs in Ireland they were persecuted and imprisoned. He gave them the ease of John Roche, an old m2n 60 years of age, who had never been guilty of the slightest crime in his lifetime other than telling his constituents that they must get he land from which their fathers were evicted. He had not the slightest doubt that the sentence of six months' imprisonment which he was undergoing was really a sentence of death, and he had no hesitation in saying that Mr. George Wyndham was 98 guilty of murder as if he had stabbed his victim to the heart with a knife. They . might have other opportunities for discus, sing these questions. They were debarred from addressing their constituents in Ireland. thee were deprived the rights of having a day to discuss those grievances in the I "mother of Parliaments." He himself had been brought into rather sharp contact. the other day. He thought they would agree , with him when he said he could not express , any regret for what, he had done. He was I prevented from speaking in his own constituency; when he spoke in another man's constituency he was imprisoned, and when , he wanted to speak in the House of Corn- mons he was gagged. He claimed. equal , right to speak in the House of Commons with Mr. Balfour or Mr. Wyndham, for . there had been as much or more unanimity in his election. Yet the moment he attempted to speak on behalf of his suffering , countrymen he was prey •nt d from doine so, and he said was fully justified in what he . did. He had, therefore, determined to go out and speak to Mr. Balfour's masters— , the people of England. The Govornment which was in power did not represent the people; they got a snatch vote in the • ounI try at a time when, to say the least, a great. , manv of the people were not perfectly sound in their notions 98 to what might be right , and what wrong. The Tory Government , did not represent the people of England, , Scotland, and Wales. With is further ap. peal to both the Englishmen and Irishmen . present on the grounds lie had mentioned , Mr. O'Donnell concluded amid applause.  The motion was carried. and an entertainment followed.  .