Mr. Davitt in Loughrea — A Monster Demonstration

Examiner, Saturday 18th August, 1883

(From Our Correspondent)

At five o'clock on Tuesday evening, Mr Michael Davitt, father of the late agitation and "main shaft" of the present, arrived unexpectedly in Loughrea, and proceeded to the residence of the Most Rev Dr. Dugann, where he remained for some hours. About eight o'clock the patriotic people, with that spirit of nationality which characterises Loughrea, showed every sign of paying a well deserved tribute of respect to one of the greatest Irishmen of the present age. The Town Commissioners held a hurried meeting, and prepared an address for presentation to Mr Davitt. Let me not be misunderstood. If the patriotism of Loughrea was concentrated in the Loughrea Town Commissioners, as a body, it would indeed be very ??? and unworthy of recognition from far less a personage than Michael Davitt. But the people, when the "real" patriotism can alone be found, were long before making necessary preparations to accord a fitting welcome to Ireland's well—tried son. At eight o'clock the windows of every house were brilliantly illuminated. The splendid band of the Temperance Society was on the streets discoursing national airs, and the people turned out en masse. To any person knowing the history of Loughrea for the past three years, it was plain that the spirit of nationality was as strong and vigorous as ever. That neither the machinery of the Coercion Act under the Foster regime, nor that of the Crimes Act under Trevelyan ; neither the "secret inquisition" or the arrest of our townsmen on the evidence of perjured informers, or the imagination of others could daunt the people. One and all turned out to greet Michael Davitt. One and all vied with each other to see who would best illuminate and decorate their windows. Aye, and the police were not backward, for soon after his arrival the "detectives" were in their creased civilian dress ; double patrols ere on the streets and Mr Barry, SI, in uniform. The band paraded the streets, and over and over again, cheers were given for "Davitt," "Parnell", "T P O'Connor", and "Tim Healy". About half—past nine Mr Davitt, Rev J Cunningham, Rev J Sellers, Rev M Nevin, O D C, Mr Hayden (American Journalist,) Mr John Sweeney, Mr P Sweeney, Mr T Cunningham, Dr J Burke, T C, Mr J Kennedy, T C, Mr T O'Brien, T C, Mr W Flynn, T C, Mr A McEntee, T C, and Mr J N Barrett, &c., met at Miss M A Flynn's drapery establishment. The room was tastefully decorated, and several young ladies including Miss Yates, Miss Flynn, Miss Hughes, the Misses Conway, were also present.

Dr Burke, addressing Mr Davitt, said it was his pleasing duty to present him with an address —
Mr John Sweeney — Although my interruption is unpleasant, and I feel it keenly myself, still I, on the part of the Nationalist of Loughrea, object to Dr Burke reading an address, or in any way approaching Mr Davitt in the name of the people of Loughrea.
Dr Burke — What reasons have you for objecting?
Mr Sweeney — If you want my reasons I will tell them ; but I will object to you speaking on behalf of the people of Loughrea (hear, hear).
Dr Burke — I will read it on behalf of the Town Commissioners, as it was by them it was drafted.
Mr Sweeny — All right, you can read it on their behalf.
Dr Burke then read the following address: —
"Loughrea, 7th August.
"To Michael Davitt."
"Sir — We, the Town Commissioners of Loughrea, gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity of presenting you with an address of welcome. The expression of delight on behalf of the people of Loughrea, accorded to you just now, is intensified not alone by your acquaintance with the people on a former occasion, when they were honoured by your presence, but rather by the history of your action for the public weal since that time. As a body, representing the feelings and aspirations of Loughrea (laughter, and no, no), and without fear of contradiction, so index of the feelings of those who reside within an area of miles of the township we desire to convey to you that we shall be always glad to tender you a cead mille failthe. The Irish, as a rule, consider their cead mille failthe the most appropriate way to convey their appreciation of the party to whom they are anxious to pay a tribute of respect.
"Signed on behalf of the Loughrea Town Commissioners.
"John Burke, M.D, D.T.C."

Mr Davitt briefly replied, after which Father Cunningham addressed the people from the window in the following terms. After introducing Mr Davitt he said — Ladies and Gentlemen, I am introducing the orator of the evening (cheers). I must tell you there is little doubt that Michael Davitt was and is the foremost man in the hearts of the Irish people, as he undoubtedly was in the vanguard of Ireland's benefactors (cheers). Mr Davitt was now making a tour through the western coast on business, and as a private citizen, but the grateful people of an oppressed country would never consent to let him have privacy (why should they, amid cheers). The people claim him. He belongs to the people. He cannot carry on private business alone, they must be with him (cheers). The demonstration of this evening declares that the Irish people will never give him up (a voice — Never he will live in their minds for centuries (cheers). Instead of a tour on business his trip has been the triumphant tour of a conqueror (cheers) without arms, without bloodshed (great cheering) ; an idol without idolatry of his many victories over landlordism your reduced rents is a testimony of the truth (cheers). There are some gentlemen in disguise in your midst (cries of the police) who are only too eager to report to Dublin Castle my remarks (groans). I have therefore not to forget that a tyrannical Crimes Act is in force, and must necessarily keep within bounds. Now I have the honour of introducing to you the most distinguished man in Ireland, Mr M Davitt (cheers).

Mr Davitt, after the cheering had subsided, alluded to the visits he had previously made to Loughrea, and bore testimony to the part which its people had played in the Land League movement. Admitting the good that had resulted from the struggle of the past four years he declared there was not one—tenth of the work of the social movement achieved (cheers). Landlordism was brought to its knees. It is true, but it is still powerful enough to take twelve millions a year from this country without giving anything of any benefit whatsoever in return to a people thus robbed of their earnings (cheers). This monster injustice must be redressed in order that the wealth which Ireland produces shall be left in Ireland to increase the comforts of the farmer, multiply the sources of employment for labourers and artisans, and add to the material well being of every other class in the country (great cheering). Now for the achievement of this the full programme of the Land League, you must make the National League as great a constitutional power (hear, hear), as was its predecessor, and this can only be done by enrolling yourselves, farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers in the ranks of the new League (cheers). Consider for a moment how the national cause stands to—day after all the efforts that have been put forth to crush it. From New York to Sanfrancisco, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, away in Australia, beneath the Southern Cross (cheers), and wherever the Irish race is scattered we see that race united looking to us here in Ireland for a continuation of that work which shall vindicate that cause and lead it on to victory (cheers). The full battery of coercion has been brought to bear against Loughrea and the district, and it is no wonder that some people have become lukewarm (a voice very few). I am glad to hear that, from the spirit which is abroad in this district, particularly in Loughrea to—night, and the national sentiment which is blazing from every window in the town, I can see the old cause still alive, and the old determination abroad amongst its patriotic inhabitants. (A voice. And will continue so. Another voice. We have the parcels post to send away the landlords laughter). The few luke warm people I allude to imagine that the great social movement is ended, and that no more benefit is to be got by its instrumentality. This is a great mistake. It is only in its infancy, and the measure of its good to all classes of our countrymen will be the measure of the perseverance with which they will fearlessly demand their full rights and strive for their possession (cheers). Avoid above everything the doing of what will injure the national movement, or bring its chances of speedy victory into danger. This is the only danger which threatens defeat, and if we cannot profit by past experience and rigorously abstain from ministering by outrage or crime to our own defeat, then we are proving to the world that a people devoid of self control are not qualified for the enjoyment of self government (great cheering).

Father Cunningham — Ladies and gentlemen, there is another gentlemen whom I am about to introduce to you. He has come over here to represent to his people the present state of affairs in Ireland, and I will leave to himself to say to you what he thinks. The gentleman is Mr Hayden, an American journalist (great cheering).

Mr Hayden then came forward and was loudly cheered, He said — In Yankee land the Irish are famous for their intelligence, shrewdness and wit. Since I have been in Ireland I have had no reason to alter my preconceived opinion of their character, but I had also given them credit for a fairness which I cannot now endorse. When a Catholic clergyman will take an advantage of a newspaper man who is unaccustomed to speaking, and whose calling in life leads him apart from the platform, and thrusts him willy—nilly before a critical audience, I can only think it a very unfair act (laughter). It was taking an advantage of an innocent abroad (renewed laughter). Still every kite must have its tail, and the bigger the kite the more tail is needed. I suppose the rev chairman thought the big kite, Mr Davitt, got to its full majestic height without a yankee tail (great laughter). So here I am to be a tail to any kite I assure you that I would rather be a tail to the kite, Michael Davitt, than any other in Ireland (applause). Father Cunningham has told you that the Crimes Act is in force, and that he had to be careful of his words. I am not forgetful of it either, the care with which I am guarded, protected, or watched, by those blue coated gentlemen (groans), with little sixpenny sized hats over the thick craniums (laughter), will not let me forget it. Recently I was travelling in a railway carriage. There was a modest quiet young lady sitting near a window. A policeman sat opposite her, he was a dapper chap, and that sixpenny cap held down the parted "bangs" of his forehead as cutely as could any girl (laughter). He made several attempts to draw the young lady into conversation, to all his interrogations and remarks her replies were monosyllabic. Now an Irish policeman is nothing if not modest. Again my gentleman attacked the lady. Afar in the fields stood a shabby shaggy jack ass (laughter). Ladies do not like that word and they say donkey. The bobby knew this. He thought next to getting her into conversation would be to embarrass her. "Miss" said he "can you tell me the name of that animal I see over in the fields there ? I never saw one before." The lady brightened and looked him in the face — not the donkey but the policeman (laughter), and cooly said "I do not know, but from his long ears and silly looks I should take him to be an Irish policeman" (great laughter and applause). I hope the Loughrea girls know the animal too (laughter). My fellow — my fellow citizens I was about to say — for the fact is, there are so many Irish in America that I cannot help regarding all Irish as my fellow citizens (cheers), my observations in this country have led me to believe that the landlord system is the cause of all your evils. There seems to be a war of class. Your extermination to make room for cattle is evidently the aim of the landlords, the system invented the most perfect machine for human degradation on earth. It put a premium on laziness, for if you worked hard, and made good crops, the rent was raised. It put a premium on dirt, you were deemed thrifty, and well able to pay more rent. It put a premium of lieing, for if you were honest, and let the agent know you had a few pounds, or in an old stocking — the latter is much the safest (laughter), you were exacted for the banging gale. It put a premium on ignorance, for if your children went to school, you were adjudged rich to be able to spare their services from the farm, and an increase of rent was ordered at once (cries of quite right). That is the absolute truth of the infernal rack—rent system (cheers). Three centuries of that rule maintained by British bayonets will have a terrible effect on any people. They go farther, my friends, for they let your poor die through starvation and neglect (hear, hear). There lies now beside the wall on Michael J. Daly's estate an old man dying for the want of care and medicine (a voice — he's dead). Did you say he was dead ? (no answer). Ah, I thought it could not be soon. When I saw him on Saturday his arm was rotten. A man examined the arm. I am told he is a physician. How any institute could give such a one a certificate is beyond my comprehension. A good moral character is necessary in my country for a diploma of M D. I tell you the inhumanity of that physician was appalling. He left that arm rotting and stinking without treatment, and told the nurse to go to him on Sunday, and he would prescribe for it (groans). And there are Mick Fallon's children. They are deprived of both parents. A landlord has them in jail (groans), because they will not consent to take their children off the land into the highway without food or shelter. What are you to do ? Close up the ranks. Hoist the black flag against landlordism (cheers). Organise branches of the National League, and let no one into Parliament who is not of you and for you. Let every one put a nail on the coffin of landlordism, and when you do nail the lid on, bury the corpse, and be sure you do it so that there will be no resurrection forever (cheers). Have no wake either (laughter). There will be keening, but let the landlords do that (laughter). They may be assisted by twelve thousand donkeys braying in note (cries of peelers). Don't be scared because the ears stick up above the brains (great laughter). Above the grave I want you to erect a monument of freedom and manhood. Tombstones seldom or never refer to those beneath. There need be no fear that the monument ever will be regarded as to dead landlordism, the ceremonies must be conducted by the Irish Home Rulers and the high priest of the civic formalities will be Michael Davitt (great cheering). When I go back to that greater Ireland beyond the Atlantic do you know I fear I will loose my character. My people cannot believe the stories of just such cases as Jack Burke's and Mick Fallon's. It will take a stack of Bibles to redeem my character (laughter), and a pretty big stick too (laughter). However, I am wiling to run the risk, but I see by looking at my watch it is long after nine o'clock. The curfew clause is in force and I fear to talk longer (go on, go on). No, let it be said that if the clause did no other good it stopped a yankee (laughter) from talking (cheers).

The band then paraded the town for some time, and the people quietly dispersed.