Mr. Davitt in Loughrea
The Western News, and Weekly Examiner, 11th August, 1883
On Wednesday evening Mr. Davitt arrived at Loughrea unexpectedly. When it became known that Mr. Davitt was in town a brass band paraded the streets, and a "demonstration" was organised. The entire town was illuminated. A special meeting of the Town Commissioners was held, and an address to Mr. Davitt adopted. Dr. Burke read the address, which referred to Mr. Davitt's sufferings and to his good qualities as an Irish leader.
Mr Davitt, in a brief reply, thanked the commissioners for the great honour they had done him, and said he would be always found defending the people. Later on a large assemblage gathered. It was addressed by the Rev John Cunningham, Loughrea who, in the course of a lengthy speech, spoke of Mr Davitt as the greatest Irishman of our time — a man calculated to lead the Irish people to victory.
Mr Davitt, on coming forward, was loudly cheered. In the course of a very long speech he referred to his many visits to Loughrea, and the position this town occupied in the late Land League movement. Some four years ago (continued Mr Davitt) I delivered a speech in this town, which the authorities considered contained Communists words, but, since that time, the Legislature had to recognise every doctrine proclaimed from the Loughrea platform. Referring to the Land Act, Mr Davitt said it was a blundering piece of legislation: he did not believe in 15 or 20 per cent reductions; landlordism should go, and the sooner the Government recognised that fact the better for them and the Irish people (loud cheers). Irishmen would not cease agitating until every law which impeded the social prosperity of Ireland was swept from the English statute book (cheers). Whey was he so confident? Because the movement was strong in America, beneath the Southern Cross, and in many other countries. Landlordism could not fight a united people — what they were becoming. It could not fight twenty millions of the Irish race. In the course of his speech Mr Davitt denounced outrages, and spoke of the indifference with which the people — he could not accept the people of Loughrea even — treated the National League. He appealed to the people to support the National League, and, in conclusion, said Mr. Gladstone's Government was on its knees — chased from Ulster, and unable to protect the greatest wretch that any Government ever used in governing any country. Mr. Davitt's closing remarks were loudly cheered. He said he would visit Loughrea more regularly in the future. An American journalist named Mr Hayden who is staying here for some time, delivered a speech. The band continued playing up to a late hour. I understand Mr Davitt will remain her for a few days. He intends visiting some of the local properties, and reporting on the state of the people. Full report of the meeting in next issue.