87 44 THREE MONTHS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE. A RECORD OF THE WORKIXG OF THE N"ATIONAL LEAGUE BRANCHES IN IRELAND. FOR THE MONTHS OF JU^'^E, JULY, and AUGUST, 18S7 FOR THE INFORMATION OF PARLIAMENT, THE PRESS, AND THE COUNTRY. (385 !fv7 DUBLIN : HUMT'KREY & ArMOL R, Pk1>TEK; 2 Croaa- Street. THREE MONTHS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE INTRODUCTORY NOTE. This little pamphlet is intended to serve as a sequel to the work on " Ireland in 1887," which the Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union issued a few months since. As such it needs no detailed preface. The publication at this time, of the extracts of which it is made up, is mainly useful and opportune, as showing how the League has in later months conducted its operations ; and the manner in which obscurity is now sought for its unlawful doings. This characteristic is particularly noticeable in the case of persons charged with offences, and making apologies for so-called wrong doings. In previous months the " village tyrants " courted the fullest publicity for their acts, glorying as it were in their flagrant violation of the law ; whereas now names are sup- pressed, and the description of a " certain person " and a " member " frequently occur where names and addresses were formerly given. To enable the reader to grasp the full significance of the League Branch operations, a detailed report is supplied of a typical meeting ; while in order to illustrate what League language means, an instance is recorded of the result attending a Branch denunciation a la mode. [387 [ •> ] A TYPICAL MEETING OF A BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE. Athenry. — The special meeting of the Athenr}' National League, •called by placard, was held on Sunday, June 12th. The Very Rev. E. Thomas, presiding. The Secretary having read the minutes of last meeting, which were signed, The Very Rev. President said the first question arising out of the minutes is that which regards the car-drivers of Athenry who take part in the carrying of police to evictions, and who go to Sheriffs' sales, and who do other emergency work of that kind. As John Coan, who raised the issue at our last meeting, is present, and as there are many here who were absent on that occasion, it might be well that John Coan would come forward and repeat what he said at our last meeting. John Coan : I have nothing to add to what the secretary read. I have only to say that I was upbraided in Loughrea with the inactivity of the Athenry Branch, and that we should be ashamed for allowing cars from Athenry with police to evictions to Loughrea or elsewhere. The Very Rev. President : Are there any of those car-dri\ers here ? Pat Uunleavy was the only member of our National League who drove the police to evictions. Is he here? Pat Dunleavy : I am, your reverence. The Rev. President : You all know Pat Dunleavy ; he was at all times a faithful member of the League ; he will explain to you now why he drove the police, and how he intends to act in future. Pat Dunleavy : The police obliged me by a warrant to go to Loughrea. I refused to go, and I was away from the house when they came again, and my servant boy was obliged to go to Loughrea, and if I were at home I would rather break the horse's legs than carry police to evictions, (Here Pat Dunleavy was very much moved, and said he would never drive a policeman to evictions again). The meeting felt satisfied with Dunleavy's explanation. The Very Rev. President : The other parties who drove police and whose names are on the minutes, are Tom Duddy, Athenry; John Kearney, Athenr>\ Is either of these here ? 'Sir. Dillon : None of them is here. Rev. President : Are any of those who drove their cars present ? [389 [ G ] John Laan : Yes, your reverence, Watt Glynn is here — Jack Kearney's driver, the first man that ever drove a car for him. President (to Watt Glynn): Are you a native of Athenry ? Watt Glynn : I am. President : And you drove police to the Loughrea evictions ? W. Glynn : I did, your reverence, but I will never do it again. President : Do you promise that of ycir own free will and accord before this meeting ? W. Glynn : I do. President : Who are the other car-drivers belonging to Kearney ? Watt Glynn : Martin Badger ; he is a native of Turloughmore, and parish of Lackagh. The Very Rev. President : Is he Clanricard's Badger Mark Jordan : It appears he is now Clanrackrent's Badger. Andrew Keary : He will have to be drawn out of his barrel. Veiy Rev. President : Has he any other driver ? Watt Glynn : He has a young fellow from Loughrea ; his name is Meledy. The Very Rev. President : Athenry is more sinned against than sinning ; and Tom Duddy, who was in the days of the Land League an offender as well as to-day, hails from Monivea. We now come to the second issue pressed by John Coan at our last meeting — How are the traders to deal with these men who arc not members of the National League and who continue to drive the police to evictions ? Thomas Jordan, Newcastle : How is it that these things are going on so long and that the Athenry Branch has taken no notice of it ? Veiy Rev. President : They have lately so developed themselves that Athenr}' can no longer be silent. Thomas Jordan : It is very strange, the men who are obnoxious in Newcastle can get everything they want from the traders of Athenry, while they would seem even for the gains of the price of a pint of porter not to let them out. Denis McDonagh : Your branch never wrote to us who those obnoxious people were. T. Jordan : Bless my soul I Don't you read the Tuam News and see who these parties are ? These are all public facts. T. Earls : Why, every one from Newcastle to the ends of the county Galway knows who Shawnra Soggarth, that drove Father Fahy to gaol, is. Denis McDonagh : Why, you were frightened out of Newcastle by the appearance of two policemen, and you blame the traders of Athenry branch. Rev. P. Colgan : As president of the Newcastle branch I must give that statement an unqualified contradiction. The Newcastle branch was 390] [ ' ] never frightened by policemen, and they never did anything they wp.re afraid of. Tom Jordan : I never saw such cowardice amongst the traders : why not propose a resokition and deal with all such obnoxious characters at once. All the traders present agreed that all cardrivcrs taking part in eviction duty, landgrabbers, and evictors, and other obnoxious persons, be put in the same boat, and that no traders will in future hold any inter- course whatever with such parties until they give up all these practices, which are in direct opposition to the principles of the National League. - Ttiam News, June tyth, 1887. ;5!)T A HANDY GUIDE TO LEAGUE METHODS. The curtailed reports of League Branches which follow, are, as far as the phraseology is concerned, harmless to an extra- ordinary degree — that is to the eye of the ordinary reader. It is just as well, therefore, that some indication should be given, to enable the average student of Irish politics to understand how the game of the Parnellite works, and how the veiled reference of League speeches and resolutions, find their outcome in the bloody workings of Invincible conspiracies. The following Vvill be found useful in this connection : — The Cause. — The Kilrush Branch (Co. Clare) of the National League held their usual fortnightly meeting on Sunday last. The Rev. Father Courtney, presided. Mr. John 'M. Nagle delivered an impassioned address on the urgent necessity of drawing the line of demarcation bet\A-een all real piire-soidcd National Leaguers and an execrable class of characters t'ji their midst known as Rent Warners. The speaker went on to say that even Judas Iscariot was a high-souled character com- pared to a rent warner. He (Mr. Nagle) could speak from a long experience in the east and west of the county. There were such lads hanging about, and everybody should scout them. They were the dirty prop of landlords. (Applause.)— C/c?;'^ Ad^'crtiser, 27th June, 1S87. The Effect. — Yesterday morning printed notices were found by the police posted up in the village of Crusheen, near Ennis, the scene of the firing into the house of Patrick Loughry on Monday night. The notices to threate?i to shoot Ned Kennedy^ a farmer, who is also rent warner on the property of Mr. James Vesey Fitzgerald, D.L., if he does not give up the Farm of Viewmount, from which the widow Stackpoole had been evicted eight years ag^o. The farm had been derelict for a long time till Kennedy took it at half the former rent. Two men, with their faces disguised and armed with revolvers, came into his house on Sunday morning about 7 o'clock. They took him out of bed, and marched him down to the shed of an old house a few yards away, put him upon his knees, and then fired, slightly wounding him in one of his legs. Kennedy then gave up the farm, but took it back again a few months after, and has remained in occupation of it for the past three years. — Irish Times, 19th August, 18S7. .392] L i> ] SECTION A. THE LEAGUE Fl N CER-POSTS. [A selection of Extracts possessing special signifi- cance, and indicating the undercurrents of the agitation.] HOW THE MONEY GOES. Timoleasl'Ue. — The president suggested that the collection be made next week ; that the collection in aid of the Evicted Tenants' P^und could be made after the harvest, and the renewal of members' subscriptions postponed till the 1st of October. The secretary suggested adding the latter to the Evicted Tenants' Fund, but the rev. president said that could not be done without the consent of the Central League, as by one of the rules yj per cefit. of the subscriptions must be sent up^ leaving the other 2') per cejit. for local expenses. — Eagle and County Cork Advertiser, 30th July, 1887. THE LEAGUE FIXES THE RENT. Knockboy.— 5th June, 1887. Rev. R. AIockler presided. The President read a resolution received from Crooke Branch calling on any tenant who was a member of the National League to (on receiving a notice for rent) brirg same befoi-e this branch, so that the questio?t of luliat should be a fair rejit to pay might be considered. — Munster Express, nth June, 18S7. THE LEAGUE OUSTS THE GUARDIANS. Louth. — 31st July, 1887. A deputation representing the branch were appointed to accompany the Sites Fixing Committee of the Board of Guardians in connection with the fixing of sites for labourers cottages in this division. — Dundalk Democrat., 6th August, 1887. [39.3 [ 10 ] STILL COERCING THE GIRLS- Ennis. — Notices were posted on the gate of the Franciscan Church and other public places in Ennis on Sunday morning, cautioning the girls of the town to hold no communication with any policeman, and threaten- ing that the hair would be cut off any girl seen speaking to or keeping company with policemen. It is stated that a pledge having the same object was given by some of the Catholic cleigy in East Clare on Sunday. Midlajtd Tribune, 30th June, 1887. "A DOSE OF NUMBER 2!" Cappa'White. — At the meeting of the Cappawhite Branch of the National League on Sunday, June 12th, the Rev. J. R. Crowe, C.C, V.P., presiding, the following resolution, proposed by John O'Meara and seconded by Michael Dwyer, was unanimously approved of — "That we, the members of the Cappawhite branch Irish National League, condemn the action of James Hayden, labourer, who went to work on a boycotted farm at Glassdrum." Mr. James Ryan (Bawn) : There is another man, a smith, working for a grabber, George Furlong. It was left to the farmers to treat him as he deserved. The secretary was directed to communicate with the Donehill branch, asking its co- operation in making Furlong swallow a dose of Number 2. — Tipperary Naiio7ialisi, June i8th, 1887. HOW THE PEOPLE ARE BROUGHT 'INTO LINE" Mothel 5th June, 1S87. Rev. R.Whklan presided. ProposedbyT. Downey, seconded by J. Walshe : — " That in future no farmers' son be admitted a member, unless his parent be after taking out his card of membership." Proposed by J. Moore, seconded by W. Meehan : — " That all farmers sons already admitted be expelled unless their parents become members of the National League."— J/////^/t7- i:-i;;^;r^-^, nth June, 1887. THE PRIEST'S ADVICE-" CALL AT THE PRESBYTERY.' Kilrush. — The Kihush branch of the League met on Sunday last, June 19th, the Rev. Father Courtney, C.C, presiding. Rev. W. Buckley, C.C, secretary, and Mr. D. R. Hillard, solicitor, attended. In the course of the proceedings Mr. John M. Nagle said : — "^Gentlemen I ask you, hadn't you a National Leaguer in your ranks who is now a rent warner — I mean John Madigan ? It is of no use for us to be here con- tending for the rights of farmers while you have a sneak (j^zV) of this sort in the grass. (Applause.) Ifhe wasmy brother I would oppose him. The fight is to be fought out : coercion is on you, and I say you are bound to make it as hot as you can for the landlords. How can you 394] [ M J bring the landlords to their knees while parties like Madigan are willing to do everything pleasant for them ? I say such fellows should be hunted from the League and boycotted. (Applause.) The speaker said he didn't want to spring a mine on Madigan : he gave him due notice that he would speak of his name, and he asked John Madigan if he was a rent warner, and he said he was. It is now for the League to nail their colours to the mast, and to say whether they would permit black sheep of this kind, who are sellingthe interest of the countiy for their own aggrandise- ment — whether they would sanction that hateful class to be recognised as ordinary members of society, or treat them as you would lepers who were unfit to be associated with — (applause) — that you would neither walk with them, talk with them, sit with them, smoke with them, or drink with them ; but let them go with the landlords, and let both go down together — both of which have been a curse to this country." (Applause.) After some further observations of a similar nature, the Chairman inti- mated that I\Ir. John Madigan be invited to the next meeting of the League, so that he could ofter any explanation he thought well to make. In reply to inquiries made as to who were or were not on the list of honest campaigners, the Chairman said anybody desirous to join the Plan could ascertain the exact number by calling any day at the Presbytery. — Clare Advert isci\]\x\\& 25th, 18S7. "HE MUST JOIN THE LEAGUE OR I SHALL DISMISS HIM.' Fenor. — Mr. T. Crottv presiding. J. Lonergan — I wish to call your attention to the fact that Mr. E, OByrne, Ardnahoe, has in his employ- ment this past three weeks the most notorious emergencyman in these parts — namely, Paddy Norris, mason. Secretary — I called Mr. O'Byrne's attention to the matter a few days since. He has sent me this note — "Ardnahoe, 3rd July, 18S7. " To the Secretary Fenor, &c., "Dear Sir, — I have consulted Norris, and he is prepared to join the League, and if you are not satisfied to have him join I shall be prepared to dismiss him from my employment when he has completed the contract he is at present engaged at. — Yours. &c., " Edmund O'Bvrne." Ned Power — If Mr. O ]5yrne were a member of our branch, I would consider that a most impertinent note. He knows very well Norris is an abandoned sinner, as far as the league is concerned. The latter part of that note simply defies us. A lengthy and animated discussion ensued. Some were for expelling Mr. O'Byrne's father who is a member of the branch, whilst others held that the old man knew nothing about the affair. [39.> [ 1:^ ] Secretary — Mr. Michael O'Byrne is an extreme nationalist. I am quite certain if he knew of the matter, he would not tolerate it for one moment. This work is being done at a distance from his house, and it is quite possible that it should escape his notice. I have learned that Mr. O'Byrne discharged the obnoxious individual, Norris, and further expresses extreme regret that he was ever in his em- ployment. —Mimsfcr Express, July 9th, 1887. P. GOUGH, Hon. Sec. A SIGNIFICANT OMISSION-TOO DANGEROUS TO PRINT IN FULL. LiSSeycasey — 3rd July, 1887. Mr. J. Hennessy presiding. That we regret to see the Land Commissioners have not given to Messrs. Martin Hayes, Pat O'Connell, and Thomas Collins, of Cloncoleraine any abatement in their rents — rents which the landlord thought fit to reduce 15 per cent, on the last gale — and we are of opinion that such acts ***** —C/(f/-^ ir.-.tv?;;//;/^';-, July 9th, 1887. 396J [ l:' ] SECTION B. FORCING ALLEGIANCE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE LEAGUE. [Mr. Balfour. — Would the House allow me to read some of the other heads imder which persons ai'e boycotted ? Care- taking, or herding ; being unpopular as a landlord ; acting as an agent ; associating with boycotted persons ; supplying the police when on unpopular duty ; accommodating obnoxious persons ; not joining the national league, Mr. T. Harrington asked the right hon. gentleman whether he would give any instance where a person had been boycotted for not joining the League. He u-oukl be able to .satisfi/ the hon. gentleman that the information xras not true. — Debate on intro- duction of Crime-'i Bil/, 2Iarch 2S, IS87 : Times' Eeport, March 29, 1887.] Ferns. — The members of the Committee of the Ferns National League will (by kind permission of the Rev Father Marshall, P.P.) attend at the chapel gates, Ferns, on Sunday, the sth June, for the purpose of making the annual collection for Pay the Members Fund at the rate of one penny in the pound on the valuation. God Save Ireland I — E7inisc:irthv Guardian^ 4th June, 1887. Rhode (King's County). — 5th June,i887. — A member of committee stated that on Thursday, the 2nd inst., he had seen young Doyle (the son of one of the men employed on 'Six. Bernard Ennis's evicted farm) enter the shop of Mr. James Ennis,Rhode,on his way to the police barrack —leave a basket, and on his return from the barrack again enter the shop, and after remaining some five minutes came out with his basket loaded with shop goods, and return to the evicted farm. Mr. Ennis was asked, by resolu- tion, to come to the committee rooms, which he immediately did, and on the member, who saw the transaction, repeating the assertion, he denied all knowledge of the matter, said he would make inquiry of his shop assistants, and if such was the case, he would give strict orders that emergencymen would not be supplied from his shop in future. — Lcinsier Leader., nth June, 1887. Bunninadden. — 5th June, 1S87. "The committee men were instructed to canvass their several districts, and have every man in the parish a member of our ranks before the Jubilee Coercion Act becomes law. Although our organisation was never in better form, still there are many in the parish outside our ranks whose names should be on [397 [ 1-1 J our list, and these are requested to come forward at once and join the League, and thus show their contempt for Balfour and coercion. None but cowards who want to shirk their duty to our country and her cause would keep in the background at the present crisis. — Sligo Champion, nth June, 18S7. Lavey. — Meeting, i2th June. Rev. M. Fitzpatrick, P.P., in the chair. Resolved — " That we call on the people of this parish who have not yet renewed their subscriptions to the League funds, to come forward even now, at the eleventh hour, and join the National ranks, as we must regard those who are not wiith us in the coming hour of trial as against n%r— Anglo-Celt, i8th June, 1887. Ballyduff. — J. Dalton in the chair. Mr. T. Dowling said that any person who would not now join the League and show his determina- tion in his country's cause, would be unworthy of the name of an Irishman, and should be handed down to posterity as a coward, and hoped if any person were so cowardly that, at least, a sense of shame and manly feeling would keep him in his country's ranks. — Kcrfy Sentinel, 21st June, 1887. BoystOWn — 19th June, 1887. "That we heartily endorse the action of the Eadestown Branch in demanding a list of members of their branch from the Naas committee, and hereby instruct the hon. sec. of this committee to apply for a similar list."' — Leinster Leader, 2'^'Ci\]\m.Q, 1887. MaugherOW. — 19th June, 18S7. "That * * * * JT * ******** * in order to present a united and unbroken front to our enemies, we invite once more all persons in the district, who are not already members, to enrol themselves in the saving fold of the Irish National League. Further, we call upon any hesitating members of this committee to resign at once the trust so unworthily reposed in them, in order to make way for go-a-head men who, in the hour of trial, will not shirk fearless and manly action."- — Sligo Champion, 2Sth June, 1887. Killarney.— 19th June, 1887 :Mr. John Buckley suggested that they pass a resolution commending the action of Lord Kenmare's labourers, who were dismissed from their employment for not working on Mr. Daniel's .Shea's evicted farm at Cleenes, near the town. The Chairman said it would be better to defer the matter until the -next meeting, as a good deal of the labourers at present in the employ- ment of Lord Kenmare were undecided as to what they would do. One of the labourers who was dismissed, whose name is Forhan, and 398] [ i-> J who was present, stood up and said he was one c^ "he men that was dismissed. Mr. Kelhher— If they refused to work they deserve the sympathy and support of the National League, but they should first join the branch. Ten labourers were dismissed, and only two of these were members of the National League. Mr. Buckley said that of course if they wanted the protection of the National League they should join. — A'eny Sentinel^ 21st June, 1887. Tintern. — 26th June, 18S7. The Rev. President commented on the apathy and cowardly action of those parties who have not jet joined the League in this parish. In a great political crisis like the present inaction is a crime, and those who are not with us we must presume are against us. The action of those parties who are still holding aloof from the National movement is a verification of the saying, "While our enemies joined in hate, we never joined in love." — -The People^ 2nd July, 18S7. Kilmacow — Mr. Jeremiah Cahill presiding. In future the roll will be called at 12.30 p.m. on the Sunday of each meeting, and absent members will be published, so that the public can know the cowards. The committee think it necessary to call the following gentlemen to their assistance, and hope they will attend next meeting, viz : — Messrs. John Hov/ley, Ballinaboly ; Patrick M'Grath, Knockhcuse ; James Der- mody, Moolum ; William Doody, Grannyknock ; John Reilly, Pally- keohan ; James O'Brien, Ballymountain ; Joseph Harney, Kilmacow. — Mutister Express^ 2nd July, 18S7. Gurteen.— 26th June, 1SS7. The action of tvo individuals who were reported to have been in communication with and assisting parties cut off from society, because of having violated the rules of the League, was denounced in the strongest manner possible. The numbenng of the members from each townland in the district showed that in some nearly every house was represented, while in others only a few have joined up to the present. It is, however, expected that the collectors will be a little more energetic during the next fortnight, and see that every person fit to join shall be a member.— 5'//>i? Chattipion, 2nd July, 1887. KilglaSS. — Sunday, the 26th inst. Mr. Luke Padian presided. Members of the committee complained of parties in their districts not observing the rules laid down as a guidance for member^ and the membe gave ample apology and promised to observe the simple rules sooner than have their names cancelled off the record of membership. As there is still a great number of iarmers in this parish without purchasing their [399 [ If! ] cards, they have an opportunity still for doing so as it is marvellous to see whole townlands standing out at this time of day. All outside the loyal minority are expected to avail themselves of the opportunity. — Roscommon Herald^ 2nd July, 1887. Bunninadden.— 3rd July, 1S87. Resolved—" That each member of this committee is hereby strictly required to furnish at next meeting, to be held on August 7th, a complete list of those in his district who have not yet joined the branch. Those outside our ranks will please take notice."' — Sligo Cha}sipion, July 9th, 1887. Ballyduff. — On Sunday the usual weekly meeting of this branch was held in their rooms. J. D ALTON, V.C, presided. The following resolution was proposed : — " That any member of this branch whose sub- scription will not be paid for next Sunday, his name will be published before his friends all over the world."— A't-r^j Weekly Reporter^ 9th July, 1887. Ballingarry (Co. Limerick). — Mr. Reidy presiding. The fol- lowino- was adopted : — " That we call on the members of this branch who have previously been enrolled to rejoin at once, as a stringent resolution similar to that of last year will be enforced ; that is, not to have any communication or dealing with any person who is not a member of the National League, thereby holding aloof at the present crisis." — Munster News^ July 13th, 1887. Clara.— Sunday, 3rd inst. The Rev. Father Smyth presided. The secretary brought under the notice of the committee the conduct of some persons who persisted in violating the resolutions recently adopted by the Leao-ue. It was resolved that these individuals should be taught how base their conduct was, and should moreover be made to feel the just resentment of the people.— J//^/a//^^ Tribune, 14th July, 1S87. Glenbeigh lOth July, 1887. Rev. Thomas Quilter, P.P., pre- siding, strongly advised his people to fall into line at once and to join the National League. If not that he never again would call on any of the Members of Parliament to come to their assistance ; and he (the Presi- dent) cautioned his flock that Rowland Winn, or Mr. Head, or Roe, the burner, were not forgetting them, and if they did not join the League at once that he would never again write to Members of Parliament for them. — Ket'ry Sentinel, 15th July, 1887. St. John's. — nth July, 18S7. Resolved — "That any person not joining on or before next meeting be not accepted after." — Sligo Champion, i6th July, 1887. 400] BOSTON COLLEGE 9031 026 89272 9