Mr. John Dundon, solr., who was received with cheers said: "Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Fellow countrymen: In the newspapers of Thursday last it is stated that the following amendment to the Franchise Bill of the Government is to be moved by the Right Hon. James Lowthe:- "That the House considers that to largely increase the electoral privileges of the Irish People at a time when vast numbers of the population are bitterly opposed to the English connection, when the object of their leaders and Representatives in Parliament, openly vowed, is to sever that connection, and establish the National Independence of Ireland, and when the Government dare not even trust them with the full enjoyment of their ordinary civil rights, is inexpedient and dangerous to the welfare of the State, and cannot fail, with the present proportion and distribution of seats, to give strength and encouragement in the prosecution of their aims to the Separatist Party in Ireland (cheers). Now the words of the resolution so brutally framed as becomes Mr. Lowther, convey a lesson of pregnant meaning not only to Irishmen but to Englishmen also; and as they will form the ground work of arguments intended to be addressed to the English Parliament against including Ireland in the Franchise Bill, let us consider them a little from an Irish point of view, and see how they constitute the most fruitful and effective argument in behalf of the fulfilment of that great hope contained in the toast to which I have now the honour of replying "Ireland a Nation" (cheers). It is now seven hundred years since the first Norman landed on the Wexford coast. For two centuries and a half of that time the English Government have held supreme control in Ireland. During all that time the Irish People have never ceased to fight and struggle for their National Independence; they have in the words of that amendment ever been bitterly opposed to the English connection (hear, hear).

As against that struggle and the opposition but one uniform system of government has been tried: a system maintained down to the present hour; seeing that we are now living under the most ruthless coercion act that was ever framed by English hate and England's necessities for the misgovernment of Ireland (hear.) And what is the grand outcome of it all? That English misrule has reduced this country to such a pass as makes it necessary, even now, in the last quarter of the 19^th century, that such an amendment should be moved by Mr. Lowther (groans) an amendment which is intended to deprive Ireland of what must necessarily tend to the speedy fulfilment of the best hopes of the Irish people. If the words of that amendment are true, if the description of the present condition of Ireland which they represent is correct, and

that these words are true, and the description correct, is the belief not only of the great party whom Mr. Lowther represents and one of whose spokesmen he is, but also, as I think, of the vast majority of Englishmen- then I ask the English people, and those who, amongst ourselves who doubt and waver, than this amendment what more effective commentary on English rule in Ireland has ever been written (hear, hear, and cheers). Am I not entitled to say to the English people, your rule in Ireland has been a huge failure, and a cruel wrong. It has borne no good or wholesome fruit. It is as the barren fig tree of the Gospel- cut it down, away with it. Why cumbereth it the ground (cheers). But from the point of Ireland a Nation there is more in this amendment, and that is its author. Selected - as judging from results, I believe for being a bore and a blunderer, he was sent here with ample scope to display his innate incapacity, and to gratify the sleepless hate of the late Prime Minister of England, who never forgot or forgave; and who was once described by the greatest of Irishmen as "the lineal descendant of the impenitent thief on the cross." Mr. Lowther has filled the great

post of Irish Chief Secretary (hear). He is one of the men of "light and learning" of that great English party whose principles and methods of government have worked some of the cruellest wrongs of Ireland, and are still the most powerful obstacles to its progress and development (hear, hear).

In the shuffling of English politics, it may come to pass, with that contempt of Irish feelings which is so characteristic of English parties, that Mr. Lowther will be again made Irish Chief Secretary, and I ask can any stronger argument be used in favour of the principle "Ireland a Nation," than that a quick-witted, a sensitive, and a brave people should be governed by such a man, who, in the true spirit of the despot, would convert the condition of this nation; a condition mainly brought about by the misconduct and mismanagement of his countrymen, into an argument against any relief to, or relaxation of his odious tyranny! (hear, hear). In reading the lives of the men who have been the greatest benefactors of the human race, nothing is more touching and pathetic than to come across the reiterated complaint that they lived before their time, and that their contemporaries could not or would not understand their claims and their work. Well I do not think that his biographer will make that complaint about Mr. Lowther (laughter).

On the contrary, judging by his words and works, when he was for six weary years Chief Secretary for Ireland, I am inclined to say that the verdict will be he lives after his time, he should have been in his prime when slave driving was an institution and

profitable pursuit (hear, hear,) and if he had lived a century ago, he would have made a fit coadjutor to Lord Castlereagh in the murderous work of the Union (hear, hear.) Ireland a Nation is, from an English stand point, only a sentiment- but what a sentiment it is, nor have we been left in doubt as to its clear meaning and purpose. It is in short the Declaration of Irish Independence, moved by Henry Grattan on the 16th of April, 1782, in the Parliament House in College Green, these words: -

"That the Kingdom of Ireland is a distinct kingdom with a parliament of her own,

the sole legislature thereof, that there is no body of men competent to make laws to bind the nation but the king, lords, and commons of Ireland, nor any Parliament which hath any authority or power or any sort whatever in this country, save only the Parliament of Ireland, to assure his Majesty that we humbly conceive that in this right the very essence of our liberty exists, a right which we, on the part of the people of Ireland do claim us their birthright, and which we cannot yield but with our lives (great cheering).

The Irish people make the same claim now that was made by Grattan then. That claim was then allowed, and confirmed in the most solemn way. The Irish people demand that it shall be allowed and ratified anew, and when it is, I think we may safely promise that no fraud no chicanery will again wrest it from us. Now we know that the Irish Independent Parliament in strife and in difficulty lasted for only 18 years, but we know, because it has been recorded in words that will never die what was done for Ireland in those short eventful and ever memorable years (hear, hear). Briefly touching on that subject, it is with feelings of deep awe that I venture to quote the noble language in which Grattan describes the effect of that declaration on Ireland and England:

"Do you remember" he says addressing the Irish Parliament on a subject which next to the independence of the country was next to his heart, the redress of the national grievances, "Do you remember that night when you gave your country a free trade and with your hands opened all harbours. That night when you gave her a free constitution and broke her chains of slavery while England stood eclipsed by your glory, and your island arose as it were from it and got nearer the sun.

In the arts that polish life; the intentions that accommodate, the manufactures that adorn it, you will be for many years inferior to some parts of Europe; but to nurse a growing people to mature a struggling though hardy community, to mould, to multiply, to consolidate, to inspire and exalt in a young nation be these labours and accomplishments"(cheers). Well, as I have said, Irish National Independence only lasted for eighteen years, and as a result we know that during that time Ireland made long strides in the paths of progress and civilisation and have we not good and reasonable grounds for believing that if National independence had continued

not for eighteen but 100 years down to the present time, if the words of Grattan, the

work of nursing, of maturing, of multiplying of consolidating, had been allowed to go on uninterruptedly, the inferiority of which Grattan speaks would have been wiped out.

Yes, if that independence had continued for the 100 years would not all the reforms which have since taken place from Catholic Emancipation to the present Franchise Bill, in far quicker time have taken place from within and not from without (hear, hear)

Not as the grudging dole of happy and prosperous England to unhappy and poverty stricken Ireland not as the surly granted reward of the agitation of a people who have been taught over and over again, the bitter and desperate lesson that nothing is to be gained except by agitation (hear, hear) - but as the free handed gift of a native Parliament to a free and grateful country. Would not such reforms so granted

and so received have changed the face of the country? The mud cabins would no longer exist as they do for the laws made by their own Parliament would now prevail amongst Irishmen.

Irishmen would be law abiding and law respecting (hear, hear). The terrible

distrust of justice which now permeated the country from the smallest Petty Sessions Court to the Queen's Bench would no longer prevail, "Yes," to use the language of a great Irish orator- the noble qualities of the intellect and of the heard which the hand of Omnipotence has stamped upon the Irish people, directed to the wise purpose for (ILLEG TEXT...) heaven designed then would have since assuredly as they will yet redeem regenerate and exalt the country (cheers). "Ireland a Nation!"- the words are simple and how beautiful they are, what a sound and a cadence there is in them -

how they rouse the heart and make the pulse to beat. What a flood of recollections they call up! How they remind us of the "battles, sieges, and tortures" through which Ireland has passed. What lessons of faith of constancy, of virtue, of trial and of

sufferings borne and endured here; and looking back at the centuries which have elapsed since the Christian era began, at the changes which have taken place since, how thrones and dynasties have been swept away- how "kingdoms are shrunk to provinces, and chains clang o'er sceptered cities," how the greatest empires the world ever saw has been broken into fragments, how the seven hilled city, which was its heart and centre, and called immortal has become the (ILLEG TEXT...) of Nations, the lone mother of dead empires- how the red tide of revolution with its handmaid irreligion has rushed over Europe; how, during seven long centuries of that time Ireland in spite of the most persevering and deadly efforts for the destruction of both, has preserved its faith and its nationality (cheers); how its people driven by the most relentless persecution from their own country have become and ever increasing power and influence in the land of their adoption; how those exiles of Erin and their descendants have been, and are more national than the Irish themselves (cheers).

Looking at all these things with reverent heart, trying to understand and make out their meaning, believing as I believe, and you believe in a Supreme Rule of the universe, believing in His Omnipotence as believing and humbly trusting in His mercy - is it too much to say that Almighty God has shown a special and providential care of the Irish race, and that he has destined them in His own good time to a great future (cheers). That it is so, I am humbly convinced, and I could draw in faint and adequate words a verbal picture of that future, but I will do so in a way better. I will give you the picture as drawn by the master hand of one of the very greatest of Englishmen, of one of the very few men of that nation, who loves because he understands Ireland, whose name and fame is a house-hold word in Ireland, and is near and dear to the hearts of Irishmen.

John Henry Newman (cheers) writing on a subject which was then close to his heart, and casting about in his mind for a fit habitation for his Ideal University, he cast his eyes on Ireland, and writes thus - "I look towards a land both old and young, old in its Christianity, young in the promise of its future, a nation which received grace before the Saxon came to Britain, and which has never quenched it, a Church which comprehends in its history the rise and fall of Canterbury and York, which Augustine and Paul in as found and Pole and Fisher left behind them. I contemplate a people which has had a long night and will have an inevitable day. I am turning my eyes towards a hundred years to come, and I dimly see the Island I am gazing on become the road of passage and union between two hemispheres, and the centre of the world. I see its inhabitants rival Belgium in populousness, France in vigour and Spain in enthusiasm. I see England taught by advancing years to exercise in its behalf that good sense which is her characteristic towards everyone else (cheers)." Thirty years only have elapsed since that vision was seen and drawn by Cardinal Newman, and is there any one who, considering what has taken place during that thirty years will deny that many things have been done in Ireland towards its realisation, and that before a hundred years have expired the vision will be fulfilled and the future finished in Ireland a Nation. I have endeavoured to shadow forth feebly and in a manner unworthy of what these words mean.

Have I not shown that the Irish people in their struggle for the fulfilment of the hope

contained in those short but comprehensive words displayed, to use the words of the great epic poet of England:

"The unconquerable will immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield And what is else not to be overcome."(hear).

Out of those lines I have deliberately kept back four words and they are these "and study of revenge."

The Irish people neither wants nor seeks any study of revenge, they want but simple justice and the sooner the better because when the case is proved, and the hour is come, justice delayed is justice denied. When that justice is done us in Ireland, we may well hope once for all that we shall "Raze out the written troubles from her brain, Pluck from her memory the rooted sorrow" Yes, the day of the final consummation of the hopes of Ireland will come, and when the Act of Parliament is passed that gives the force of law to the words "Ireland a Nation," a work of peace and of justice will have been done. It will be received with rejoicing shouts in every land where the name of Ireland is known. To Ireland a Nation in her proper place of pride I do now take upon myself on behalf of the great mass of my countrymen represented in this day's demonstration on behalf of the other millions of Irishmen in every clime to say with reverent and tender heart, and with happier omens, - est perpetua (applause).

The next toast given was that of "Our Guests" coupled with the names Mr. Davitt and Mr. Dawson, The toast was received with applause.

Mr. Davitt, in returning thanks, said they should not forget their exiled countrymen in America, Patrick Egan, Thomas Brennan, John Dillon and others (cheers). When he was reminded of Andrew Kettle and other distinguished Land Leaguers who had to a certain extent faded from public memory (cries of no, no), he was inclined to tax the Irish people with ingratitude. They had drunk with great kindness the toast of his health that evening. He had spent a good portion of his life in prison, but he had not suffered, as some seemed to imagine- he had not suffered, for that was impossible while he was associated with the love for Ireland and her people, and in the assertion of a principle. He felt that he was there because he loved Ireland and aspired to make her a nation unfettered by any connection with the British Empire (loud applause). Be it the nine years he had spent in prison, or the efforts he made since he came out, he thanked the people of Limerick for the kindness they had shown him. If his life were prolonged to the allotted three score and ten he felt that time would settle accounts between him and the British Empire (loud cheers). As he had said to day, he was not at all satisfied with the results of the Land League agitation. The benefit had been exaggerated, as the Irish people were prone to exaggerate in such things. They should look to the future, be prepared for renewed efforts for Ireland, and to carry on the struggle of the last four years (applause). He felt proud to think he had done his share of the work, which had knitted together in one powerful organisation, the scattered Irish race throughout the world (applause). They should not mind the Coercion Act, for the British Government had it at all times in their power to put a man into prison if they thought he was dangerous (hear, hear).

Mr. Davitt, in conclusion, warmly thanked the meeting for the enthusiastic manner in which he had been received in Limerick, the day being one of the pleasantest and happiest he had spent for the past five years (loud applause).

Mr. Dawson, who was received with prolonged cheering, said that he had felt himself out of place in every part he had to play during the very agreeable, and pleasant proceedings they had passed through that day, and he more than once felt that he should vacate the platform and position of guest, and go down amongst his fellow-citizens, and be the host of the distinguished recipient of the honours of Limerick on that day. But he was honoured because of the great and distinguished honour which the people of Dublin had conferred on him- a Limerick man - because he had humbly tried to do his duty (applause). He remembered some years ago, that it was remarked in Limerick that political life in Dublin was stagnant - that it seemed contrary to all physical laws that the extremities of a body should be sending life and health to its heart, for they were sending life and health to its heart, for they were sending life and death to Dublin- the heart of the country-and they could scarcely revivify it, but in the course of time, when the country had begun to re-assert itself - instead of the unnatural process of the extremities revivifying the heart, Dublin was now performing its legitimate functions, and was sending its streams of the revivifying life of national principle through the length and breadth of the country (applause). The people through the country were determined to put men representing the national feeling into every representative position and with the aid of the Active Irish Party in Parliament, and Mr. Davitt and the Priests of Ireland at home, they would soon realise their fondest hopes, and have their country occupying an independent position (applause).

The Chairman then gave the toast of "The Irish Hierarchy and Clergy," coupled with the names of the Rev. D. Fitzgerald, P.P., St.Mary's; Rev J. White, P.P., Miltown Malbay, and Rev. M. Ryan, Adm., Pallasgreen (applause).

He said it was a toast that was always well received in an assemblage of Irishmen, and very properly so for the Bishops of Ireland from the earliest days had struggled for the independence of the country and presiding over their own diocese was a Bishop whose patriotism was as sterling and as warm as that which animated the prelates of old (applause).

Rev. D. Fitzgerald, P.P., on rising to respond was loudly cheered. He said he felt

greatly honoured at having his name coupled with the important toast, and he should first in his brief reply, compliment the Chairman, who as a Protestant had spoken so nicely in relation to the Lord Bishop of this Diocese and also, on the high position he filled there that evening, as Chairman of their banquet (cheers.) The toast to which he had to speak was one on which a great deal could be said before the subject would be exhausted, or on which very little need be said it required also few words to recommend it to their best feelings. In Ireland there was no subject held a higher pause, or was dearer to the hearts of the people than the National Faith and its Ministers, from the Supreme Head of their Church on earth to the humblest Priest who fulfilled its adored functions (cheers.)

There was no sacrifice they were not prepared to make for it, there was no sacrifice - no matter how great, they had not made for it, for in times done by they had forfeited their property - they had forfeited their homes and country- they had forfeited their lives to defend it (cheers.) The great feature in the history of Irishmen was devotion to faith and fatherland from the days of St. Patrick they had deserted neither their Religion nor their Nationality no matter how grievous, the persuasion (cheers.) That with their history from the beginning - that would be their history to the end (cheers.) At present they had at the head of their Church a body of Bishops that yielded to none in the history of Home and their universal Church (hear.) The wisdom, and learning, and devotion of the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church, stood out in brilliant array, in the records of men throughout every part of the civilised globe (hear.) He might prove this by indisputable evidence, did he think it well to detain them, that evening, but it was unnecessary, particularly in speaking in Catholic Limerick (cheers.) Let him for instance, call their attention to an illustrious example of what he said, in the noble minded, patriotic Archbishop of Cashel (prolonged cheering), who was a host in himself; and permit him, also, to name their own good, Bishop, Dr. Butler

(enthusiastic cheering), who so wisely ruled their diocese, and who, though so retiring, they knew had a heart as true and devoted to his country as could be found in land, and who was never backward in showing it when occasion required (renewed cheering). He (the Rev. Speaker) hoped that such a spirit would always continue, and that the people of their down trodden country and race would never lack friends and supporters amongst the Bishops of Ireland (cheers). It was true that very determined efforts have been lately made to try and separate the Bishops and Priests from the good and noble people of Ireland in the recent agitation for the objects of the national aspirations, but they failed (cheers). They had all heard or read of what the treacherous, pledge breaking Errington was capable of doing (groans) - but it would, indeed, be an extraordinary revolution in society that enabled such intrigues to succeed, and he could not imagine anything possible that would bring it about (cheers). They had read from time to time, the patronising lectures given them by the Catholic "Tablet" of London, and the advice offered them by the Catholic aristocracy of England, as to what the Bishops and Priests of Ireland ought to do in times of public excitement, but it badly became any of these to lecture the Irish Priesthood or the Irish people, for they well knew how keenly these English wise acres looked to the loaves and fishes in their own positions (laughter).

These English gentlemen always looked more to their standing with the powers that be than to personal sacrifice, but the Bishops and Priests of Ireland, in the great struggles for national independence, were never known to adopt a course which was unworthy of their country, or that could give pain to the people who venerated and loved them (prolonged cheers). It was not so with Catholic England, there they had abandoned the dearest interests of religion; there it had ceased to be a national faith - though there were signs of returning to its allegiance, and they ought rather seek advice from the Irish, who can set them such noble examples of how faith and patriotism may flourish together, than to be intruding their subservient opinions upon them.

He would not detain them any longer seeing that two very learned and patriotic Priests were yet to address them in relation to this toast- two clergymen who had been in the front of the battle whilst he had only been an humble follower in the national cause (cheers). He would now leave the matter in their hands, and conclude by thanking them again for the great honour they conferred in coupling his name with the toast (loud cheers).

Rev. Father White, P.P., was received with applause. He said he felt how unequal he was for the task that had been imposed on him. He was certain that even Ireland herself-remarkable as she was amongst nations for the eloquence of her sons could not lay claim to a tongue equal to the theme on which he had to speak- that vast comprehensive theme of the Prelates and Priests of Ireland (applause).

There was not a page in the history of Ireland that did not contain a record of the

sacrifices and labours of the Bishops and Priests in the cause of nationality (hear,

hear). From the day of the Prelate Prince Cormac of Cashel down to the present time,

when a worthy successor fills the Sea cheers for Dr. Croke] - there was never a

struggle made in the cause of Ireland in which the Bishops and Priests did not share

(applause). It was something to remember that in one period of their history the followers of O'Neill and O'Donnell ranged themselves under the standard of a Catholic Bishop - one McMahon of Monaghan [applause]. It was not for religion alone that Plunkett was martyred in England (hear). It was not for religion alone that Bishop O'Brien was hanged in the streets of Limerick (hear, hear). It was not for religion alone that McEgan of Ross sacrificed his life (hear, hear). They were as attached to the country as they were to their creed and England reeked her vengeance on them as much because they were as patriotic Irishmen as they were devout Catholics (hear).

When the present political struggle commenced, and the people began to move, the Bishops and Priests did not lag behind (hear, hear). In the Land League movement the Priests took an active part, and helped to found that solid union which now exists between the Irish race all the world over (applause). The Priests have as little love as anyone present for the law England exercises in this country (applause). They were not content to abate one single jot or title of Ireland's right.

Let the Irish people struggle on for liberty and let them rest assured that the Clergy

would be ever at their side (applause). The Priests would bless the banners of the people of Ireland- they would, at least, reverence those banners, but some of them would do much more (great applause). The Priests were not content with English rule (applause). They would struggle with the people, and would never return into the sanctuary and devote themselves exclusively to their sacred duties until through the length and breadth of the land everyone enjoyed the fruits of God - given liberty - until in the words of one of their greatest poets, "Ireland was a Nation once again" (enthusiastic applause).

The Rev. Michael Ryan, Administrator, Pallasgreen (who was very warmly received) also responded, and said - This toast is one that would be well received at any banquet in any part of the world, where Irishmen were the guests (hear). Therefore, I am not surprised that it has met such an exceedingly warm and enthusiastic reception in this grand old City in Catholic Limerick, whose brave sons and braver daughters, two hundred years ago, in the days of the Violated Treaty, shed tears of blood over their martyred Bishop, Terence Albert O'Brien (cheers). The Hierarchy and Clergy of Ireland have ever been wound up with the struggles and the dearest interests of the Irish people. Of the people, they are constituted for the people in the things that are of God, and they will always be with the people in every rightful effort for their independence (hear, hear). I say every rightful effort, for no matter how desirable the end, if the means be not rightful and lawful, the Hierarchy and Clergy must say "non possumus" (hear, hear). History proves this In the darkest days of persecution when they were hunted down like wolves and a price put upon their heads, did they abandon their flocks? Did they lose the faith as was the case in proud, perfidious Albion (hear, hear).

Did they show themselves hirelings or wolves in sheep's clothing? No; they abandoned everything that the world holds dear- yea, their very lives in order to attend to the spiritual and temporal necessities, and to defend their civil and religious liberty (cheers).

And history repeats itself. What the Irish Bishops and Priests did in the past, they would be prepared to do again, and again, if the cause of faith or fatherland required that of them (cheers). The Bishops of Ireland are unsurpassed by those of any other nationality. At the Vatican Council, they were the admiration of the assembled. Prelates of the world, and were universally admitted to be the most apostolic body of Prelates in the Church - (cheers). They are men of great learning, vast experience, the cream of the priesthood - men of profound piety and probity, who have been tried and not found wanting, before they are elected to their high and responsible office. Need I go outside the walls of your city to show you all these qualities personified in the noble and patriotic Bishop of Limerick (cheers). Or, if you prefer, you can bring to your minds the great metropolitan of Munster, our beloved Archbishop Croke, who is the stoutest pillar of the Irish Church, and perhaps, the most uncompromising foe of British misrule in Ireland (hear, hear). If I could borrow his eloquent tongue for a quarter of an hour I would be able to respond creditably for the Hierarchy and Clergy of Ireland. But, sir, the Bishops and Priests of Ireland are not confined to the limits of our island. As in the times when we enjoyed the incomparable title of Island of Saints and Doctors, so today Irish Bishops and Priests are gone out as from another Propaganda, and form, in a great measure, the Hierarchy and Clergy of all - English speaking countries (hear, hear).

Even by a stroke of Providence, that nation, that did all that infernal and earthly
wickedness could invent to stamp out our faith, to rob and plunder us is now getting

back the faith from Irish Bishops, Priests and people. This is the way Providence has of taking vengeance (hear, hear). Sir, I doubt if in the palmiest days of the ages of Faith, the pulse of pure patriotism and true religion ever beat stronger or healthier in

the heart of the Irish nation. With a united and determined Hierarchy, with a sympathising, active Clergy, and crimeless, faithful people, we are sure to win the regeneration of our country- (prolonged cheers).

The Chairman gave the toast of "Our leader, Mr. Parnell and the Active Irish

Party, compiled with the name of Mr. John O'Connor of Cork."

The toast was drunk with all honours.

Mr. O'Connor who was warmly received, said in response that he did not know why his name should be associated with such a toast except it was because of the fact that he had something to do with sending the latest recruit to the rank of the active Irish party (cheers for Mr. Deasy, MP,) when the vacancy occurred in Cork, and when he heard that Mr. Deasy was a candidate, he asked was he ready to lay down his life for his country and did he hate the English Government with all the power of his soul (applause) for unless he was ready to give up his life and so hated the British Government he would not be a fit representative of Cork (hear, hear). These were to his mind the qualifications of an Irish representative; and the reason the Irish people supported Mr. Parnell and his party was the cause amongst that parts were men of that stance (applause). Mr. Parnell had inaugurated a new policy - a policy of fight that would always recommend itself to the Irish people and would receive the support of those who would prefer fighting outside to fighting within Parliament (cheers for '67).

The Chairman gave the toast of our Fellow Countrymen in Exile, coupled with the name of Rev. Eugene Sheehy, C.C. Kilmallock

The toast was warmly greeted.

Father Sheehy received a great ovation when he arose to respond. He said that at no

Public dinner should the memory of the exiled sons of this country be passed over in golden silence, and if there was any spot within the circles of the Irish shores, in which the memory of the exiles should be perpetuated to inspire the people with courage and hope, it was that City of the Broken Treaty from which the flower of the Irish peasantry to sail for a foreign land, carrying with them their swords to advance the ambition of foreign kings - leaving their country at home in the gloom of despair which found its echo in their own sad and broken hearts (applause). When the looms of Ireland as well as the liberties of Ireland were ruined by the laws of William the Third, the thousands who were then forced to quit Ireland for America had planted in that country a tree which had borne very bitter fruit for England for when the day of reckoning arrived those who wrested America from the grasp of England were Irish exiles (hear, hear, and applause). There were two political points on which the mind and feelings of the Irish race in America were thoroughly united. The land question and the national question were the two topics upon which persons spoke, and to which audiences listened during his tour some two years ago through the States. The Irish in America claim by all means the destruction of Irish landlordism (applause), but he wished to draw their attention to the fact that they looked on American landlordism with different feelings. An Irishman in America asked him had he any fault to find with American landlordism and he replied that he found no fault with American landlordism in the abstract, but he did find fault with it in the concrete (hear, hear). He found fault with Irish landlordism because it made existence for every Irishman in this country incompatible with human comfort but he wished to tell his hearers that Irishmen in America were desirous of investing their money in landed property in that country, and they did not want to set rolling in Ireland a ball that might soon roll over to their own shores. Therefore, if the people at home wanted to get from their brethren across the Atlantic money and moral and material aid, they should limit the exertions to the destruction of Irish landlordism and to the establishment of an occupying proprietory (hear, hear).

A Voice: Down with landlordism everywhere!

Father Sheehy: The Union Jack was a thing which the Irish in America wanted to get

severed from (laughter). They would never rest satisfied until they had legitimate independence in the country, and the destruction of landlordism was to be a stepping-stone to that final accomplishment (applause). They had among them here in

Ireland a short time since a person that was a sort of hybrid between an Anglo Englishman and a Yankee. That person told them the great English race - as he styled them- that they were destined to be a great force in the future of the world's history, that they burned like (ILLEG TEXT) while the Irish flamed up at once, and burned (ILLEG TEXT) like chips [cheers and groans for Henry George]. He (Father Sheehy) denounced that statement as an untruth.

He challenged any one to point out the history of the world to a stronger, fight (ILLEG TEXT) a more determined resistance to oppression than the fight of the Irish people for national existence (hear, hear). And yet here was the Yankee peddler with his time-beaten wares telling Irishmen that there were nothing compared to the great Anglo-Saxon race [groans]. Persons who thus speak about Ireland would not dare to use such language in any city in America where the Irish race was strong [hear, hear, hear].

The people of Limerick on that day had declared their resolve to do away with landlordism - they would establish pleasant propriety in its place - they would make the honest farmers of Ireland and the labourers of Ireland the owners of the land they tilled; they would plant the standard of Independence in this country, and would have nothing to do with those whose wild and visionary schemes of dealing with the land of Ireland, which were advocated by the Yankee personage to whom he had referred [applause].

A Voice - A cheer for Davitt and Henry George![prolonged cheering].

The Chairman gave the toast of the National League, coupled with the name of the

Rev. R. J. Ambrose, C.C, President of the Limerick branch of the League. The toast having been duly honoured.

Father Ambrose, who was received with applause said that the first item in the

programme of the National League was the restitution to the Irish people of the right

to manage their own affair in a Parliament elected by the people of Ireland and as that

question had been very eloquently dealt with in the two first speeches of the evening he would not dwell on it, but would treat of other kindred subjects. He was glad to

perceive from several indications during the day's proceedings that the people had made up their minds that they should destroy landlordism (hear, hear). A great deal has already been done in that direction - the back of that system was broken (applause), thanks to the brain of the man who founded the Land League, and the efforts of the men who had taken part in the great fight and the efforts too of the noble women of Ireland who had carried on the struggle when the men were in gaol (applause). From what they had seen during the day they might feel certain that the hearts of the people were not cowed (hear, hear). All they had got to do was to perfect their organisation and the fight was as good as won (hear, hear).

By all means carry on the Parliamentary struggle - by all means recruit the ranks of the gallant Parliamentary party by the sort of men described by Mr. O'Connor. Supply Mr. Parnell with such men, and pay them (hear, hear, and applause). The farmers of Limerick were quite willing to contribute their share for such purpose (hear, hear), and would no longer send men to an alien Parliament to betray them after (ILLEG TEXT) (hear, hear, hear). They were determined to turn their attention to organisation and he hoped in a short time to have branches of the National league in every parish in the county (applause). He wished to say that he did not quite agree with Father Sheehy's observations regarding Henry George (applause). They were all determined on the destruction of landlordism, but it was quite another question what order of things would be established afterwards (hear, hear). He believed in the system that would take a little of the taxation off the working classes and throw it on the land. That was the system which Henry George advocated, and he (Father Ambrose) did not see what offence such a doctrine could give anyone (applause).

The next and last toast was that of "The Press," which was duly honoured.

The proceedings were brought to a close by the entire audience standing up and singing "God Save Ireland".

END