The Nationalists’ Conventions at Work.

Evening Star, Issue 6771, 28 November 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Nationalists’ Conventions at Work.

[‘New York Herald.’] AT DUBLIN. The Pillar Room in the Rotunda, long famous as the scene of public meetings, has seldom been so crowded as it was on October 13 with the third Parnell Convention that has been held in Dublin. Under British domination, ten years ago, Mr Parnell began here his public career as a candidate for the country. He was ignominiously defeated then by Colonel Taylor. Now, he comes again with full fervor ami determination to destroy the Castle power, but the extension of the franchise is now his weapon. Dublin at present forms a north and south division. In the former the Nationalists claim 9,000 majority as a result of careful registrations. In the southern division, including Rathmincs and Kingstown, favorite refuges of half-pay officers, small landlords and official pensioners, the parties are more evenly balanced. The Nationalists claim 2,000 majority. This estimate, however, is little more than a guess, as it is based on the relative number of Roman Catholics to all other denominations. The Nationalist leaders calculate that as many voters of Protestant tenets will support the popular candidates as there may be Catholic officials and landlords to vote against them. ’ The light is likely to be a close one, as the Loyalists will use their utmost endeavors to wrest the southern division from the Parnellites. Under these circumstances it will easily be understood with what anxiety the result of the Convention was looked forward to.

The delegates represented all elements of the social scale—professional men, farmers, and traders. They presented a quiet demeanor, and seemed earnest, resolute, and intelligent. Mr Davitt was one of the delegates. Dublin city, being a separate district, was not represented. Seme time was occupied in examining the credentials. Mr Parnell arrived from Cork at about half-past one o’clock. His entrance was the signal for an enthusiastic reception from the delegates. He took the chair, and immediately opened the business of the day.

Messrs Sexton, Dillon, Healy, and Harrington were in attendance to watch the progress of events. Three candidates were proposed —Mr Clancy, one of the editors of the 1 Nation,’ a well-known man, tried and trusted; Mr Field, an advanced democrat and land nationaliser; and Sir Thomas Henry Grattan Esmonde, Baronet, of Ballynastragh (Wexford). Mr Field gracefully withdrew his candidacy in favor of Sir Thomas on public grounds in a speech which won admiration from all present. This action left only two candidates for the two divisions and facilitated unexpectedly the work of the Convention.

For two hours the proceedings wore conducted in private. When the doors were thrown open to the public the candidates had been adopted. How the result was attained can be judged only from the character of the public proceedings which followed. As soon as the doors were opened every vacant space was filled by the general public. Mr Parnell rose to announce the selection of Mr Clancy and Sir Thomas. The new-comers received the Irish leaders with ringing cheers, repeated again and again. The character of the assembly changed at once. The delegates caught the infectious enthusiasm and Mr Parnell received an ovation.

A curious contrast was seen between the Irish leader and his followers. While the sympathetic Celts absolutely seethed with excitement, tried to express their attachment and admiration in cries and cheers, and sat waving, stamping, and clapping their hands, Mr Parnell stood bolt upright like a statue of ice, apparently unconscious of the din, the uproar, and the sea of faces before him flushed and illuminated by enthusiasm. He was seemingly unmoved by the great outburst of generous passion, save for a sad but not unkindly smile, so subtle, so evanescent, that it seemed to dawn on his face and then as suddenly die. When calm settled on the assembly Mr Parnell proceeded in a quiet and deliberate way to congratulate the Convention on its unanimity in arriving at a selection of candidates. Even from his guarded phrases it was easy to gather the subject of the discussion during the private session. After welcoming Mr Clancy to the ranks as a tried soldier, he passed on. “ Sir Thomas,” said the Irish leader, “ is a young man ; but his declarations are in every respect satisfactory, especially coming as they do from a grandson of Henry Grattan. It may be an objection in some minds that he is a landlord, but he takes a pledge which implies unavoidable sacrifice, loss of position, and suffering on his part. Can we refuse to believe that he is animated with honorable motives?” This quasi apologetic speech show's that Sir Thomas had, in the Convention, found his historic lineage not a help, but a decided disadvantage in the eyes of many of the delegates, and (it is whispered) in Mr Davitt’s especially. . Then the new recruit, Sir Thomas, certainly cut the ground from under the feet of the persons objecting when he began to speak. With great clearness and precision he declared in favor of the absolute abolition of landlordism. He confessed his desire to accept even the nationalisation of land on a judicial system. Regarding education, manhood suffrage, and national independence, he was equally advanced. Even Mr Davitt began to seem moderate in comparison with the views of the young aristocrat. The audience was delighted, and Sir Thomas found himself suddenly a popular favorite. He was cheered to the echo. His personal appearance is greatly in his favor. Slight of frame and youthful, his handsome face is grave beyond his years. There is a singular resemblance between him and the portrait of Robert Emmet. This ’' ill help him to popularity. During his address he leaned on a heavy walking-stick, as he is still suffering from a gunshot wound in the leg received from an awkw'ard companion dining the grouse season. The Parncllite baronet is a decidedly sympathetic personage, and is likely to dispute popularity with bis comrades. His speech was decidedly clever, and gave promise of distinction in future. Grattan’s grandson will become a power among the people. Mr Clancy showed himself also to be a capable man, but not a brilliant one. He is a hard w r orker, but is not likely to win a front place in the Parliamentary phalanx. Great satisfaction is felt in Nationalist circles at the result of the Dublin Convention. It has demonstrated that not even Mr Davitt’s influence can now disturb sensibly the solidly knit popular unity or affect the influence of the Parliamentary party over the march of affairs. Men who call Mr Parnell the uncrowned king do not exaggerate much Ids power in Ireland. The saying may illustrate the old maxim, “Many true words are spoken in jest.”