"Buckshot" Forster.

Evening Star, Issue 7337, 8 October 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

"Buckshot" Forster.

[ ' Murray's Magazine' contains an interesting article called " With Mr Forster in Ireland in 1882," by Captain Ross, of Bladensburg. He describes how he accompanied Mr Forster to Tulla, the scene of an agrarian outrage of a peculiarly revolting nature which had recently taken place. Finding that a large number of peasants had assembled in the Tulla market-place, Mr Forster walked in the crowd. " When well among the Tulla peasants he said, as they looked somewhat disconcerted at his approach : ' I suppose you know who I am ?' There was no move, no answer. ' I am Mr Forster, the Chief Secretary for Ireland.' Immediately every hand was raised to the owner's hat, and there was a general response: ' Ah, God bless your honor !' Having now arrested their attention, and thus publicly introduced himself to their notice, he proceeded in the following strain: ' I have come here to witness with my own eyes the scene of the latest outrage, and to see for myself the state of your district. I have just visited the victim of the recent moonlighting expedition that has occurred among you. Poor Michael Moroney will soon die. And now I want to know why it is that an inoffensive man, one of yourselves, has been butchered in your midst ? Why do you not avenge him, and hunt down the cowardly miscreants who have committed this shameful deed ? You are men, not beasts ; if you have a quarrel with the Government, and if you have the instincts of men, why do you not strike at me ? It is / whoamopposingthedesigns of those thatlead you ! If I have t'one you harm, why do you not avenge yourself upon me ? But cease, in the name of Heaven, from preying upon each other like the brutes of the field, and cease to torment by your dastardly conduct those that are the weakest and most defenceless among you.' With that he strode out with a look of scornful pity upon his face, leaving them utterly speechless and unable to stir or make any sign."