OBITUARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 32

OBITUARY.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MR CHARLES STEWART PARNELL, M.P. RUMOUR OF SUICIDE. LAST APPEARANCE IN PUBLIC. THE MANNER OF HIS DEATH. EXCITEMENT IN DUBLIN. how justin McCarthy took THE NEYv T S. THE PARNELLITES IN CONFERENCE. GENEROUS AMERICAN COMMENTS. LONDON PRESS OPINIONS. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. LAST WORDS. MRS PARNELL MAD WITH GRIEF. A TRIBUTE OF AMERICAN ESTEEM. EXCITEMENT OYER THE FUNERAL. DEMONSTRATION AGAINST 1 MR DILLON. GREAT DEMONSTRATION. ALLEGATIONS OF MUBDER. A MILLION PEOPLE PRESENT. AN IMMENSE CORTEGE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION ) London, October 7Obituary—Mr 0. S. Parnell, aged 45. He caught a chill and took to his bed on Friday last. The chill developed into acute rheumatism. He was unconscious for several hours, and died at midnight yesterday in intense agony. He was staying at Brighton. Mrs Parnell’s solicitors have received an unsigned telegram stating that Mr Parnell committed suicide.

Mr Parnell s last appearance in public was on Sunday week. He left Ireland on Thursday, suffering from a chill, which developed into rheumatism, and he died unconscious in the presence of his wife only. ,

There was immense excitement in Dublin when the news became known. Business was stopped for a time, and many persons were moved to tears. The National Federation, which wa3 sitting in Dublin, at once adjourned. A prominent Parnellite declares that the death of tho leader, so far from healing, will widen the breach in the Irish Party. Mr Justin McCarthy said to an interviewer that he was inexpressibly grieved and shocked at Mr Parnell’s sudden death, though it would bring peace and heal the breach between the two sections of the Irish Party. They would now join their forces again, and place the cause of Home Rule beyond daDger. The Parnellites are holding a conference in Dublin. London, October 8. The doctors certify that Mr Parnell’s death was due to rheumatic fever and failure of the heart’s action, and in this opinion Mrs Parnell agrees. His family deny suicide. The doctors decline to speak on the subject. James O’Kelly, after viewing the body, declared that it appeared as if he had died from natural causes. Mr Parnell’s last appearance in public was at Creggs, and while there he stood three hours in the rain. The people of Cork exhibited but little outward regret, but in Dublin the shock was very acute. Mr Parnell left no political direction. The news of his death caused a profound sensation in America, where the press comments are of a generous nature. Even among those hostile to him there was an immediate revulsion of feeling. The belieE is gaining ground in England, the United States, and the Continent that with Parnell’s death the division of the Irish Party will cease. Speculation as to the political effect of liis decease overrides expressions of regret in England. The Times considers that the highest evidence of Mr Parnell’s intellectual ability lies in the fact that he inspired actual enthusiasm, though his personal character was so repellent. The Standard says he died at the moment most favourable to his reputation, and that his death will revive the fond fidelity of the past. It expects the early healing of the division of the Party. Members of the Parnellite Party are arranging for a public fuueral in Dublin. Mr Parnell's funeral wiil take place at Dublin on Tuesday. His last words were, “I love my colleagues and tho people of Ireland, and I hope they will he as -well tended in their sickness as I have been in miue.” London, October 9. No post-mortem was held on Parnell, merely an outward examination. Tho funeral tabes places at Glasnevin cemetery on Sunday, within O'Connell’s circle. The McCarthy section will attend though the Parnellites accuse them of 1 hunting the dead man to his grave.

ftir Parnell was conscious for a brief 1 period before his death. I The press in Great Britain, the Con- I tinent, and America continue to publish comments mostly boaring tribute to his memory. , -London, October 10. Mr Parnell’s mother is showing symptoms of insanity consequent on grief at the death of her son. She believes he was murdered. ... , A national subscription is being raised in New York and Chicago for the purpose of erecting a statue as a tribute to Mr Parnell’s memory. The body has been removed from Brighton to Dublin, and was escorted by numerous members of liis party, lliere was no demonstration in England. The principal Railway Companies in Ireland intend to run special trains to carry those desirous of attending the funeral. ' , It is expected that there will be a tremendous demonstration at the grave. Fearing attack by the mob on the arrival of the corpse in Dublin, none of the followers of Mr Justin McCarthy attended. . Many of the public bodies m Ireland have carried motions expressing sympathy and regret at the death or Mr Parnell. It is announced that the Chicago Irish decline to recognise as leader of the Party any of those who took a prominent part in the late crusade against the deceased.

The United Ireland, publishes an inflammatory article, in which it gives the names of several politicians and others whom it declares virtually murdered Mr Parnell. During his visit to Ireland Mr John Dillon was hustled by the mob,, and there were loud cries of “ Murderer.” London, October 11. Six hundred people passed through the van containing the late C. S. Parnell’s ' remains at- Willesden, and kissed the foot of the coffin. . Mrs Parnell’s wreath was inscribed 11 My true love ; my husband and king.” Posters were stuck up in Cork surrounded by a mourning border, proclaiming that Mr Parnell was murdered to please the English. The body will lie in state in the Dublin Council Hall to-day. Public interest in Mr Parnell’s death quite eclipses that displayed about Mr AY. H. Smith. Lord Spencer, speaking at Grantham, said Ireland had.lost her greatest leader since O’Connell. Elaborate precautions are being taken by the police to prevent a disturbance at the funeral. Mottoes are exhibited asserting that Mr Parnell was murdered, and that revenge is being prepared. Mr Dillon’s residence and the office of the Freeman’s Journal are guarded. It is expected the situation will lead to a union between the clerical and anticlerical sections. A downpour of rain destroyed the mementoes piled on the coffin. A million people were present at the arrival of the body at the grave. The proceedings were quiet. London, October 12. The funeral of Mr Parnell was very orderly. Over 30,000 viewed the body while it was lying in state in the City Hall, Dublin. The box, which had contained the coffin, was smashed at the railway station by a large crowd of people who were aDxious to secuio some memento of the deceased. All tbe members of Parliament who supported Mr Parnell were in the cortege, which numbered 200,000, and extended for four miles. Many bands took p -.rfc in the funeral, but no priests followed. The service at the grave was finished in tbe dark. The wreath placed on the coffin by the Belfast Parnellites bore a motto to the effect that deceased was murdered and that revenge would follow. The offices of the Freeman’s Journal and National Press were guarded by police. The members of the Dublin and Cork Corporations attended the funeral. In New York the State flags were lowered half mast as a mark of respect to that the widow will shortly proceed to Germany. Outside of Dublin little attention was paid to Mr Parnell’s funeral. The English press comment on the absence of the McCartliyites. It is now said under 100,000 were present at the funeral.

The Daily Chronic’e, in an article referring to the death of Mr Parnell, states that he found Ireland a nation of serfs and left it a free democracy.

It is proposed to erect a monument in Dublin to the late Mr C. S. Parnell. The Tories intend to contest the seat rendered vacant by his death. The coffin was surmounted by an Irish harp and a wreath inscribed “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” Captain O’Shea’s daughters sent wreaths. Opposite Parliament House the procession halted, and all uncovered, his former colleagues gathering round the hearse.

It is described as the most impressive scene witnessed in Dublin since O’Connell’s funeral. The Daily News considers Mr Parnell s

death will, in the long run, havo a uniting influence on the Party. Washington, October 12.

Irish societies in New York ai© not prepared to accept the proposal to seek revenge on the seceders from the late Mr C. S. Parnell.

The following summary of the career of this remarkable man is taken from 1 Men of the Time': —Charles Stewart Parnell, M.P., was born in 1840, at Avondale, County Wicklow. He is descended from an old English family that passed over from Congleton, Cheshire, to Ireland. His mother was a daughter of Admiral Charles Stewart, a celebrated American naval officer. Ho was educated at various private schools in England, and afterwards went to Magdalen College, Cambridge. After a tour of some duration in the United States, he returned to his home in Wicklow, and was High Sheriff of the County in 1874. He made his first attempt to enter public life in the same year, contesting the County of Dublin with the late Colonel Taylor on the latter’s acceptance of office as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancster in the second administration of Lord Beaconsfieldi He was defeated by an overwhelming majority, but in the following year, 1875, he was returned for the County of Meath. For some time he took no prominent part in the proceedings of Parliament, but during the session of lS7ohe attracted some attention by engaging in one or two prolonged and stubborn conflicts with, the Government. In February, 1877, he made his first appearance as a legislator, introducing tlie Itiah Church Act Amendment Bill, tlfe object of which was to facilitate the purchase of their holdings by the tenantry of tho disestablished Irish Chinch, the Bill was thrown out by. 160 to 110 votes. The introduction of the Prisons Bill by Sir Richard (then Mr) Cross, gave rise to the first real development of the principle of what was known as the ‘active’ policy to the Irish, and the policy of * obstruction ’ to the English people. The various clauses of the measure were obstinately opposed ; and when attempts were made to force the Bill through at a late hour, there were repeated motions for adjournment. A similar course was pursued on the Mutiny Bill, hostility being chiefly directed against the flogging clauses ; and scenes of much passion and excitement frequently occurred. Mr Parnell joined in the attack upon the on the South African Bili, at.d also came into serious collision in the course of this session, both with Sir Stafford Northcote, the then leader ot the House of Commons, and Mr Butt., then leader of the Irish party. Mr Butt condemned the policy of Mr Parnell, both by letters and speeches ; but it soon became apparent that the action of the younger man was the more popular among the Irish people. In the beginniug of IS7.S Mr Parnell was elected President, instead of Mr B itt, of the Irish organisation in England, know a is tha Home Rule Confederation, and from that time forward Mr Butt practically ceased to be the leader of the Irish Party. The sessions of 1878 and 1579 were practically a repetition of the proceedings of 1877. In IS7B a committee was appointed to consider the best means of putting down obstruction, and Mr Parnell was appointed a member, an I took an active part m examining the various witnesses called. lae hostility ot Mr Parnell was chiefly directed in these years to the use of the lash, and finally, in 1879, he succeeded in having it abolished. At the close of the session of 1879 Mr Parnell entered upon a new and important epoch in his career. There had been a succession of bad harvests in Ireland ; the country was threatened with deep and wide spread distress, and the time was ripe for starling _ a new movement for the reform of the relations between landlord and tenant. A. meeting had been held in Irishtown, County Mayo, in the previous April, but it was not till dune that Mr Parnell formally joined the new land movement. It was on this occasion that he uttered as the key-note of the coming struggle the words, 1 Keep a firm grip of your homesteads.’ On tha 21st of October following the Irish National League was founded, and Mr Parnell was elected its first President. The objects of the new organisation were declared to be, 1 first, to bring about a reduction of rack rents ; secondly, to facilitate the obtaining of the ownership of the soil by the occupiers.’ In December of the same year Mr Parnell sailed for Ameiiea, in order to raise funds for the relief of the distress and for starting the new organisation ; lectured in many towns, and finally before the House of Representatives at Washington, an honour previously conferred on only three persons—Safayelle, Bishop England of Charleston, and Kossuth. Meanwhile, Parliament was dissolved. Mr Parnell hurried, home, took an active part in the general election, and was himself returned for three constituencies —Meath, Mayo, and Cork city. He elected to sit for the last-named, and was chosen leader of the Irish Party, instead of Mr Shaw, who had succeeded Mr Butt. Immediately after tho meeting of the new Parliament, Mr Parnell called for the introduction of a measure to deal with the Irish land question. Shortly after, the Government brought in the Disturbance Bill, which was passed by the House of Commons, but was rejected by the House of Lords. In the autumn of ISSO Mr Parnell took an'active part in organising the Land League, which rapidly grew to be the most powerful of modern Irish movements. In November of this year informations were laid by the Irish Attorney-General against Mr Parnell and several other members of the Land League Executive. The trial opened at Dublin on the 28th of December, and after 19 days’ hearing ended in a disagreement of the jury. In the opening of the session of 1881 the Government brought in a Coercion Bill, and to this measure, as well as to an Arms Bill, Mr Parnell and his colleagues offered a fierce and obstinate opposition, prolonged ovor seven weeks. There were many exciting and tumultuous scenes. On 3rd of February be and 36 of his followers were removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms for causing obstruction in the House of Commons. The Land Act having been passed into law, Mr Parnell presided at a Land League Convention, at which it was resolved that ‘ the Act should be tested' by means of selected cases. He was present afterwards at several large Land League demonstrations, and on 13th October he was arrested and conveyed to Kilmainham Gaol. The Government immediately afterwards proclaimed tho Land League to be an illegal association, and Mr Parnell and his colleagues issued their * No Rent’ -manifesto. Mr Parnell remained in Kilmainham Gaol till lOtn April, 1882, when he was released on parole,, in order to attend the funeral of a relative. On the 2nd May following he was formally released, as well as his colleagues, Mr John Dillon, M.P., and Mr O Kelly, M.P. Then followed the resignation of Lord Cowper, the murders in Phoenix Park, nnd the stormy debates on the Crimes Bill. The freedom of the city had beeu voted to Mr Parnell, during his imprisonment, by Dublin and otherfjplaces. In the session of , 1882 he took an active part in procuring the

passing of tho Arrears Act, and of the Tramways and Labourers Acts in tho session of 1883. A national subscription to Mr Parnell was started in the spring of 1883, and a Bum of L35,fi00 is said to havo. been raised among tbe Irish at Home and in America, and presented to him. He still, however, retained his popularity and his power. The Land League Was revived under the name of the National League, and Mr Parnell took his place at its head. He inspired all the policy of the Irish parliamentary party during the sessions of ISB4 and 1885 ; and on the dissolution, when the Irish people first voted on a general household suffrage, he nominated every Nationalist candidate, and came back to Westminster with 85 followers. It was to meet this new situation that Mr Gladstone proposed Homo Rule, iu wli'ch, of course, he was supported by Mr Parnell and tho whole strength of his party. After the defeat and the new elections, Mr Parnell proposed a Bill to suspend evictions, and practically to reduce rent, by one-half. The Bill did not pass. The Parnell Commission was instituted toenquiio into certain allegations contained in a pamphlet entitled ’ Parneliisn and Crime,’ publishedat The Times office, and charging Mr Parnell and others with conspiracy and organisation having for its object the separation of Ireland from England ns a nation. Letters, in fac-simile, purporting to. have been written by Mr Parnell, and proving his complicity iu crime, were given in the pamphlet, and denounced by Mr Parnell as. forgeries. How these proved to be such will be.fresh in the minds of our readers. The Commis ion sat for 12S days, and examined 500 witnesses. Then followed a libel action against Tho Times resulting in Mr Parnell getting Lsooodamages. In July, ISS9, ’ e was presented with the. freedom of Edinburgh. Iu 1890 he was convicted in open Court of adultery with the wife of liis former friend. Captain O’Shea, liis prestige was irrevocably lost, and his reputation hopelessly besmirched. His party broke up into two factions, the one still adhering to their old leader, the other following Mr Justin McCarthy. The Roman Catholic Church violently opposed Mr Parnell’s further leadership. SIR J. POPE HENNESSY, M.P. London, October 7. Obituary—Sir J. Pope Hennessy, M.P. for Kilkenny North. [Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G., M.P., Knight of Malta, was born at Cork iu 1834, aud educated tor the Bar, to which he was called in IS6L. He entered the House of Commons in 1859 as member for King’s County, and took an active interest in educational matters, and the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed Governor of Labaun in 1867, of the West African Settlements in 1872, of the,Bahamas in 1873, of the Windward Islands in 1875, of Hong Kong in 1877, and of Mauritius in IBS3. On more than one occasi n his conduct as Governor l.as provoked remonstrances, the last instance being liis disagreement with Mr Clifford Lloyd, which led to questions in Parliament and the despatch of Sir Hercules Robinson to Mauritius to investigate the quarrel. This resulted in Sir Pope Hennessy’s return to London, when he laid the matter before the Secretary of State, and was restored to his office for the remainder of his term. Subsequently he was congratulated in a public dispatch on his successful administration of Mauritius, and on his retirement was awarded the full pension payable to a colonial governor. Immediately after tho exposure in the ParneliO’Shea divorce case, in December last. Sir Pope Hennessy contested the North Kilkenny election, and beat the ParnelUte candidate by 1147 votes.] THE LATE MR W. H. SMITH. A NOBLE OFFER. London, October 7. The death of Mr Smith was due to a chill caught whilst yachting. Acute gout followed, and this succeeded in reaching his heart. Mr Gladstone sent a telegram of condolence and recognition of the fine qualities of the deceased gentleman, and of his devotion to the public service. All tho English newspapers make generous references to the deceased, and The Times states that no man will be more difficult to replace. S nee Mr YV. H. Smith’s death it has been made public that when the Baring crisis was imminent he offered to give Mr LidderdaleT governor of the Bank of England, LIOO.OOO of his own money if money could avert the crisis. The ofier was,- however, declined. HIS SUCCESSOR. London, October 8. The Queen has sent a letter to Mr Smith’s family, expressing tho esteem in which she held him. Tho Marquis of Salisbury is deeply affected at his colleague’s death. Mr Goschen will probably succeed Mr Smith as leader of the House of Commons. Mr Smith will be buried quietly at Hambledon on Saturday, and a memorial service will be held in Westminster Abbey. London, October 11 Westminster Abbey was crowded with notables at the funeral of the late Right Hon W. H. Smith. The Agents-General for the colonies wore all present. It is expected Mrs Smith will be made a peeress in her own right. Her Majesty the Queen sent v wreath to be placed on the late W, H. Smith’s coffin. The wreath bora the following inscription ; —“A mark of sincere gratitude for devoted services to Sovereign and Country.”