THE TENANT-RIGHT AGITATION IN IRELAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2104, 19 December 1879, Page 2

THE TENANT-RIGHT AGITATION IN IRELAND.

The demonstration at IN’avan ou October 13 and the reception of the agitator Parnell, is thus described: —■ From daylight crowds poured into town. All were on foot. Every man, woman and child carried green boughs ; every house was showered with greenery, and even the meanest hovels hung out their garlands. The chapel was thronged all the morning with devout congregations. At the service priests bade them maintain the greatest order during the day. At eleven o’clock this morning this place was thronged with frieze-coated country people, who formed in parade and marched behind a band dressed in beautiful uniforms of white and gold, exact counterparts of those worn during the Emmet celebration. As far as two miles from the railway the roads were densely packed. The platforms of the station were occupied by a committee of priests and other members of popular deputations. There arc triumphal arches ou every corner, bearing mottoes, “ Down with Laud Robbers,” “ Parnell for Ireland,” “ Ireland for Parnell,” “Home Rule,” “Liberty for People,” and so forth. As soon as the whistle of the arriving train was heard the baud struck up “ Sec the Conquering Hero Conies.” Mr Parnell was received with a frantic outburst of cheers, and was enthusiastically carried to a carriage, which was waiting outside. His party included Messrs Sullivan, O’Connor, Power, O’Sullivan, and Piggar. They were preceded by a triumphal procession, which escorted them into the the town. The Avindows were thronged with ladies, and many priests were noticeable along the road to the hotel. Women rushed forward to shake hands Avith the hero of the day. Thousands came by the train from Dublin, with a liberal display of bunting. Drogheda, Athboy, Dundalk, and even Belfast, sent a large concourse. It was computed that at least 30,000 people were in toAvn. The streets were constantly paraded by armed police, who, hoAvever, were alloAved to pass unnoticed. At the Belfast anti-rent demonstration 15,000 persons Avcrc present. Mr Parnell’s speech Avas more than usually violent. He said, in the course of it, that the English Government remained indifferent, though it knew the distress approaching would be as bad as that of the famine of 1817.

A private conference of tenantfarmers was held in Dublin on the 22nd October. Thirty two counties sent delegates. Cork and Ballinarobe, in the County of Mayo, Tipperary and Sligo, were particularly strongly represented. Mr Parnell was present and was unanimously elected president. The conference was held for the purpose of moving an Irish Land League, which should compass two main objects—the first being the reduction of rack rents ; the second, that occupiers of land might have facilities for obtaining the ownership of it. It was determined to draw the counties together in a solid organisation during the coming winter, and thus defend the farmers against the threats of eviction which now hang over them.