THOMAS BRENNAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 45, 7 March 1884, Page 9

THOMAS BRENNAN.

(From the San Francisco Chronicle.') Like: all important visitors to this city, Mr. Thomas Brennan, the efficient organiser of the Irish National League in this country, was interviewed upon his arrival and gave his views upon the great object of his labours very freely. As Mr. Brennan speaks officially regarding the object of the organisation which he represents, the following opinions will prove interesting to all who have any sympathy with the struggles of the Irish people for self-govern-ment. Mr. Brennan is a young man, being but 29 years of age — tall, slim, with long arms and bony hands, which were frequently used in an expressive manner in accentuating a point in the conversation. He has a light, slightly florid complexion, wears a short moustache and goatee and has grey-blue eyes that look straight at one with forcible meaning. " This is your first trip to America, is it not ?" was asked by way of an opening query. "Yes, sir; but I had long anticipated a visit here," was the quick but pleasant reply. " Have your Eastern successes been a surprise to you, Mr. Brennan?" " Well, hardly. I was prepared for anything in America, you know. But I must confess some of my meetings have exceeded my expectations in point of attendance and enthusiasm. As you are aware, I came to attend the Philadelphia convention of last April, and since about the Ist of May I have laboured in New York, Boston, and all the larger cities of New England. Thence I went to Pittsburg, Cleveland, Chicago, Louisville, St. Louis, Davenport, Omaha, Denver, Leadville, Gunnison, Col., which latter town was the scene of my latest efforts in lecturing and organising. I was struck with the enthusiasm manifested at Denver, which was second only to Philadelphia in this degree. At Denver there were between 1500 and 2000 people turned away from the hall nnable to gain admittance. In Chicago a somewhat similar experience was had." " But, from the accounts you have received from others, would you not place San Francisco somewhere near the head of the list in Land Leage precedence?" " That I would," said Mr. Brennan, " if one may believe reports, but this I must prove before my departure from your city." " Have you not found your labours somewhat onerous ?" 11 No, sir, though I must confess I feel rather weary to-day, but the few days rest I intend to take in San Francisco before beginning work in earnest will, I think, be sufficiently recuperative in its effects. I have been busy, as you may believe, when I say I have worked six days each week, travelling from one city to another, having delivered in all upwards of 200 lectures, but the results, both in the spirit shown and in a lucrative way, have been remarkable. My expenses are all paid by the League, to whom I turn over the money realised. This money is used by the National League and is a separate fund from that of the Parnell contributions." " How long have you been engaged in League work ?" " The League was started," said Mr. Brennan, " in October 1881, but Michael Davitt and myself have, you might say, been doing League service since April 1, 1881." " What do you consider the true policy of the Irish agitators of the day ?" " Moderation first— the commission of no excesses. After that I would counsel a decisive and sustained movement against oar foes by the expression of public opinion everywhere and on every occasion." " What standing has O'Donovan Kossa among the Irish people at present ?"

" Little, if any. Such tactics as hia are most to be ahunnedif we are to succeed. Some extenuation may be given him on account of his brutal treatment at the bands of the British Government, but his and all Fenian and dynamite systems are of more harm than good to our cause." " "What is your estimate of the present outlook in Ireland ?" "Hopeful — exceedingly so. "What have we already accomplished 1 Have we not infused a spirit of freedom into the breast of every native of Ireland ? Have we not given courage to men who formerly were little better than cowering slaves? But there is still more important work to be accomplished— and not altogether by speaking — work that will have to be done by band as well aB mouth." " How are the land questions being solved ?" 11 Slowly. For this you may take the word of the cablegramsenders ; but there are a host of falsehoods sent over here daily. One instance I will mention. It was in the case of a landlord named Crotty, who was reported here as having been assassinated, and who really died in his bed two years before. Our Irish friends may set down the telegrams coming from English sources as false for the most part, where they touch on assassinations and dynamite plots. I am sometimes asked why I do not wear green ribbon badges when they are presented to me. " I say in response, there is too much green ribbon and not enough solid work. A great many are borrowing loads of trouble from O'Donnell's execution, and while I myself consider it a snub to all Americans and a pieca of effrontery and inustice, still Ireland has gained more than she has lost by the hangng of Carey's slayer.