THE BROTHERS REDMOND IN WEXFORD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 5, 23 May 1884, Page 7

THE BROTHERS REDMOND IN WEXFORD.

(The Nation, March 22.) MB. J. E. Redmond, M.P., and Mr. William Redmond, M .P. visited their native county on Sunday for the first time since their return from Australia and America. The occasion called forth a demonstration which rivalled in the warmth of its welcome-home the splendid receptions previously accorded to the brothers in Cork and Dublin. At Wicklow, Gorey, Enniscorthy, and Wexford the people greeted both gentlemen with unrestrained enthusiasm, and it could not fail to be gratifying to the members for New Ross and Wexford, as it undoubtedly was very cheeriug to other persons, to see how thoroughly their earnest labours as the envoys of the National League were appreciated in their native county. Mrs. J. E. Redmond, who accompanied the party, shared in the hearty welcome extended to her husband and to his brother. At Wicklow she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and at Wexford Master John M. Walsh, son of Mr. B. Walsh, of the Wexford People, presented her ( with a large cluster of freshly-plucked shamrocks. Addresses were presented to the brothers at Gorey by Mr. James Dunne and Mr. Edward Canavan, on behalf of the local branch of the National League ; at Bnniscortby by Mr. Whitford, the chairman of the town commissioners ; and at Wexford by the mayor, on behalf of the corporation, and by Mr. Michael Browne, chairman, on behalf of the town commissioners. Both gentlemen replied in eloquent and grateful terms. The report of the demonstration which awaited them in Wexford town we take as follows from the Freeman report : — At Wexford preparations on a most extensive and elaborate scale had been made to give the visitors a worthy reception. The railway station was densely crowded. The mayor, bearing his insignia of office and attended by the civic officers, was present. A large number of clergy were in waiting ; flags, bands, and banners gave an air of great rejoicing to the scene, and the people were most enthusiastic. Mrs. Redmond was agaiu made to share the triumphs of her husband, and for her cheers were raised again and again. A procession was formed, headed by the bands, which included the Ladies' Island Band, the Drinagh Band, and the Kilmore Band, the American flag being displayed with great effect. An enormous crowd of tenant-farmers and others assembled at the Bull Ring, and the greatest possible enthusiasm prevailed. When the Tholsel was reached the chair was taken amidst applause by the Mayor (Mr. R. Walsh). The chairman having briefly opened the proceedings, Mr. William Redmond, who was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers, said he could find no words that would in any degree adequately express the feelings of pleasure and pride which filled his heart as he stood there that day in the old historic spot so linked with the memories of the past— with the memories of English cowardice and Irish triumphs (cheers). Since he had the honour of standing there he had travelled round the earth, visited many of the greatest and most prosperous countries of the world ; but he might, with truth, say that even in the remotest parts of the world he had visited his heart remained true to that town of Wexford, joined to it by the closest ties that could bind any man to any spot on earth. He had been in countries that possessed wealth and had free and prosperous people*, but in no country had he ever seen a land more fitted to be the land of liberty and peace than Ireland (cheers). He could not convince them in mere words of how grateful he was for their kindness, nor could he expiess his firmness of determination to carry on at the councils of the Irish nation the struggle in which Charles Stewart Parnell was so nobly engaged for the realisation of the rights of the Irish race. It would be more satisfactory if he made in the future his deeds expresj his gratitude, and that he was determined to do. It would, perhaps, be expected of him that day briefly to recapitulate his opinions upon the various topics that were exercising the public mind in Irish politics. In the first place, he might say tbat he left Ireland an advocate of Home Rule, as his father had been before him, and he now returned a stronger advocate for Home Rule for Ireland than ever, and determined to use whatever power, energy, or ability he possessed in the struggle to make his country once more a free nation (cheers). He was in a better position to speak upon the subject of Home Rule confidently than many of those around him, and with more authority than many men in Her Majesty's Government, for he had been in lands where Home Rule existed (cheers). The colonies were happy, and prosperous, and contented because the people of these colonies had the right to govern themselves (cheers). America was rich and prosperous because she was free and because her people governed themselves, and he felt firmly convinced of the fact tbat Ireland never could be free or prosperous or happy without Home Rule. Then as to the land question, he could state with confidence that there never could be prosperity, peace, or contentment, or advance of industry until the wealth that springs from the soil of Ireland is kept in Ireland (cheers). Ireland could not be prosperous until the day when landlordism shall equitably disappear, and the farmers become before man as they were before God, the owners of the soil they till (cheers). He was, therefore, heart and soul in accord with Mr. Parnell, and with the programme of the Irish National Convention of the Irish National League (cheers). He asked them to support the members of the Irish party who were faithfully fighting their battle in England (cheers). He would ask them to remember that while they were "working for the Irish people day and night in London it was not only a difficult and onerous duty they were performing, but a duty Mhich they were prepared to undertake at any sacrifice for the sake of the country they loved so well Mr. Hugh*Maguire, T.C., chairman Borough Home Rule Club, moved :—": — " That we hereby extend to Messrß. Hedmond our heartiest welcome on their arrival once again to their native town after so long an absence, and that we beg to congratulate them on the success which their noble efforts on behalf of our country have met in the far antipodes."

Mr. Ambrose Fortune, T.C., seconded the proposition, which was adopted with acclamation.

Mr. J. Redmond, M.P., who was received with cheers, said he felt it was no part of his duty to detain them with a long speech that day, for the meeting was held chiefly that they might hear an address from his brother, their newly-elected member (cheers). He wished to congratulate the people of the town because they had once and for all stamped out the contemptible little clique that had so long dared to raise its head amongst them (cheers). Time was when those who formed that clique ruled there with a powerful sway, but he remembered the little clique who in the old days held the fate of election in Wexford were to-day recognised simply as a clique of political " nincompoops " (laughter and cheers). Even an otherwise respectable and presentable man would be scouted if he was introduced to-day by one of such a clique (cheers). It was his duty to thank them for the result of the last election, and he could not express to them the gratitude with which in a distant clime he heard of the return of his brother for a constituency that had already been represented by one of his name (cheers). It was not often that a family was honoured by two members of it being honoured with the representation of any county. A Voice— You aiM worthy of it (cheers). Mr. Radoaond— Hj cuuld pramisd thjm that nothing would be wanting on his part to prove deserving, even in a measure, of the great and invaluable expression of confidence that had been placed in him, and he hoped -the day would never come when one of his name or blood would do anything to forfeit the confidence that had been so lavishly bestowed on him and his brother (cheers). Mr. B. Walsh having been moved to the second chair, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor for presiding. The proceedings then terminated.