JOHN DILLON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 20, 11 September 1885, Page 9

JOHN DILLON.

(Dublin Freeman, July 11.)

"With a hundred thousand welcomes John Dillon was received on Monday inigh tby the people of Dublin. Few more en I husiastic demonstrations of public regard for a distinguished Irishman have ever been seen in Dublin. In many respects it was unique. Only at an advanced hour in the evening was his coming made|generally known. Tbere was thus no time in which to organise a reception, and the truly splendid ovation that awaited him was absolutely spontaneous. It owed its proportions to the free and undirected impulse of Irish affection towards one who had laboured and suffered for Ireland. Long before the hour at which the steamer was due, the North Wall quays were thronged with a dense crowd to which every moment added fresh contingents, and when after three years' absence Mr. Dillon's feet again touched Irish ground the enthusiasm of the assembled thousands was simply uncontrollable. In a second the horses were unyoked from the Lord Mayor's carriage, which, on his Lordship's invitation, Mr. Dillon had entered, and amidst deafening cheers it -was drawn to the Imperial Hotel. In a moment the greatest thoroughfare of the metropolis — O'Oonnell street, as it was re-named in one consentient shout by the people — was completely blocked. It is impossible to describe the scene outside the hotel when Mr. Dillon appeared upon the balcony to briefly address the dense multitude. For many minutes the applause, that was again and again renewed, prevented him from speaking a word. Then a hush fell upon the assemblage, and in a brief speech that glowed wi th all the old passionate earnestness and fervour, he thanked those who had come to do bim honour, and spoke of the political situation as he now finds it. His period of absence has enabled him to contrast the prospects of the Irish cause to-day with what he knew them to be three years ago, and he is amazed at the changes that have been wrought. Whilst abroad, as be told his audience, his interest "never slackened in the fortunes of the Party who were struggling to raise this old country to her once proud position." But only now, in the defeat of the Coercion Government, does he realise to the full the work done by the men who have waged so gallant a struggle against terrible odds. In the results achieved by the Irish Party be sees the sweet augury of complete victory at no distant date, and in the further labours to that end the Irish people in America will gladly participate. The entire country, we know, will join in spirit in extending a cordial welcome to one of the most notable and most patriotic Irishmen of our time — the noble son of a worthy father. For ourselves we (trust that he may be able to take his place once more amongst Ireland's most trusted representatives ; and, as our special Commissioner was the first to clasp his hand when on Sunday morning his steamer arrived off the Irish coast, so we now most heartily greet him on his return to his native land.