A LAND LEAGUE IN THE HIGHLANDS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 982, 11 February 1881, Page 3

A LAND LEAGUE IN THE HIGHLANDS.

At last the long anti sorely tried paliencp nt the Scottish Highlanders seems to ho thoroughly exhausted, and by all accounts they have evidently made up their minds, following the example sf their brethren in Ireland, to take smie vigorous action against landlordism, and, if possible, “ keep a firm grip of their homesteads.” It is true they have been quietly submittcl to the extermination of their people, .and the gradual extension of deer-parks and game-preserves over lands whieh were once the inheritance ot a brave and industrious race. The Argy'es and the Sutherlands, ando'.hera of their class, have been for many a long year, doing what they liked “with their own/’ until at last the limit even of Highland endurance is reached, and the plundered and persecuted crofters have turned round and presented a bold and determined front to their enemies. Mr Pirio, paper manufacturer, of Aberdeen, is entitled to the distinction of having brought matters to a ciisis. lu a former letter I gave .some particulars of the manner in which this individual exercised his proprietorial rights over tiro unfortunate tenants on the Leckinelm estate, of which some time ago he became lord and master. Noav, there are some good and patriotic men in the neighborhood of Lcckmelm, and amongst the number is the Rev. John MacMillan, F’ce Church Minister of the parish. The gentleman has for some time been agitating almost in the true Irish Land League fashion. He has been writing letters to the papers, addressing meetings, and otherwise endeavouring to rouse public indignation against the persecutor of his people, and to a great extent he has succeeded. A large public meeting took place in the town of Inverness, specially convened to hear an address from Mr Macmillan on Leckinelm evictions. The meeting was numerously and respectably attended, several bailies, merchants, and farmers being present on the platform. Mr Macmillan was loudly applauded while he elo quently described and denounced in unmeasured terms the wrongs inflicted on the Highland crofters by the landlord class At the close of his address a resolution of sympathy with the Leckm dm tenants was unanimously passed, and an influential committee was appointed to watch, not only the interests of the tenants referred-to, hut to keep an eye on the proceedings generally of landlords throughout the Highlands. Irishmen will naturally regard with feelings of strong sympathy the progress of this “Land League’ - in the Highlands. Already the recently formed Glasgow Irish Land League has issued a declaration on the subject. At its meeting in the Home Rule Hall on Sunday, a resolution, proposed by O'Sulhvan, and seconded by Mr O’Hare, was agreed on, expressing unqualified disapproval of the conduct of Mr Pirio in “clearing” the Leckinelm estate ; thanking the Rev. John Macmillan for his praiseworthy efforts to put an end to rackrenting, eviction, and landlord oppression, and to establish small proprietors in the Highlands ; and tendering hearty sympathy to the evicted tenants of the Leckinelm estate. Our . fellow-citizens the men of our own race—in the Highlands will thus see the Irishmen, while struggling for their rights, have sympathy and words of encouragement for the friends of justice and freedom all over the world. —Nation.