DAVITT AND THE COWARDLY CREW.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1101, 1 June 1883, Page 4

DAVITT AND THE COWARDLY CREW.

On 4th March Mr Michael Davitt was announced to deliver an addrrss in Oldham on the Irish question. The hall, the largest in the borough, was well filled. As soon as Mr Davitt made his appearance, accompanied byMr M‘Sheeny, the president of the local branch of the Land League, a howl burst from a section of the audience, which was continued for several minutes. Mr M‘Sheeny, on rising to address the meeting, was also received with hisses and howling, and made four ineffectual attempts to speak, when a most exciting scene took place, clearly indicating that an organised opposition was present Sticks were displayed, the assembly became excited, and forms were mounted. Free fights took place, and an attack was made on those on the platform, where the onslaught was stopped by the occupants seizing chai- s by the arms and swinging them in a threatening attitude. The attacking party, thus brought to bay, scuffled with those in the body of the hall,and two or three received ugly cuts on the head. The disturbance then became general. Legs were wrested from chairs, and complaints were made by some of the injured parties that “ knuckle-dusters” were used. A posst of police was called in, and after an hour’s disturbance comparative quiet was obtained. The Chairman, with Mr Davitt and Dr Howard, stood on the table, and a fife and drum band, with the object of conciliating the i eliigerents, struck up “ God Save Ireland.” This had a soothing effect; but on Mr Davitt challenging “ the whole of the cowardly crew," another disturbanae took place, several other persons being wounded. Mr Davitt said if he had only twenty men he would clear the room of the cowards in five minutes. Having asked some men to follow him, he jumped off the platform, and was proceeding in the direction of the disturbers when a constable stopped him. He returned to the platform exhausted, and was supplied with a drink cf water. He then repeated; If I

had twenty men I would hurl those cowards fiom the room. You are a , band of cowards. You can attack me, i but you are afraid to attack the Government. You are miserable, contemptable, cowardly dogs. When you were sitting in taverns I was lighting the English Government. I never ran away yet from the Government, and I am not going to be frightened by a band of cowards like that ((pointing to the disturbers). They came on to this platform and they had not the courage to throw me off. They are Irish Nationalists—(sneevingly). They are a disgrace to the name. They are a drunken band of blackguards. I dare them to touch me. If Ireland was made up of such cowards she would earn the contempt of the c ; viUsed world.—(Applause). The chairman said if they stopped until midnight they would have then’ meeting If they would allow Mr Davitt to speak he would allow the spokesman on the other side- Ultimately the police forcibly ejected the disturbers. When order was restored, Mr Davitt briefly addressed the meeting, and commented strongly on the cowardice of the roughs, who fled before a few policemen. The disturbers thought he would run away as they made members of Paaliament run away at Manchester and Blackburn. Might God save Ireland from such Nationalists as the disturbers! Was it any wonder that the English people should look with contempt upon Irish nationality when they saw it represented by a band of cowardly blackguards 1