MR O’HIGGINS’ ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1927, Page 3

MR O’HIGGINS’ ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Mr Kevin o’Higgins took a pi’omi nciii part in the recent election (.1111 Ireland. A Dublin correspondent, writing on .Tune 2. described an \eept tonally stormy meeting, "hit 1 the I’’lee State vice-president addressed at Carrickmacross, County Monaghan on the previous Thursday. The crowd veiled with delight at the success of their obstruction when Mr 0 Higgins sat down, and the chairman declared the meeting closed. While Mr 0 Higgins was speaking, Mr Conlan, thill Kireann candidate and chairman of Carrickmacross [T han Council, drove up in a motor, and halted almost directly opposite Mr O’Higgins’ brake. It looked as if Mr Conlan was about to address the crowd, hut Civic Guards persuaded him to move further up tmi street. The crowd surged towards Mr Conlan who was lustily cheered as his car was pushed along. Standing up m the car, Mr Conlan. who appeared very indignant, kept shaking his first towards Mr O’Higgins, who stood smiling. It was a howling mob which -'ll O’Higgins had to face when he began t 0 S peak. Ail sorts of epithets were hurled at him. chief among them being references to the shooting of Rory t/Connor and others. The word '’murderer” was freely used. References to seventy-seven executions drew from Mr O’Higgins the calm reply: “ If necessary we will execute seventy-seven more” A voice: ‘ ’You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” Describing Ins interrupters as the semirings of the streets 31 r O’Higgins said he would have little hope for Ireland if sueli were the class they had to work for m future. " Four or five years ago.” proceeded Mr O’Higgins, pointing to young men near. ” you were robbing banks and post offices, and looting the railways Now vour teeth are drawn, and now you can only yelp at a meeting. We drew your teeth, you curs.’ This attitude enraged a big section, which surged round the brake, yelling: ■■ Up De Valera! ” and “ Up Aiken! ” to which Mr O’Higgins retorted “You did a lot behind Aiken and De Valera.” A voice: “ How do you know ' Mr O’Higgins, amid deafening din. said “ Come, teVl me where you buried vour dead. Where are your private cemeteries. Where did you bury the policemen you shot ? " Rooln were the

only answers. Air O’Higgins, proceeding: “ Your real grievance is that wo cut your tails. AVe drew your fangs, you curs. You are small boys now.” Sonic arrests were made.