THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2246, 29 May 1880, Page 2

THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

A WARM RECEPTION EUR PARNELL. Much excitement and surprise lias been caused by tho determined attack made upon Mr Parnell at the Enniscorthy election meeting. Only a few months ago Mr Parnell was received in the town with the greatest enthusiasm. The object of his recent visit was to press the claims of Messrs Byrne and Barry, the candidates whom he had chosen as the exponents of his policy, upon tho electors of the Wexford county. Mr Parnell went to Enniscorthy by train, and at several points along bis route was recognised and welcomed with cheers. It was remarked, however, that from Perns the ciicors were by no means so hearty as before, and many people shouted for Chevalier G’Ciery, the third candidate. Upon alighting from the train Air Parnell received a welcome—small, however, in comparison with that accorded to Father Murphy, of Ferns, who, upon reaching his hotel, addressed the peoplc amid loud and-frequent cheers. He said no ono I hut themselves should choose the re- ; presentatives of Wexford, Were they satisfied with that man Byrne who was coming down there? (Cries of “No, no.”) They had themselves found a man to represent them who was not only prepared to take his part in tho House of Commons, but, if things came to that, and Ireland might see her way to other efforts, would also then be prepared to take his place. (Enthusiastic cheers.) Father Murphy concluded by telling his hearers that he and live other priests intended going down to the place of meeting. The crowd which gathered around the platform when the meeting commenced numbered about 13,000. The chair was taken by Father O’Gorman amidst cheering, although it had been decided by Mr Parnell’s party that another clergyman should occupy it. This incident was tho signal for a scene of the utmost disorder, aud when Mr Parnell heading a number of his followers, approached the platform, the excitement became intense. Cries were raised of “ Down with Parnell,’’ and the words were followed by prolonged cheering and waving of hats. With much difliculty Mr Parnell ascended the platform, and struggled to the front of the stand. His appearance was the signal for an uproar and confusion, lasting for several minutes. Yells, groans, cheers, and cries Idled the air. Rotten eggs were thrown at Mr Parnell, and several struck him, one-in the face. Father O’Gorman, addressing the mob, said they would hear Mr Parnell. The scene which ensued is thus described :—“ The crowd surged towards the platform shouting ami uttering cries which could not in the din be distinguished. Several cried out loudly, * Put Parnell down, put Parnell down !’ and a rush was made at him by some men on the stand. They seized him, and crying out, ‘ Parnell will go down to hell,’ endeavored to drag him down to the ground. Ho clung to the front railing, and Father Murphy and several other priests put their arms round him to protect him from the violence of his assailants, who continued to crush forward, and it appeared probable that ho would in another moment he thrown off the platform. The crowd below, hooting and shouting, caught him by tho logs, endeavoring to drag him down. In tho struggle his hat was battered and Ids trousers split up to the knee. He seemed, as far as the mob on the platform was concerned, to be almost without supporters. Mr Parnell’s attempts to gain a healing were ineffectual. Cries of ‘ Down with dictatorship,” ‘ O’Clery,’ ‘We have made our choice,’ &<y, interrupted him, and he finally retired, when the llcv. Father Murphy, in a

spcecji which was throuuliout applauded, declared himself for 'Chevalier O’Clery. ‘He is a man,’ ho said, ‘ wlio vould not play with communism or socialism, ami a man who would have little to say to ' Nihilism, but ho is a man who is an .Irish Nationalist —(cheers) —and a man .whose patriotism is npt bastard patriotism.’ (Cheers.) Mr Parnell was rudety J '" liiistled from the platform, and left the place with an escort of constabulary. . One; person who call ed for cheers for Mr Parnell was badly beaten; the whole scene from beginning to end was one of the wildest excitement, and Mr Parnell’s departure was the signal for a round of hooting and derisive shouts.”