GATHERING OF THE HARVEST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2399, 24 November 1880, Page 4

GATHERING OF THE HARVEST.

An extraordinary scene has occurred at Claremorris, in which Mr Redpath, who is said to be commissioned as correspondent by the “New York Tribune,” figures as a prominent actor. For some days the following placard has been posted in Claremorris and some adjoining parishes :—“ Hold the harvest. Last spring 2,000 men were collected at Ballintaffy to sow the Land League farms. The crops are now ripe, and again the same men are called upon to reap them. At this, post, then, every man come, without fear, and show your pluck, and that you are determined to keep your crops. Bring your scythes and hooks, an d let every man who has a horse and cart bring them also to carry away in triumph the fruit of labor free of rent and taxes. The day is coming when every man’s crop shall be free. To the front on September 14. Men of Claremorris and Gallen, noble women and brave peasant girls, come you also aiid help to bind the first sheaves of corn free of rent - and taxes that have ever been reaped in Ireland. The land for the people. Hold the harvest. God save Ireland!” About eleven o’clock in the morning a brake, in which were seated the members of the Claremorris brass band, the Rev. Father Corbett, Mr Redpath, and Mr J. P. Quinn,the Land League representatives, drove through the streets of the town, the band playing “ God save Ireland.’ A largo number of cars followed, and as the cavalcade went through the streets towards Ballintaify, women, men, and children rushed to the doors, shouting “God bless you, Father Corbett!” Balliutaffy is four miles from Claremorris. On the way the party overtook dozens of carts and large numbers of men on foot, canning scythes and sickles. The cavalcade arrived atßallintaffy about noon. More than an acre of “ the Land League oats,” as they are called, had already been cut. About 100 men, women and children were employed cutting and binding the oats. The arrival of the Rev Mr Corbett was received with loud and continued cheering by the reapers and binders. Men and women arrived until there were 500 or (100 present, each of whom worked. Women apologised for the absence of their husbands by saying they were in England earning the “ rint.” Men and women were present from Claremorris and the surrounding parishes. After the work was completed a meeting was held, the Rev James Corbett being moved to the chair, which was composed of a stock of oats. The Rev Mr Corbett praised the people for having exhibited such a spirit of independence in coming to the defence of the rights of their own class. He explained some circumstances connected with the holdings, and then introduced Mr .lames Redpath, who was received with loud cheers for the “ stars and stripes, the land of the free and the home of the brave, ” etc. Mr Redpath praised the patriot priest who had brought out his people last spring and planted these oats under the very shadow of British bayonets, for the constabulary, angry and armed, were there that day. Where were they to-day ? Conquered by an unarmed and heroic priest and people. This should teach the Irish nation a lesson as to the irresistible force of moral courage and determination. He spoke in eulogistic terms of the noble conduct of the barefooted ladies who had shown that, whenever they were called on to do duty work for Ireland they would rally, but never would do duty work for landlords again. lie described British rule in Ireland as “ the most tyrannical Government on the face of the earth.” England could not endure a heptarchy—the rule of seven despots ; yet she insisted on putting the Irish under the absolute control, not of seven, but of 100 irresponsible despots. He contrasted the conduct of the barefooted ladies before him,who cheerfully worked for their country, with the conduct of the Queen, who gave only one day’s wages to the starving poor of Ireland. Landlordism in Ireland must die if the Irish were ever to be a happy, contented, and prosperous people. Irish landlordism had better tell its heirs and executors what sized coffin it required, as the horologe of time had given warning that its hour of doom had come. But Ireland’s liberation must come from Irish unity and courage, and not from English justice or patronage. He did not join the eulogiums of Bright and Foster which some Irishman had uttered. Uncalled them “buckshooting Quakers” and earnestly urged the tenants to listen to pleas for fair rents and long leases, but to insist on a peasant proprietary. Half a loaf was not better than nothing if they could not get the whole loaf and the loaf was theirs. At the conclusion of Mr Redpath’s speech cheers were given for him, and three more for the American Republic. A large number of carts were employed all day in carrying the oats to Claremorris. When the work was done the largest brake, containing the baud follawed by along string of out sidecars and a number of carts laden with oats moved back to Claremorris. On passing the residence of a landlord some one shouted out “ Death to landlordism!” and Mr Redpath requested the band to play a funeral dirge. The band struck up the “ Head March in Saul amid great applause. On the scat of the brake was a president of a branch of the Land League, carrying in his arms a sheaf of the oats. Every man in the cars wore an ear of corn in Jus hat, and the women and children were similarly decorated. On arriving at the outskirts of the town the band struck up “ bee the Conquering Hero Comes, and the streets were thickly lined with men, women, and children, who cheered for the Rev. Mr Corbett aud the Irish National League.