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IRISH DEFENCE UNION
IN AID OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM ILLEGAL COERCION IN IRELAND.
WHAT BOYCOTTING MEANS—
What Boycotting means is shown by a Letter from Mr. Bagwell, of Marlfield, Clonnel, which appeared in "THE TIMES." It is the evidence of one living in the midst of the persecution, and what he says would doubtless be confirmed with exultation by those who cause the misery he describes.
WHAT BOYCOTTING MEANS—
"It means that a peaceable subject of the Queen is denied food and drink; that he is ruined in his business; that his cattle are unsealable at fair; that the smith will not shoe his horse nor the carpenter mend his cart; that old friends pass him by on the other side making the sign of the cross; that his children are hooted at the village school; that he sits apart like an outcast in his usual place of public worship. And all for doing nothing but what the law says he has a perfect right to do. I know of a man who is afraid to visit his own son. A trader is even suspected of dealing with such a victim of tyranny may be ruined by the mere imputation. His customers shun him from fear, and he is obliged to get a character from some notorious leaguer. Members of National League is, in many cases, as necessary a protection as ever was a certificate of civism under Robespierre. The real Jacobins are few, but the masses groan and submit."
It ought to be added that "Boycotting" means outrage. If a Boycotted farm is insufficiently guarded the cattle are mained or driven off, the hay and crops burnt and fences levelled, and the occupier or caretaker waylaid and heaten, or perhaps murdered.
Mr. Arthur Smith-Barry, M.P., Chairman of the Cork Defence Union, in acknowledging a Donation sent by this Union, forwards their first Annual Report, which explains how the funds have been disposed of, and
BOYCOTTING FRUSTRATED.
"Our object is to assist all citizens to exercise their rightful liberty, and with this view we have given help to boycotted farmers, tradesmen and labourers. We have provided threatening machines and other agricultural implements for boycotted persons who were otherwise unable to obtain them, and have forwarded their cattle and farm produce for sale in the English market. Boycotted carpenters and smiths have been employed to make carts, gates, &c.; labourers have been supplied to those whose men had been forced to leave them, and assistance given to small shopkeepers who were threatened with ruin. Every effort has been made to show applicants for assistance that things provided for them must be paid for at the ordinary market rates, and in this way economy in the working of the Union has been ensured. The Committee are anxious to point out that most of the assistance granted has been to labourers, artisans and the poorer class of farmers, thereby showing that Boycotting presses far more severely on the poor than on the wealthy."
"Our thanks, too, are more especially due to the Irish Defence Union in London for the valuable financial aid that they have granted us, and to our friends in England who, through the Irish Defence Union, have so nobly enabled us to carry on the contest of liberty and law against terrorism and tyranny. Had it not been for the assistance so given we could not have achieved the success which has, up to this, crowned our attempts; and we venture to express the hope, as we do not mean to relax our efforts, so will they continue in the future, as in the past, generously to afford us the means for carrying on the work in which we are engaged."
In many counties in Ireland Defence Unions have already been formed, and are most successful in rendering the efforts of the Boycotters futile. In other counties similar Associations are being organised. The object of the London Branch is to collect funds for distribution among these local bodies. The victims of Boycotting are dependent for assistance upon the liberality of the British public; their oppressors are supplied largely with funds from foreign sources. A contribution is earnestly requested.
Donations will be received by the Committee at the Offices, 22, Charing Cross, London, S.W., and by Messrs. DRUMMOND, 49, Charing Cross.
IRISH DEFENCE UNION
IN AID OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM ILLEGAL COERCION IN IRELAND.
The Irish Question is one which concerns not Ireland alone but England and Scotland. The establishment of a local legislature for Ireland, if it is not separation from Britain, is a long step towards it. The Nationalists have made no disguise that their intention is separation. They claim to have the right which they say they will exercise of imposing prohibitive duties on British goods for the protection of Irish manufactures. What is infinitely of more importance is this. It is certain that, with the present temper and feeling of the Irish people, Ireland, on the breaking out of war between Britain and any other country, would join the enemy; British ships from Bristol, Liverpool and the Clyde would have to pass Belfast and Londonderry to the north and Cork and Bantry Bay to the south, whence the enemies' privateers could conveniently watch and seize them.
This shows how England and Scotland are interested in the question.
They are also bound to assist those living in the north of Ireland, which has been peopled from England and Scotland, the settlers having trusted in British honour and in British protection. The Defence Union most sincerely believes that separation would ruin Ireland. It would involve the plunder of every landowner and of all property owners. The Nationalists claim the power of making laws which shall give them the management of the police and the appointment of magistrates and judges. It is by the independence of these latter that plunder and violence are to some extent checked.
The way in which separation is sought to be achieved is by oppression and cruelty of the most grievous and illegal character exercised on those who do not support it. Proceedings for the recovery of debts are made impossible by violence outrage and murder. Plunder, arson, houghing of cattle and sending of threatening letters prevail. Impunity follows, as no one dares to give evidence. A most intolerable tyranny is exercised by what is called "Boycotting." which shortly interpreted means "civil economic mutualism." The Boycotted man is not to be supplied with food, lodging or any necessity; no one is to sell to him, buy from him, work for him or employ him; he is passed in the street as a leper, and his own father and relatives are forbidden to speak to him. If this were voluntary on the part of the persecutors, it would be most cruel and unjust. It is not however, but is enforced by the fear that unless those guilty of it inflict this misery they may have to undergo it themselves. It is to mitigate these evils that the Irish Defence Union has been formed.
If those who desire a continuance of the Union of the two islands are in earnest they must be up and doing. If they remain quiet and indifferent there can be but one result.
Those who are oppressed by the nefarious practices above mentioned must be supported, and for that purpose money is absolutely necessary.
IRISH DEFENCE UNION
IN AID OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM ILLEGAL COERCION IN IRELAND.
General Committee.
The EARL OF BANDON, Chairman.
The Duke of Beaufort, K.G.
The Duke of Manchester, K.P.
The Duke of Westminster, K.G.
The Marquis of Waterford, K.P.
The Marquis of Drogheda, K.P.
The Marquis of Headfort.
The Marquis of Ormonde.
The Earl of Pembroke.
The Earl of Essex.
The Earl Fortescue.
The Earl of Kintore.
Gen. the Earl of Longford, G.C.B.
The Earl of Egmont.
The Earl of Shannon.
The Earl of Courtown.
The Earl of Kingston.
The Earl of Carysfort, K.P.
The Earl of Erne.
The Earl of Desar