JUBILEE

(SECTION NINE)

On the afternoon of March 25 th 1887 a small group of ‘Loyalists’ - not more than

thirty - gathered in the Grand Jury room in Sligo courthouse for the purpose of

“adopting a congratulatory address to the Queen on the occasion of her Jubilee” (1).

The following day “The Sligo Champion” published a list of most of those present.

While a small number of the county’s most influential figures were conspicuous by

their absence, Sir Ralph Gore-Booth (2), Col. Cooper (3), and Owen Wynne (4)

principally, the list does show that the Loyalist faction which had long controlled the

legal and political life of the county was adequately represented. Among those present

were the High Sheriff and sub-Sheriff, several landlords, solicitors, magistrates and

Justices of the Peace.

The High-Sheriff of the county, R.W. Hillas (5), occupied the chair. Among the

gathering were : T.S. Murray, M.D. ; W.R. Fenton, solicitor ; Randal Peyton, (6) Crown

Solicitor ; J.C. Davys (7) Clerk of the Crown and Peace ; Simon Cullen, J.P. (8) ; Peter

O’Connor, J.P. Cairnsfort ; Charles Sedley, Solicitor (9) ; Surgeon-Major James

Lougheed, Maheraboy, (10) ; Wlm. Alexander, sub-Sheriff ; Sir Malby Crofton, Longfield

House, Ballisodare ; C.K. O’Hara, Annaghmore ; R. Crawford ; R. Anderson ; Capt.

Armstrong R.N., Chaffpool ; Captain Gethin, Ballindoon ; J. Nelson, Mayor of Sligo ;

R.A. Duke, Newpark ; F.M. Olpherts, Mountshannon ; E. Nelson ; M.W. Phillips, J.P.,

postmaster ; Christopher L’Estrange, J.P., Kevinsfort (11) ; and A. Percival,

Templehouse (12).

According to “The Champion” a somewhat similar hole-in-the-corner ‘demonstration’

had taken place on St. Patrick’s Day a week or so earlier. This had been poorly

attended. At that meeting Malby Crofton had suggested that a committee be formed

to draw up an address to our Most Gracious Majesty but this was opposed by a

Major Campbell (who doesn’t appear to attended the meeting of March 25 th).
Campbell had proposed an amendment that funds be collected and applied to some

local project by way of commemorating the Jubilee. A compromise was agreed but

when it came to the matter of appointing a committee the Mayor objected on the

grounds that there were too few present. Accordingly, proceedings were shelved until

a ‘public’ meeting could be held to discuss the matter more thoroughly.

At the public meeting on March 25th Capt. Armstrong was appointed Secretary, and

the Mayor, Mr. L’Estrange, and Mr. Cullen, were selected as Treasurers. Apologies

were then read from those who couldn’t attend.

“The Champion” went on to detail the proceedings : The Chairman said the next

business would be to appoint a committee. Mr. Crawford considered that every part of

the county should be represented on the committee. It would be well, in his opinion,

to decide what object to which they intended to devote what might be collected. The

Mayor said that perhaps Mr. Crawford was not aware that at their last meeting the

feeling was not to mention any local object until they had seen what the fund should

amount to. Mr. Crawford thought the present a sufficiently representative meeting to

decide the matter.

Mr. Fenton was in favour of appointing a central committee with power to appoint

local committees, in order that they might have an opportunity of corresponding with

others as to whether they would be likely to act with them or not.

Mr. J.W. Sedley said that it had been suggested at the last meeting that a new

ward be added to the County Infirmary (13) and that it be called the ‘Jubilee Ward.’

Sir Malby Crofton believed they could not convert the funds to any better use

because if such a project were carried out it would be most beneficial to the town

and county of Sligo. Mr. Crawford had an idea of his own which he considered

would be most valuable if put into effect. He referred to the erection of an institution

for training nurses. Nurses were at all times most valuable, and sometimes the want

of them was sorely felt. At present if they wanted a trained nurse they would have

to send to Dublin for her which was very inconvenient, especially if they were in a

hurry (laughter). That being so, he did not see why they should not have some
institution in Sligo where women could be trained as nurses, instead of having to go

to Dublin or elsewhere. The present was an opportune time for a thing of the kind.

Mr. J.W. Sedley would not consent to Mr. Crawford’s motion about nurses at all. So

far as his own personal opinion went, he believed they had enough midwives in Sligo

without rearing up any more of them (laughter).

Dr. Lougheed thought the question that had been mooted with regard to the erection

of a ward in the Infirmary to be called the ‘Jubilee Ward’ one that would be likely to

be supported by the inhabitants of all classes and creeds. The proposition of Mr.

Crawford was indeed a very valuable one, but as one who had considerable

experience of institutions and trained nurses, he (Dr. Lougheed) would not advise such

an undertaking. At the onset they should have at least £10,000 to commence with.

He begged to propose that the money raised be devoted to building a ward in the

Infirmary called the ‘Jubilee Ward.’

Mr. J.W. Sedley had much pleasure in seconding the resolution.

Captain Armstrong thought that nothing could be more useful than a well trained

nurse. Mr. O’Connor thought the best way in which the funds could, be appropriated

would be by the erection of a lying-in ward in the Infirmary. The Mayor maintained

they were premature in applying the money to any particular purpose until they had

seen the amount of the collection. Mr. Sedley did not think they could succeed with

their collection without going before the public with some reasonable credentials for

doing so. Mr. Percival thought the best thing they could do would be to appoint a

central committee which would collect, and let people know that the money was to

be devoted to a local purpose. Mr. Fenton fully agreed with Mr. Sedley that before

they could ask the public for any money they should be in a position to let them

know what it was to be devoted to. He was sure her ‘Gracious’ Majesty, the

Queen, would be satisfied with them by devoting it to some useful purpose in the

county as to sending it over to England.

Mr. Sedley asked that the sense of the meeting be taken on Dr. Lougheed’s

proposition. Mr. Fenton thought the money could not be better expended than in

erecting a lying-in ward in the Infirmary.

 The Chairman having called for a show of hands the majority were in favour of Dr.

Lougheed’s proposition.

Mr. Fenton then proposed and Mr. O’Hara seconded, a resolution to the effect that

the following gentlemen be appointed as a central committee to carry out the wishes

of this meeting, with power to appoint local committees throughout the county, and

that the treasurers and secretaries act as ex-officio members - Col. Cooper, R.A. Duke,

Alexander Lyons, Harper Campbell, Peter O’Connor, C.K. O’Hara, Alexander Percival,

Robert Crawford, the High Sheriff, M.W. Phillips, Surgeon Major Lougheed, Captain

Armstrong and Charles Gore Jones.

Mr. J.C. Davys and Mr. W.R. Fenton were appointed secretaries to the committee.

The Mayor proposed, and Sir Malby Crofton seconded, that Messrs. Peter O’Connor,

Alexander Percival, W.R. Fenton, J. C. Davys, and R.A. Duke, be requested to act as

a committee to draw up a ‘loyal’ address to her ‘most gracious’ Majesty on the

occasion of her jubilee. The resolution was passed.

The Mayor having been moved to the second chair and a vote of thanks having

been passed to the High Sheriff for presiding, the meeting adjourned.

As the day of the Jubilee approached Loyalist members of the Corporation now

moved to introduce a motion to that body to the effect that an address be presented

to the Queen congratulating her on her Jubilee as had been done on various royal

occasions in the past. Accordingly, a special meeting of the Corporation was

summoned for the Town Hall on June 1st to debate the matter. This meeting, which

was held in the Town Clerk’s office, appears to have been well attended, both by

members of the Corporation and the general public. Two plain-clothes policemen

remained present during the proceedings.

The Mayor, J. Nelson, J.P. presided. Other members of the Corporation present

were : Aldermen F.Higgins, R. McDonough, J.P. ; J. Kidd ; W.A. Woods ; and C. Sedley ;

Counsellors T. Connolly ; M. Milmoe ; P.A. McHugh ; J. Chrystal ; P. O’Connor ; O.

Dolan; P. Keighron, J.P. ; J. Connolly ; P. Collery ; J. Walsh, J.P. ; J.W. Sedley ; F.

Nelson ; R. Crawford ; A. Jackson ; R. Pettigrew ; B. Maveety.

On June 4th “The Champion” reported :

 The Town Clerk (Mr. Mcgill) having read the notice convening the meeting, the

Mayor said he hoped the Council would adhere to its usual course and discuss the

matter calmly and quietly (hear, hear). It was not alone his wish, but the wish of

every member of the Council that they should consider the address in the spirit of

fair play for which their body had become lately proverbial (hear, hear).

Counsellor Jackson said he had prepared an address to their sovereign lady,

which, he felt sure, they would unanimously adopt (hear, hear, and laughter). The

following was the address which he had prepared :

Address of the Mayor and Corporation of Sligo to her Most Gracious Majesty

Queen Victoria :

“We, the Mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the Borough of Sligo, beg leave most

respectfully to congratulate your Majesty on having attained to the Jubilee of your

illustrious reign.

“As Sovereign of the great Empire over which you reign, it must be gratifying to

your Majesty to have observed during this long period the great progress your people

have made in science, arts, and commerce.

“We also find that your Majesty’s influence, which has always been exercised for

good, and your Majesty’s many estimable virtues, have not only endeared you to

your subjects, but have largely tended to promote their happiness and welfare.

“We feel grateful that a kind Providence has so long spared your Majesty’s useful

life and we heartily pray that your beneficent reign may be prolonged for many years

to come over a loyal, prosperous and happy people.”

The Mayor asked if any gentleman had a resolution to propose on the subject :

Mr. Crawford begged to propose - “That the address to her Most Gracious Majesty,

the Queen, now read, be adopted and engrossed, and signed by the Mayor and the

Town Clerk, the seal of the Corporation of Sligo be affixed thereto, and that it be

presented to her Majesty.”

In proposing that resolution he wished to say that it would be almost superfluous

for him to refer to the brilliant virtues of their present Queen, who was a paragon of

everything that was both good and popular, consequently it was but meet that an
address should be presented to her. They did not admire the Queen as she was

represented with a sceptre in her hand, but because she was always foremost in her

sympathies with the needy and distressed (Tory cheers). She was not the Queen of a

party, but the Queen of all parties, therefore, all Ireland, in his opinion, should

heartily join in presenting her with an address at this conspicuous time. That being

so he earnestly hoped that the address that had been read would be heartily and

good humouredly adopted by every member of the Council. In conclusion he trusted

the address would be seconded by some gentleman on the other side of the house

(laughter).

Mr. John Ward - This room is too small, Mr. Mayor, and I think really you should

adjourn the meeting to the Council Chamber, we are greatly crushed here (hear,

hear).

Councillor Milmoe - There is a great number of persons outside, Mr. Mayor, and I

think it would be well if provision could be made in order that they may hear the

proceedings.

Mayor - It would be rather inconvenient at the present stage of our meeting. Had it

been suggested before the proceedings commenced I should have gladly acceded to

the request but now it is too late (14).

Alderman Sedley had great pleasure in seconding Mr. Crawford’s resolution because

he believed the address was one that no person could object to, whether Liberal,

Conservative or Radical. A public address was one which rarely was presented

during the life time of a person occupying the exalted position of Queen and

consequently it would ill become that address to draw politics into it. The address

which it was proposed to present to her Majesty being altogether free from politics,

he sincerely hoped the Nationalist members of the Council would not object to its

presentation (“no,” “no,” and “yes,” “yes.”)

Councillor Walsh thought he could not for a moment say that he very much

disagreed with the address which he had heard read, at the same time he believed

it was not necessary for the Corporation of Sligo to propose an address of that

nature in order to show that they were loyal to the Queen. However, the present
was not the proper time for such addresses when they were in the eve of a

Coercion Act being passed (hear, hear). Under these circumstances he did not think

an address at all desirable (hear, hear). He begged to propose an amendment, that

no address be presented from the Corporation of Sligo.

Mr. John Ward - Good. (laughter).

Mr. Walsh went on to say that the Corporations of Dublin, Cork, Waterford and

Limerick had discountenanced the idea of presenting any address and he did not

see why Sligo should not follow in the same way (hear, hear).

Mr. John Ward - Bravo, Tipperary (hear, hear). (15)

The Mayor asked if any person would second the amendment.

Alderman McDonough, who, on rising, was received with cheers, seconded the

amendment. He said one of the reasons why he considered it right to support the

amendment was because he had always looked upon the position he occupied in the

Council as that of merely a representative. No matter what position they may occupy,

whether as private individuals or otherwise, the moment they entered the Council room

they entered it as representatives of the burgesses of Sligo (hear, hear). These

opinions he had always held as intended to hold until such time as he might do

wrong, and then he would resign the trust held in him. Well, he believed he was

acting strictly in accordance with the wishes of the burgesses of the ward he

represented by supporting the amendment (hear, hear). With regard to the

expressions of loyalty that had been mentioned in the address, he thoroughly approved

of them because he believed she acted the part of a good Queen, as the crowned

head of these countries. However, there were particular and special reasons why, at

present, there should be no room for jubilation or joy in Ireland because they were

on the eve of having a very severe Coercion Bill passed. In fact, it would be nothing

short of hypocrisy for any Irishman to stand up and express joy on the present

occasion ; therefore, under these circumstances he was thoroughly in accord with the

amendment that had been proposed (hear, hear). Should that amendment be carried,

as he believed it would, it would not be the means of manifesting the veriest iota of

disloyalty to the Queen inasmuch as the Council had on all occasions been the
medium of expressing loyalty to the crowned head of Great Britain. The Nationalist

party of Ireland in refusing to adopt similar addresses, did not wish it to be conveyed

that they were in any way disloyal, but they consider the present is not an opportune

season for public bodies taking any part whatever in the joy which certain sections of

the people were about to manifest at the coming jubilee of the Queen (hear, hear).

The Mayor enquired whether it was the intention of any other member to speak to

the address or amendment.

Alderman Kidd and Councillor McHugh supported the amendment.

Councillor Milmoe believed that the National party all over Ireland would be more

than anxious to compliment the Queen provided they found themselves in a position

to do so (hear, hear). At the present time her Majesty’s advisers were engaged in

taking away the constitutional rights of the people, therefore it was not to be expected

that the Council should take part in the jubilee. They were perfectly within their rights

in making a protest against the present state of affairs and if they were to do

anything else they would be acting as the greatest cowards and slaves (hear, hear).

It would be looked upon as an indication that they were satisfied with the present

state of affairs if they were to join in a jubilee address to the Queen because they

will never rest satisfied until they have the management of their own affairs (hear,

hear). From the English point of view the Queen was a sovereign whose reign was

marked with prosperity but unfortunately their prosperity was shown by the fact that

during her reign they had no less than forty eight Coercion Acts and were fast

approaching the forty ninth (groans). Well, who was it that was asking them to join in

congratulating her Majesty ? Was it not the Conservative members of that Council

who came down there the other day and said that Coercion was necessary for this

country ? Those very gentlemen had the temerity to ask them with the same breath

to present an address to the Queen. He would say that under no circumstances

would an address be presented from their body (hear, hear). When the time comes

when such an address might be passed - when the Queen shall deliver up to them

their old Parliament in College Green - then, and not till then, shall they ask their
Conservative friends to help them in preparing a suitable address to her Majesty

(cheers).

Councillor Jackson said that it had never been anticipated that the address should

form the basis of a political discussion. He had always gone in for freedom of

speech and action for all parties, and hoped they would be allowed the same latitude

by their opponents as they had given them. It was the duty of every ‘loyal’ servant

of the ‘Crown’ to congratulate the Queen on having attained the jubilee of her reign.

There was no clause in the address that any member could take exception to.

Mr. John Ward - No : not even John Brown (laughter) (16).

Councillor Jackson thought these observations most uncalled for inasmuch as the

address contained nothing of a party spirit. It was solely an address to her Majesty,

and he considered the members of the Council perfectly within their right in proposing

that that address be presented to her. He did not see why the Corporation of Sligo

should be guided by the action of the councillors of Dublin or Cork, because they

were as well entitled to their opinions as any or all of those bodies. Conservatives

and Nationalists had always worked amicably together in Sligo and he hoped they

would continue so by adopting the address that had been read (cries of “no”, “no”).

Councillor Collery supported the amendment and in doing so expressed it as his

opinion that Mr. Jackson and his side of the house were perfectly justified in

expressing their views and convening a meeting of the Council for the purpose of

drawing up an address to the Queen. However, he also thought the Nationalists

members were likewise justified in expressing their views on the subject (hear, hear).

As the Nationalists of Sligo had decided that no address should be presented to the

Queen he was prepared to join them in that course (hear, hear). He considered it

would be the duty and the right of not alone the Nationalists of Sligo but of all

Ireland to express their loyalty to Queen Victoria as well as their abhorrence of the

cursed system of government under which they live (hear, hear). It had been every

other day thrown in his face that the Nationalists of Ireland were ‘separated’ (“no”).

He was happy to say that such was not the case (cheers). His friends on the

opposite side of the house called themselves ‘loyalists’ for the purpose of trying to
show that the Nationalists were the disloyal portion of the community. In fact, the

Tory members of the Council - at least some of them - imagined that they were the

‘loyal’ people. Well, he for one emphatically denied that assertion (hear, hear). He

denied that the members who were sympathisers of those who would line the ditches

from Derry to Cork, if necessary, with bludgeon men and who would keep the

powder in their guns, had any right to arrogate to themselves the name of ‘loyalists’

(loud applause). The very men who would kick the Queen’s crown into the Boyne, as

the saying is, were the very men who called themselves ‘loyalists’. Because the

Nationalist members of the Council, had not voted for the address to the Queen it

would probably be said that they were not loyal. That, he also maintained, was not

true. The Nationalists of Ireland would not kick the Queen’s crown into the Boyne nor

into the Garvogue (17) either (hear, hear, and laughter.) Instead of doing anything of

the kind they would pick up the Queen’s crown and crown her in College Green as

the Queen of Ireland (hear, hear). That being so he wished it to be distinctly

understood that he totally denied the presumption of those persons arrogating to

themselves that they, and they alone, were the ‘loyalists’ of Ireland (cheers). As to

the address, any sensible or reasonable person could easily see that it possessed a

political meaning. The present Government was making all the political capital that

they possibly could out of the Jubilee, therefore, the Council should have nothing to

do with it (hear, hear). Even the Tories themselves regretted it because it was most

unfortunate for them that the Jubilee and the Coercion Bill should happen the same

year (hear, hear). He would like to know when it was they could avoid holding a

Queen’s Jubilee and passing a Coercion Bill in the same year because the Tories

could not possibly celebrate a Jubilee without a Coercion Act being in its train

(cheers). In fact, it was only an everyday occurrence to be celebrating a Queen’s

jubilee and a Coercion Act at the one and the same time. So long as the Irish

people were governed through Westminster, so long will they have Coercion Acts. So

long as the people were muzzled and misgoverned by those who do not understand

either their sentiments or aspirations, so long shall they have Coercion Acts with all

their concomitant evils (groans). He would tell the Government that the people will
never lie down tamely until the Government of Westminster be withdrawn (hear,

hear). He was not one of those who did not admire the reign of Queen Victoria. He

did admire it because the English people and herself have been happy and

prosperous, what the people of this unfortunate country could not boast of (hear,

hear). Without any impropriety on their part, the language used by Edmund Burke in

the memorable impeachment of Warren Hastings (18) might be repeated today over

all her colonies where butcheries and persecutions have been carried out during

Victoria’s reign (hear, hear). For his part, he believed the Queen was simply a tool in

the hands of her Ministers and her rapacious people who build up imaginary

prosperity before her eyes but which does not exist. The Irish people had been

sorely treated and persecuted until within the last fifty or a hundred years when

England’s tyrannical government found that it was impossible for them to carry out

those persecutions within 200 miles of Westminster Abbey (applause). These Ministers

of the Queen may gloat over the enormous prosperity which her reign had produced

in England and which had brought countless persecutions on her oppressed subjects

(hear, hear). Under these circumstances, and without any disrespect whatever to the

Queen, he would not have the slightest objection to present the Queen with an

address ; but until that wished-for event in the history was consummated he, for one,

would be no party to anything of the kind (hear, hear).

Councillor Crawford asked what would be the consequence if other public bodies in

Ireland were of the same opinion. It was but right that they should celebrate the

jubilee of their Queen.

Mr. John Ward - Yes, when you have a Parliament in College Green but not till then.

Councillor Crawford regretted very much the opinions that had been expressed by

certain members of the Council in reference to the address.

Councillor Sedley said the position the Nationalist section of the Council occupied

in opposing the presentation of an address to the Queen was most peculiar because

she is a good, virtuous, woman and richly deserving of an address (laughter).

Alderman Woods was of the opinion that the tone of the Council had been

considerably brought down of late years in consequence of their trying to adopt the
loose principles of the age in which they live (cries of “Withdraw”). There was a time

when the Council was robed in a noble manliness, and when the Conservative

members of it were its leaders, but those days alas ! have fled and he feared would

never return (loud laughter). But for their own baseness the Conservatives would

have been in the majority that day, instead of being in the minority (renewed laughter

and cheers). (19) Well, he hoped, they would yet regain their pristine hold (“no,”

“no”). Not very long ago their good Queen -

Mr. John Ward - Where are you leaving Billy of the Boyne ? (Laughter).

Alderman Woods - Not long ago their virtuous Queen and her charitable son

(laughter) were spoken of in a most derisive and unbecoming manner by a gentleman

who occupied the position which their present Mayor now held. The Conservative

representative of their Conservative Queen should know more than that (roars of

laughter). They had been told that the position of the Tory party had been reduced

and it was so (laughter). Why was it reduced ? Because it was not true to its

principles (renewed laughter). The only chance they had of sustaining themselves

was by an united and firm action. Had the Conservative burgesses of the West

ward been united at the last election they would not have been ignominiously beaten

(loud cheers). In days gone by when the Almighty had been pleased to visit this

country with a great calamity did not the people of England send £12,000,000 to

keep the life in the people ?

Councillor Thomas Connolly asked that a poll might be taken on the address at

once and not be wasting the whole time of the Council unnecessarily.

After some further discussion a poll was taken with the following result : -

For the amendment : Aldermen Higgins, McDonough, Kidd ; Councillors, McHugh,

Milmoe, Collery, J. Connolly, T. Connolly, Dolan, Chrystal, Keighton, O’Connor, Walsh -

13.

Against : Aldermen Sedley, Wood ; Councillors, Crawford, Jackson, F. Nelson, F.

Sedley, Pettigrew, and the Mayor - 9.

The amendment was accordingly declared carried amidst applause.

 On the same date, 4th June, “The Freeman’s Weekly Journal” added what might be

termed a foot-note to the above. It revealed that at a private meeting of six

Nationalist members of Sligo Corporation held on June 1 st it was resolved to draw up

an address to the Queen in opposition to the one about to be presented by the

Conservative members of that body. The Borough branch of the Irish National League

have also adopted the address. Messrs. M. Milmoe and T. Connolly T.C.s dissented

from the address (20).

Within days of the resolution’s defeat the Sligo Borough branch of the Irish National

League passed the following motion : That this branch expresses its satisfaction and

thanks to the National members of the Corporation for their spirited and patriotic

action in regard to the address to the Queen at last Wednesday’s meeting.

On June 4th “The Champion” also carried a report that the Sligo Harbour Board had

recently passed a motion calling for a special meeting of the Board for the following

Thursday to consider and adopt an address to her Majesty, and that the Chairman

(E.J. Tighe, J.P.), together with Messrs. Jackson and Cullen, form a committee for the

purpose of drafting the address. Mr. Cullen said he had particular pleasure in

supporting the motion. When Our Lord came on earth he told the people to give

Caesar his due. Respect and loyalty were due to the Sovereign by the people of

Sligo. Mr. Cullen concluded by informing the meeting that the Pope was to send a

beautiful present to the Queen on the occasion of her jubilee. Mr. Collery (21)

objected to the resolution and demanded a poll. Alderman Kidd supported the

resolution. The Chairman did not vote and Alderman Higgins had left. The other

members voted for the motion.

When the special meeting of the Board did take place on June 9 th it turned out to

be quite acrimonious. The details are worth recounting in so far as they give a

valuable insight into the temperament of the Board at the time.

E.J. Tighe J.P., presided. Other Commissioners present were : Alderman Kidd, J.P. ;

Alex. Lyons J.P. ; Henry Lyons, J.P. ; the Mayor (James Nelson J.P.,) ; R. Crawford,

J.P. ; B. Hunter ; A. Middleton ; S. Cullen, J.P. ; and J.F. Harper.

 The Secretary (Mr. S.M. Cherry) having announced the object for which the meeting

was convened Mr. Crawford suggested that he read the address. Mr. Cherry was

about to when Mr. Kidd objected on the ground that he was not a member of the

committee who (sic) had been deputed to draw it up and could not, therefore, read

it. Mr. Crawford said they had appointed Mr. Cherry as their secretary.

Mr. Kidd maintained that the address could only be read by a member of the

committee. Mr. Crawford accordingly relinquished his idea and order having been

restored the Chairman proceeded to read the address as follows :

Address to her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria.

“May it please your Majesty - We, the Harbour Commissioners of Sligo, do earnestly

desire to unite with your other loyal subjects in congratulating your Majesty that a

kind providence has permitted your Majesty to see the jubilee of your illustrious

reign. We feel that your Majesty’s influence has always been exercised in aid of

works of benevolence, and encouraging the establishment of institutions having for

their objects the improvement of your people.

We refer with pride to the great national progress that has marked the period since

your Majesty’s accession to the throne, and it must be gratifying to your Majesty to

have seen the growth and prosperity of the Empire and Colonies, and also to see

your Majesty’s subjects, both at home and abroad, joining in expressing their

devotion, loyalty, and attachment to your Majesty’s throne and person.

We earnestly pray that your Majesty may be spared for many years to reign over

an united Empire, and a loyal, attached, and prosperous people.”

Mr. Alex. Lyons, as one of the committee who had prepared the address, begged

to propose the following resolution on the subject -

“Resolved - That the address to her Most Gracious majesty, Queen Victoria, now

read, be adopted and engrossed, and signed by the chairman and secretary, and

sealed and forwarded for presentation to her Majesty.”

In proposing that resolution he would be as brief as possible, and would not delay

the time of the board in speaking of the matter which, he felt sure, they had all at

heart. He referred to the presentation of the address to their Sovereign (hear, hear).
For himself, as well as for the other members of the committee, he should say that

they endeavoured, when drafting the address, to make it a truly complimentary, and

not a political, one (hear, hear). It had got nothing to do with politics either one way

or the other, and consequently had nothing to do with the burning subjects of the

day. It was solely a complimentary address to their constitutional Sovereign and no

one deserved it better than she does, for her government is a most excellent one.

Although the government was undoubtedly a monarchical one, to his mind it seemed

one of the greatest and grandest republics on the face of the earth.

Why was it that he called it a republic ? Because, correctly speaking, the Government

was solely in the hands of the people. The people, through their representatives,

make the laws, and her Majesty gives her sanctions to these laws. Today the

humblest man in the Kingdom can rise to the highest position in the State. In fact,

he can aspire to every position under the Crown, except that of the throne itself

(hear, hear). Plain, humble, individuals have been ennobled, and have risen to the

rank of Prime Minister of England. Some have become barons, earls, and dukes,

which was all owing to the healthy form of government under which we live. One of

the greatest examples of what power the people have in their hands to confer was

strikingly shown in the fact that the late Lord Beaconsfield, when only plain Mr.

Disraeli, through his instrumentality, had raised her Majesty to the proud and grand

title of Empress of India (hear, hear). Almost every society, as well as every

corporate body in Ireland had unanimously adopted congratulatory addresses to their

Sovereign (hear, hear). That being so, it was no wonder that such an important body

as the Sligo Harbour Commissioners should also prove their loyalty to their Queen

by adopting an address on this her jubilee (hear, hear). He was glad to see no

dissentient among them, and hoped they would adopt it unanimously (hear, hear).

Mr. Cullen said he had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. As a wife and as

a mother, their Queen was beyond comparison. Her Government too was the best on

earth (hear, hear). Some twenty years ago, when travelling on the continent, he had

occasion to bring to mind the happy form of Government which he had left behind

him (loyal cheer). He travelled through Italy and France, and although these are
termed free governments, he never felt at home till he had returned to Canada. It

was within the British dominion alone that he expected true happiness (hear, hear). In

those countries he was hampered and restricted by passports. Well, such was not the

case in England. There are many who enjoy freedom from all such restraint (cheers).

In Canada he learnt that the people enjoyed Home Rule, and he hoped soon to see

Home Rule established in this country upon the same basis. There, the established

religion was Roman Catholic which spoke well for the toleration extended to those

people by her Majesty’s Government (renewed loyal cheers). In conclusion he begged

to second the adoption of the resolution with all his heart.

Alderman Kidd supported the resolution. He was, he said, on all occasions in favour

of constitutional action, and consequently he felt extreme pleasure in being the

medium of supporting the resolution before the chair (hear, hear). The Irish people

had always been proverbial for their loyalty to their Sovereign, and as such it was

but meet that they should present her with an address upon the present occasion

(hear, hear).

Mr. Crawford also supported the address. In doing so he expressed his gratification

at the fact of Alderman Kidd having become a convert -

Alderman Kidd - A what ?

Mr. Crawford - Alderman Kidd had changed his views since the meeting of the

Corporation and had become a convert.

Alderman Kidd (warmly) - I am not a convert, Mr. Crawford. I deny that.

Chairman - Order, gentleman.

Mr. Crawford knew for a fact that Alderman Kidd voted against the resolution that

had been proposed at the last meeting of the Corporation in favour of presenting an

address to her Majesty.

Mr. Kidd - Allow me –

Chairman - Order, order.

Alderman Kidd continued to say that he had always expressed the same opinions

that he expressed today. On previous occasions when addresses had been presented

to the Prince and Princess of Wales he supported them as a loyal subject of the
constitution, and would do so again tomorrow if need be (hear, hear). Mr. Crawford,

in his opinion, might have saved himself the trouble of having referred to such

matters at all.

Mr. Crawford - The tree is known by its fruit.

Alderman Kidd - Mr. Chairman, I –

Chairman - Really, gentlemen, I do not think there is any necessity for such

remarks.

Alderman Kidd - I deny his right to use such remarks.

Mr. Crawford - Better put the resolution, Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting and there being no dissent he

declared it carried. The proceedings then terminated.

The following undated letter appeared in “The Champion” in the same edition :

To the Editor Sligo Champion.

St. Paul’s Clerkenwell,

45 Colebrooke-row, London.

Dear Sir – Will you be kind enough to allow the enclosed to appear, and, if

possible, call special attention to the project in your columns.

Very obediently,

A. Styleman Herring (22).

At this point the Editor intervened to comment : “The following is the letter referred

to by Mr. Herring. We have much pleasure in directing the attention of our readers to

it. It will amuse them. Mr. Herring has evidently taken time by the forelock and gone

‘downright mad,’ even before the 21 st of June. On that date he will, no doubt, be

wearing the ‘white favour’ of a straight jacket in Bedlam :”

“Sir - The nearer we approach the Jubilee the greater is the enthusiasm and

general outburst of loyalty and patriotism. Would it not be well on Sunday June 19 th -

but universally on the longest and most glorious of days - Tuesday June 21 st - if

every man, woman, and child were tastefully decorated on their (sic) left breast with

a white favour - ribbon or rosette ? white being the emblem or mark of purity and
goodness ; and remembering that in her youthful days her Majesty promised, “I will

be good,” a grand resolve which our most beloved Sovereign has for fifty years

carried out. In the depths of our hearts we are mightily proud of our Queen and our

country

Breathes there a man with a soul so dead,

Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own - my native land !

Thank the Almighty, dear old England is not ‘played out’ yet but is daily becoming

stronger, nobler, and more formidable, since righteousness exalteth, and continues to

exalt, every nation ; though sin, personal or national, is a reproach to any people -

even with the wife of our early choice we affirm -

“ With all thy faults we love thee still.”

We can afford occasionally to be styled “mad” by other nations ; and on this

Jubilee occasion let us prove ourselves “downright mad” with delight and happiness

and that we are not ashamed, but proud, to show our colours.

We are glad to see that June 21 st is a proclaimed holiday. Let the upper and

middle classes and well-to-do vie with each other in deeds of goodwill and charity,

making it ‘a day of all days’ for their less favoured brethren, by generously giving

feasts, medals, cards, entertainments and presents, and so make it a ‘season’ much

to be remembered throughout the land. It is possible that the House of Commons or

Lord Chamberlain, may appoint something very distinctive ; but at all events, let

sweethearts, with all love and affection, pin on those white favours or rosettes to

their breasts and husbands proudly embellish with ribbons their wives and children,

and in their very best holiday clothes make this 21st June in the year of our Lord

1887, the grandest of all days ; and, in addition, let those capable of bearing a good

stout stick of British oak gallantly march forth showing they ‘mean business’ for their

Queen and country.”

Yours most respectfully,

A Loyalist.
 In an Editorial on June 18th “The Champion” had this to say : -

The ‘Loyalists’ of Sligo are going to have a great blow over on next Tuesday in

honour of Queen Victoria’s jubilee. During the past week notices have been

conspicuously posted in their shop windows informing the public that they intend to

give a holiday to their employees by closing their establishments upon that day. We

understand that a few Catholic flunkeys, whose names have always been conspicuous

by their absence from the muster roll of everything that is National, also intend to

‘shut shop’ in commemoration of the event.

Back on April 2nd “The Champion” had taken the trouble to remind its readers, as if

they needed reminding, that there could be other ways of marking Victoria’s jubilee,

and not all of them necessarily peaceful (23). Under the heading ‘Comforting News’ it

had this to say :

The London correspondent of the Dublin ‘Evening Mail’ says - It will comfort many

people to know that the Government are taking every possible precaution against the

reoccurrence of dynamite outrages. More money is being spent just now on

detectives and on special operations to counteract American-Irish machinations than

has ever been spent before on similar objects. Every building of importance is being

carefully watched, the strictest look-out is being kept at the different ports and railway

stations, and the police have a constant eye upon certain suspicious individuals who

continue to move mysteriously in different parts of the metropolis. As in London, so in

the provinces, where the authorities, I am informed, are equally vigilant. Possibly

there may be no diabolical outrages in the immediate future to excite the public

indignation, but it is well to be on the safe side, and the authorities are determined

not to be caught napping.

As Jubilee day approached “The Weekly Freeman’s Journal” on June 18 th poo-hooed

the notion that dynamiters were on the loose and were plotting to pull off a

sensation. Headed - ‘Murderous Machinations of Would-be Terrorists,’ and ‘Latest

Appeal to British Passion,’ the Editor wrote :

We print exactly as circulated the following compound. It emanates from the Central

News, which seems anxious to claim whatever credit attaches to the authorship.
Every country under the sun appears to have been ransacked for materials. If a

parrot produced it, it would not be the fault of the Central News. This agency has

been noted since the Home Rule debate for its specially Unionist character. It has in

fact become the Unionist medium. It goes in for ‘special events’ as a speciality and

no doubt the following compilation comes within that category :

“The Central News is enabled to state that information has been received in London

of such a character that there can be now no doubt that the dynamite faction have

made arrangements of an outrage or series of outrages during Jubilee week. The

authorities however have full knowledge of the conspiracy and of those engaged in it

and are confident that they will be able to defeat the murderous machinations of the

would-be terrorists. For months past reports as to the more prominent members of

the conspiracy abroad and their probable accomplices at home have been received in

London almost daily and during the same period all the chief ports of the United

Kingdom have been closely watched in anticipation of the possible arrival without

previous notification from our agents abroad of certain suspected individuals. In Paris

the movements of the real Patrick Casey (24), with whose passport the Maharajah

Dhuleep Singh (25) travelled to Russia, have been attracting considerable attention on

the part of the English detectives who are on duty in the French capital. Casey and

his associates have been every active lately but as they are well known there has

been no difficulty in keeping them in sight. Certain persons in Paris, outside the

Casey ring, also have been receiving an amount of earnest attention, of which it is

possible they may receive disagreeable proof. Our agents have been equally active in

America and their operations have not been confined to New York. On the 3 rd inst.

O’Donovan Rossa (26) complained to the New York police that he was ‘being

shadowed by British detectives in a manner so persistent and obtrusive as to make

his life miserable.’ Rossa however, was evidently desirous of an advertisement for he

is not of sufficient importance to require, and has not received, much attention at the

hands of the British detectives (27).”

The ‘Freeman’s Weekly’ also carried the following pieces on the same date :
 The London correspondent of the ‘Daily Express’ is not to be beaten in any

competition, and this morning he declares :

“Great precautions are being taken at Westminster Abbey, no stranger being

allowed, even after being admitted on the Lord Chamberlain’s order, to move a yard

without being followed by a detective or policeman. Threats as to dynamite have been

received, and it is quite true that the fear of it is very great. During the night the

Abbey is watched by a hundred policemen and twenty firemen, all picked men.”

(Press Association Telegram.)

London, Thursday.

The Scotland Yard authorities do not endorse any of the statements regarding the

possible dynamite outrages, except as to the movements of Pat Casey and his

associates having recently attracted and received due attention. It may be added that

for months the movements of suspected dynamiters have been watched, and the

police believe these precautions are sufficient to frustrate outrages of this kind

whenever attempted.

When eventually it did arrive Jubilee day passed off uneventfully and the Nationalist

press gave scant notice to the celebrations. At the time the minds of most

Nationalists were focused on the forthcoming Coercion Bill and the on-going evictions

at Bodyke in Co. Clare, and wherever the Jubilee goings-on did get mention it was

usually of a negative kind. For its part “The Freeman’s Weekly Journal” dismissed the

events in Sligo with something close to an indifferent shrug :

Sligo, Tuesday.

The celebration of the Queen’s jubilee passed off quietly. Mostly, all the Protestant

establishments were closed. One Catholic establishment belonging to Mr. Simon Cullen

was closed but the employees refused to keep the day a holiday and remained

indoors. A black flag was hoisted on the Abbey which was taken down by District

Inspector Hinkson. Similar devices were displayed in other parts of the town but met

with like fate.

On June 26th ‘The Champion’ commented : The celebrations of Queen Victoria’s

Jubilee was a rather tame affair. No joy-bells ushered in the fiftieth year of her
Majesty’s coercion reign. Like the rest of Ireland, Sligo stood sternly and sorrowfully

aloof. There was little or no jubilation during the day, if we might except the closing

of some Protestant houses of business, a few which displayed what they were

pleased to term bunting, consisting of tawdry rags, on which were representations of

the ‘Union Jack,’ Crescent, and other meaningless devices. With the exception of the

establishment belonging to Messrs. O’Connor and Cullen, all the Catholic houses of

business were open, as usual, during the day. A miniature Union Jack, which created

much comment, was hung out from one of the windows in Mr. Garvey’s house, in Jail

Street, overlooking the offices of Mr. H.J. Tully, solicitor ; but beyond this solitary

exhibition of flunkeyism, the Catholic portion of the community abstained altogether

from any display. Bunting was exhibited from the Custom House, Town Hall, Court-

house and Orange lodge, as well as from the various shipping in the harbour.

Strange to say, the Constabulary barracks were devoid of the smallest vestige of

decoration. With the exception of the places mentioned, the absence of flags and

bunting was most striking. A black flag which was hoisted on the tower of the old

Abbey, was taken down by orders of District Inspector Hinkson. Similar devices which

were displayed in other parts of the town met with a like fate. During the early part

of the day a large number of excursionists betook themselves to the Point and other

places of resort. Police patrols, both in uniform and plain clothes, paraded the streets

until a late hour for the purpose of coping with any disturbance that might occur ; but

we are happy to state that their services were not required. At twelve o’clock a feu

de joie was fired off by the troops in the garrison, who filed past the drill field at

Cartron and in the evening athletic sports, consisting of fifteen events, were held in

the same field. The principal event of the card was a “tug of war” between the

military and the constabulary in which the latter, under the able captaincy of Mr. J.F.

Hikson, D.I., carried off the palm. After the victors had won the prize allotted to

them, they very generously handed it over to their opponents in order that they might

drink “their” health. Everything passed off good humouredly, and nothing occurred to

mar the evening’s amusements. Very few spectators, however, attended and even

these, for the greater part, were composed entirely of youngsters. On the whole, we
are glad to be able to chronicle that no ugly scenes took place. We are not aware

that any special services were held in any of the churches during the day in

commemoration of the event.

“The Weekly Freeman’s Journal” went on to describe the day’s happenings in

Dublin.

The decorations in Dublin were very meagre and confined altogether to Castle

worshippers and English agencies. Only about a half a dozen buildings showed

illuminations at night. One of those was Trinity College outside which a large crowd

sang the Irish national anthem.

The only unpleasant incident that occurred was an encounter between a number of

people in Rutland Square and a body of policemen. At about eleven o’clock a crowd

of two hundred persons consisting principally of women and children assembled

outside the residence of his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin. They were cheering in

a very hearty manner but nothing in the nature of a disturbance seemed likely to

occur when thirty or forty policemen who had followed the crowd of people from

O’Connell Street thought fit to disperse the gathering by force. A gentleman who

witnessed the proceedings informs us that he is prepared to prove that the police

beat the people most unmercifully. He states that he saw a constable kicking a man

on the ground and learned that a woman was similarly maltreated. The matter is one

in any event that calls for investigation by the police authorities.

By midnight the streets had resumed their normal appearance, the crowds dispersing

soon after eleven in an orderly manner.

On June 22nd “The New York Times” carried a number of reports of the day in

Ireland and elsewhere : -

Cork, 21st June.

A mob attacked the offices of “The Constitution,” a Conservative newspaper, and

smashed windows in the building. A body of police rushed to the scene and charged

on the mob but the rioters broke through their ranks injuring several of the officers.

The police made another charge on the mob with drawn staves which they used with

good effect and succeeded in dispersing them. Fifty persons were reported injured.
One man who had been arrested for participating in the riot was searched in the

presence of the Mayor and although his pockets were found full of stones that

functionary ordered his release.

Belfast, June 21st : -

While Jubilee bands were passing through the Carrick Hills district this evening they

were attacked by a party of Catholics. The Orangemen of the district took sides with

the bands. Stones flew thick and fast for about fifteen minutes when policemen

appeared on the scene and drove the mob down the narrow streets in the vicinity.

The mob, increasing in numbers, returned and fought with greater violence than

before for fully an hour. The police found themselves powerless to cope with the

violence and summoned assistance. When this arrived batons were drawn and the

mob was scattered in all directions. Several policemen were injured in the affray.

Berlin, June 21st :-

According to the “Reichsanzeiter” ‘all civilised nations and especially Germany, give

loud expression to their sympathy with the Queen.’

Copenhagen, June 21st : -

The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, Prince Waldemar and the diplomatic

body, attended a Jubilee service today at the British Legation.

Adelaide, South Australia, June 21st :-

In honour of the Queen’s Jubilee a fete was given to 16,000 children, and 2,500

people were given a dinner.

Brisbane, Queensland, 21st June :-

Governor Musgrave held a levee today and a fete was given to 1,000 State school

children.

St. Petersburg, June 21st : -

The ‘Journal de Petersbourg’ referring to Queen Victoria’s Jubilee says ‘all civilised

nations unite in congratulating the British people and in hoping that the Queen may

reign many years more preserving the blessings of peace.’

Under the heading “The Queen’s Jubilee at Templeboy” the following appeared in

“The Champion” on June 25th : -

 (From our correspondent)

On Tuesday last it was rumoured that Mr. Petrie, fishery owner, & etc. was to

head a demonstration at Aughris, held in celebration of her Majesty’s jubilee, and it

appears made all necessary arrangements for the purpose, including bottles of

‘Sayer’s Three Star’ & etc. but finding that the people of Templeboy were not likely

to give him and his party a friendly reception, his loyalty soon gave way, and so the

project collapsed. Besides the absence of any token whatsoever on the part of the

people denoting the celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee there was hoisted at the

residence of Fr. Cosgrove (28) a flag expressive of popular sentiment regarding her

Majesty’s reign over Ireland during the past fifty years. The flag was green, black,

and red. The green floated triumphantly on top, in which was emblazoned in letters

of gold, “God Save Ireland,” surrounded by an Irish harp, wreathed in shamrocks.

Under this was the black on which was inscribed in large letters “V.R. Coercion

Justice,” and on the red “Famine, Eviction, Manacles, and Exile.” In attractiveness it

quite eclipsed the shabby buntings of the local landlord, High Sheriff Hillas and the

brawling heroes of the “Tar.”

“The Freeman’s Weekly” wound up its own coverage of the Jubilee with the

following editorial on June 25th :

What a contrast between the undeniably genuine fervour of loyalty that manifested

itself last Tuesday in London and the spurious sentiment that found expression

among Dublin ‘loyalists’ in a beggarly display of soiled bunting. A few flags fluttered

from the windows of an Orange hall, of Castle tradesmen, and of British insurance

offices, were all the evidence visible to the eye which could lead a stranger to

suppose that something was afoot. An athletic meeting at Ball’s-bridge attracted the

majority of Government officials who had been allowed a holiday, all the ‘loyalists’

and some of the general public, and the manager of the meeting subsequently

telegraphed to her Majesty their congratulations on behalf of the ‘loyal’ citizens of

Dublin. The fact is that the persons who arrogate to themselves the monopoly of

loyalty have bought the word in such disrepute that no self-respecting and patriotic

Irishman can take any part in the proceedings that in their way would be
objectionable. They who less than twenty years ago were threatening to “kick the

Queen’s crown into the Boyne” (29) are professing loyalty today because they rejoice

in the Jubilee and in the event of Coercion at the same time. Not without the

sanction and the example of some who should know better than to violate the

fundamental theories of the Constitution do they do so. Their idol, Lord Beaconsfield,

did not scruple to represent the Queen as a sympathiser with Toryism and Lord

Beaconsfield’s successor (30) and imitator in the leadership of the Conservatives is not

above utilising the popular feeling of personal respect for the Sovereign to the

advantage of his party. His supporters are habitually guilty of the same outrage upon

her Majesty. On Tuesday, when the heart of England throbbed faster with the

excitement of a great occasion, the ‘Daily Telegraph’ told its readers that the Irish

Question (31) is a question of O’Donovan Rossa against Queen Victoria and ‘The

Times’ wound up a long review of her reign by the following characteristic reference

to Home Rule :

“The chronic insubordination of a large section of the Irish people, the disappearance

of intelligible distinctions of principle corresponding to the distinction of name in

English politics, and the recent admission to the franchise of large numbers of

electors (32) whom with customary want of foresight we had neglected to educate

for their new functions, produced a situation of perilous instability. From it sprang a

desperate attempt, too nearly successful, to drive a wedge into the heart of the vast

and delicate organisation of the British Empire by effecting a disruption of the United

Kingdom itself (33).”

NOTES :

(1) 1887 was the 50th anniversary of Victoria’s coronation. Sligo Borough Council
had been one of only three local authorities to present an address to the

Prince of Wales when he visited Ireland in 1885. The others were Mallow and

Kingstown-Bray.

(2) Died the following September.

(3) Cooper of Markree Castle. One of the biggest landowners in the county.
(4) Wynne’s wife had died a few weeks before this.

(5) Hillas was a notorious evictor on his Seaview, Dromore West, estate. His
Dublin address was at Farmhill, Dundrum. He ran into trouble with the I.N.L.

and the Plan of Campaign and was forced to admit to a court in Dublin that

he was unable to meet his debts due to loss of rent. His death was reported

in “The Champion” of January 14th 1888.

(6) See Section 3.

(7) See Section 3.

(8) A Catholic Loyalist. Also member of the Sligo Harbour Board. Singled out for
adverse attention in “The Sligo Champion,” editorial 18th June.

(9) Died Jan. 1889. “A fantastic windbag,” according to “The Sligo Champion,” of
2nd April. He and his brother James Winterscale Sedley were solicitors and

founders of “The Sligo Chronicle,” a Tory newspaper. The latter as editor

clashed with his opposite number on “The Champion,” Howard Verdon, who

called the brothers Tweedledum and Tweedledee and ‘a brace of puppies with

Cockney accents who changed their name (Sidley) “out of shame.”

(10) James Lougheed, born 1829, retired Army surgeon-major.

(11) L’Estrange was particularly disliked by the Nationalists. He acted as

agent for many landlords including Owen Phibbs of Coradooey to whose

tenants at Keash he refused to grant any rebatement which in turn led to

evictions. As Chairman of Sligo Board of Guardians he had refused put to the

Board a resolution passed by the Sligo Borough branch of the I.N.L. - ‘that

we regard the introduction of the eighty seventh Coercion Act in this century

as the only consistent manner of celebrating the Queen’s jubilee in Ireland ;

that we await with scorn the puny efforts of the atheistical masher, Balfour, to

coerce the national spirit of Ireland and that we consider his present action as

the surest and shortest road to political suicide.” This refusal drew hot fire

from “The Champion” - “The first act of Mr. L’Estrange in the post to which

he had been re-elected was a gross violation of his duties. A Chairman who
 wishes to conduct himself as befits his position, should hold himself neutral as

far as possible. Not so with this rack-renting autocrat of Kevinsfort” ... He also

acted as agent for Percival at Templehouse and sometimes lived at Somerton,

a house on Percival’s estate. He himself owned 1,252 acres in Fermanagh. In

November 1887 he sold a farm on his Derrygonnelly property for half its

value. It had been occupied by a man named Britton who’d had an accident

leaving him unable to work the land.

(12) Recently Percival had succeeded in getting ejectment notices against

some of his tenants at Rinbane. “The Champion” of March 12 th carried the

following : “A correspondent informs us the Judge Lawson, accompanied by his

son and three detectives, visited Templehouse, the residence of Mr. Percival

on Saturday last. While attending divine service on Sunday at the church of

Rathbarron, he was seized with a sudden illness. He was, however, sufficiently

recovered on Monday to leave for Dublin. It is supposed his nervous system

must have received a shock by his learning from his host of the fearful

activity and aggressiveness of the National League in the neighbourhood of

Templehouse.” Percival died in July 1887.

(13) The County Infirmary was built in 1815 and extended in 1856. It was

replaced in 1940 by the new County Hospital and subsequently demolished.

(14) Did the Mayor wish to keep the number of Nationalist supporters

present down to the minimum ?

(15) Reference obscure.

(16) A servant of Queen Victoria. Even during their lifetimes there were

rumours of an improper relationship between the two.

(17) The river on which the town of Sligo stands.

(18) Warren Hastings (1732-1818). Appointed first Governor-General of

India, 1773. Resigned 1784, returned to England, faced corruption and extortion

charges. Impeached by Irishman, Edmund Burke. Acquitted after a ten-year

trial.
(19) It seems a turning-point had been reached in Sligo politics. The

‘Loyalist’ faction had recently lost control of the Council for the first time.

(20) Presumably this address emphasised Government misrule in Ireland.

(21) Some Board members were political appointees. What Nationalists

were on the Board had little stomach for this motion and had turned out in

small numbers.

(22) Armine Styleman Herring, at the time Vicar of St. Paul’s, Clerkenwell,

London. Founder of the Clerkenwell Emigration Society and author of “Letters

from abroad with hints to Emigrants proceeding to the new Dominion of

Canada,” written and published after his return from Canada in 1870. He was

also heavily involved in the S.P.C.K.. A prodigious letter writer, presumably this

one was sent to many Irish newspapers.

(23) In 1881, 1883 and 1885 Fenian bombs had gone off in Britain.

(24) Patrick Casey, Kilkenny-born, cousin of top Fenian, James Stephens, in

exile in Paris since 1870. Provided the forger Piggott with the notorious ‘black

bag.’ According to Michael Davitt he was in the pay of the British secret

service.

(25) Duleep Singh (1838-1893) crowned King of Punjab at the age of 5,

deposed by the East India Co. and exiled to Britain, deliberately Christianised

and anglicised, friend of Victoria, tried to return to Punjab but arrested in

Aden and sent back to England.

(26) Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa (1843-1915) Fenian, arrested 1865 brutally

treated in prison. Exiled America 1870. A militant of militants, sent bombers to

London 1881. Given hero’s funeral in Dublin 1915 where Pearse delivered the

panegyric.

(27) Campbell, “Fenian Fire,” (Harper Collins, 2002) argues that a

dynamite plot did exist. It was prompted by the Prime Minister Salisbury and

the British secret service with the object of implicating and destroying Parnell.

On July 2nd ‘The Champion’ noticed that ‘The Morning Advertiser’ had recently
 published a report of an interview by its Paris correspondent with Patrick

Casey who was said to be a Fenian leader. In the course of the interview

Casey is reported as saying that he would go to the death for liberty in

Ireland ; that he was for securing that liberty through revolution ; that his

principles were those of Mazzini. There were 250,000 men bound by solemn

oaths to commence a revolution. In all probability there would be something

coming off in the way of dynamite “against the symbols of the British

Government.” According to the report Casey maintained that this course has

been forced on the revolutionary party by the total failure of Parliamentary

action.

(28) Parish Priest of Templeboy. An ardent Nationalist and supporter of

the Plan of Campaign. In 1881 he sued, successfully, the Rev. Moore of the

same address who claimed he discriminated against poor Protestant families in

the parish in the matter of relief.

(29) Some Orange Order banners carried slogans threatening to kick the

Queen’s crown into the Boyne (as King James’ had) in protest at the

disestablishment of the Anglican church in 1869.

(30) Robert Cecil, Marquis of Salisbury, twice Prime Minister, 1885-1886

(Feb.) and 1886 (Aug.)-1892. Uncle of Arthur Balfour.

(31) A.N. Wilson in ‘The Victorians,’ (Hutchinson, 2002) writes, “When it is

examined what is the Irish question but another version of the poverty

question ? It was a question of whether a grotesquely few landlords should be

allowed to go on squeezing the very life out of millions of Irish men, women,

and children ; and whether the English parliament should continue to

criminalize those who did not have the money to pay their rent. Under the

gaudy embrace of a Union flag, politicians and public could not disguise the

raw nature of the question, make it one of patriotism and decency versus

dynamiters and superstitious papists. But the glaring and brutal injustice - the

sheer weakness and poverty of the Irish, the wealth and strength of their
 overlords - though it could be dressed up then as the nature of things, or

even as a political virtue, returns to haunt us with its moral ugliness.”

(32) The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 increased the Irish electorate to

738,000 voters. Cf. ‘Section 4, Notes, ‘Padder’ O’Brien and ‘The Wild Flowers

of Tullyhogue.’

(33) ‘The Times,’ aptly called ‘The Old Thunderer.’

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