I want to see you now, so much that if you cannot find it convenient to come at once, it will not be at all necessary (so far as I am concerned) that you should come at any future time.17
FROM SIR MATTHEW RIDLEY, HOME SECRETARY
Whitehall, 3 August 1896:
With reference to your request to make another visit to Daly and others prisoners at Portland, I feel obliged to say that being advised that these visits have a prejudicial effect on the health of the prisoners by bringing about elation and subsequent depression of spirits, which has had a very serious effect upon some of them and especially Daly, I do not feel able to grant your request.
I have however given most anxious consideration to a report which I have within the last day or two received from the medical gentlemen whom, in consequence of representations made to me, I at once sent down … and have come to the conclusion that the state of health of … Daly, Devany, Whitehead and Gallagher justifies my advising their release on licence on that ground …18
***
John Daly was released from Portland prison on 20 August 1896. ‘Wilson’ (Thomas Clarke) was released in September 1898.
FROM [DMP ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER] JOHN MALLON
27 October 1898:
It would be wholly inconsistent for me to make any representations to the Lord Lieut. or the Chief Secretary in regard to Wilson. If he writes himself to the Chief Secy half a dozen words pointing out the great inconvenience of reporting personally, his letter would be referred to the Chief Commissioner … My own opinion always was that reporting was never intended for men of Wilson’s class but for thieves or such like ...19
CHAPTER 5
Reunification and Leadership, 1900–1902
THE LEAGUE AND THE PARTY
In early 1898 in Mayo, William O’Brien founded the United Irish League (UIL) with the dual purpose of reviving agitation for land redistribution in the congested West and of fostering a reunion of nationalists at grass-roots level that would bypass existing factional memberships. This initiative received support from Dillon and Davitt. Throughout 1899, the sentiment of these three men was hostile to the rapprochement between Redmond and Healy, mediated by Harrington, which they viewed as an attempt to rescue failed political careers. Against the expectations of O’Brien and his allies, the formal reunion of the Party took place on 30 January. In the vote for chairman on 6 February, Redmond’s election came when O’Brien, at Davitt’s urging, switched his support from Harrington, the only other candidate, based on his supposed alliance with Healy against the League. Dillon became deputy leader. From the moment of his election, Redmond was anxious to show his acceptance of the UIL as the future national organisation of the reunified Party. The contentious question of the exact relationship between the Party and the League remained to be decided at the summer Convention.
T.C. HARRINGTON MP CIRCULAR TO ALL NATIONALIST MPS
18 January 1900:
The Conference which assembled last evening in the Mansion House here to consider the steps which might be taken towards re-uniting the different sections of the Nationalist Party in Parliament was both harmonious and successful. I enclose a copy of the resolutions which were unanimously adopted and which … were founded upon the acceptance of the Resolutions adopted at the large conference held on 4 April [1899].
You will observe that the third Resolution authorizes me as Chairman to invite the Irish Nationalist members of all sections to a meeting at the opening of Parliament to take counsel together and make any other arrangements that may be necessary for the re-construction of a United Party on the old lines … I am full of hope that we are bringing the unhappy chapter to a close.1
WILLIAM O’BRIEN TO J.F.X. O’BRIEN MP
28 January 1900:
Confidential.
I am astonished to hear that some of our friends are thinking of giving some importance to Tuesday’s meeting by attending it. It passes my comprehension how any self-respecting Nationalist can believe any good can come of any bargain with those men …
If they are simply left to themselves, Healy will extinguish Redmond and R. will extinguish H., and the country will quite easily succeed in forming a new Party genuinely united …2
TO T.P. GILL
7 Belvidere Place, 6 February 1900:
… My unanimous election astonished me and especially when I heard William O’Brien had wired strongly to all his henchmen to support me! 3
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN
House of Commons, 11 March 1900:
My letter did not go to the full length you desired but as an unmistakeable expression of friendliness to the League I hope it will be satisfactory to your friends …4
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN
Irish Daily Independent Office, Trinity St., 19 April 1900:
… I return the Canon’s letter. I am not at all surprised at the tone and substance of the letter. It would be absurd to suppose that the priests can accept me without some heartburning. Every day that passes makes me more certain that for all our sakes a Convention is essential. No one will dare to attempt … to create dissension at it and after it has been held it will be impossible I believe to revive disunion …5
***
The first National Convention of the UIL was held on 19–20 June 1900; Redmond was elected its Chairman. All efforts now turned to the work of making the League a nationwide organisation. Meanwhile, the chief obstacle to the binding up of the wounds of the Split was the persisting mutual antipathy between O’Brien and Healy, the former insisting on a declaration of allegiance to the League, the latter accusing O’Brien of trying to degrade the Party and using the League to dictate to elected MPs.
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN
8 Leeson Park, 25 June 1900:
… I am strongly of opinion no time should be lost in organizing a number of big meetings … I would like to speak in Cork, Limerick and a number of other places and I think I might as well also go to Cahir with Dillon …
From all I hear the announcement of Harrington’s appointment will do great good especially amongst a class of the Parnellites who up to now have more or less held aloof …6
***
The General Election was held in early October 1900. The Conservatives, in Government since 1895, were returned to power. In Ireland, the 82 Party members returned included 49 members of the old factions; O’Brien’s envisaged wholesale purge did not materialise.
TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN, MP CORK CITY
8 Leeson Park, 15 October 1900:
I am reluctant to trouble you when, as I hope, you are enjoying a few days rest after your terrible work of the past couple of weeks, but the matter I want your advice upon is urgent.
I believe, taking the [general] elections as a whole and considering how much had to be left to chance and to a rough and tumble struggle, the result must be considered
