When he uttered the word "arrest" he was stopped by the audience rising en masse and cheering frantically. "Parnell's arrest"--I quote from the "Life of Forster"--"was hailed almost as though it had been the news of a signal victory gained by England over a hated and formidable enemy."
Sexton, O'Kelly, Dillon, O'Brien, and J. P. Quinn, secretary of the League, were quickly arrested, while warrants were issued for Biggar, Healy, and Arthur O'Connor. Healy was in England, and Biggar and O'Connor managed to join him there.
[1] Parnell in this speech vigorously attacked Gladstone's policy, calling him a "masquerading knight-errant" and a champion of the liberties of every nation except Ireland. He pointed out that Gladstone had a good word for the late Isaac Butt, and added scornfully that "in the opinion of an English statesman no man was good in Ireland until he was buried." By implication he challenged the Government to arrest him under the Coercion Act.
[2] "The Life of Parnell," by Barry O'Brien.
[4] He was to have addressed a meeting at Naas.
"_Love is not a flower that grows on the dull earth; Springs by the calendar; must wait for the sun. * * * * * * * E'en while you look the peerless flower is up Consummate in the birth._"--J. S. KNOWLES.
At the news of the arrest a wave of indignation swept through Ireland. In Dublin there were riots. In many places shops were closed and towns and villages went into mourning as if for the death of a king.
Five days later the Land League countered the arrest by issuing the No Rent manifesto.
Parnell was really opposed to it. Dillon openly so, but the majority of the leaders then in Kilmainham Gaol approved of it, and it was signed and published in _United Ireland_ on October 17th. The signature is interesting, it runs thus:--
"Charles S. Parnell, President, Kilmainham Gaol; A. J. Kettle, Honorary Secretary, Kilmainham Gaol; Michael Davitt, Honorary Secretary, Portland Prison; Thomas Brennan, Honorary Secretary, Kilmainham Gaol; Thomas Geston, Head Organizer, Kilmainham Gaol; Patrick Egan, Treasurer, Paris."
Meanwhile arrests and evictions went on all over Ireland, and the Coercion Act was used mercilessly and unscrupulously on behalf of the landlords. The Ladies' Land League and its president, Miss Anna Parnell, became very busy.