But, of course, Dr. O'Dwyer drew upon himself a tremendous
fire. Virtually, the Sunday meetings held on the subject of the Papal Rescript were meetings held for furious invective against Dr. O'Dwyer. Mr. O'Brien at Limerick was beside himself with rage. He called Dr. O'Dwyer's letter calumnious, and declared it to be "as false as ever stained the lips of a man in Dr. O'Dwyer's position." Moreover, Mr. O'Brien was so determined to show his contempt for the Papal Rescript, that he declared, "as far as the 'Plan of Campaign' is con- cerned, and as far as the principle of boycotting is concerned, as it is generally and temperately exercised, I glory in the 'Plan of Campaign' and in boycotting. They are the bloodless weapons. They are irresistible weapons." Yes, and so are poisoned wells both bloodless and irresistible, and poisoned wells are physically what boycotting is morally. Mr. Dillon at Kildare used language nearly as violent as Mr. O'Brien at Limerick, and Mr. Deasy, M.P., followed suit at Cork. But the Irish priest- hood kept away, and the Bishop of Cork, Dr. O'Callaghan, warned his people against listening to attacks on the Pope.
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