happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)

Subject: happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)
From: Abby Sale
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:53 AM


The Archbishop of Philadelphia's excommunicates coal miner-activists, the Molly Maguires –
(published in the New York Times - 12/23/1875)

          Make way for the Molly Maguires,
          They're drinkers, they're liars, but they're man.
          Make way for the Molly Maguires,
          You'll never see the likes of them again.
  
                  "Molly Maguires" by Phil Coulter, 
                  sung by Luke Kelly on The Collection, Homespun CD. 

Note: The Molly Maguires, a secret organization of coal miners, supposedly was responsible for terrorism in the anthracite coalfields of Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the period from 1862 to 1876. The group named itself after a widow who led a group of Irish anti-landlord agitators in the 1840s. When poor working conditions and employment discrimination led to acts of sabotage and terrorist assassinations by Irish-American workers in Pennsylvania 20 years later, the "Mollies" were blamed. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, a local Irish fraternal association, was thought to be a front for the terrorists, and 10 of them were tried and hanged for murder. This lead to a decline of violence in the coalfields, proving that execution is an excellent method to reduce crime.   [Source: Ency. Brit.]

Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved
What are Happy's all about? See Clicky

Subject: RE: happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)
From: Dani
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:01 AM

"...proving that execution is an excellent method to reduce crime"

...tell me it doesn't really say that, Abby.

Dani

Subject: RE: happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:04 AM

See also Molly Maguires: Songs about?

Subject: RE: happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)
From: Paul Burke
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 10:25 AM

No, it didn't lead to a decline in violence. Just gave the bosses the monopoly of violence.

Subject: RE: happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)
From: Abby Sale
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 05:32 PM

:-) No, you're right, of course. Sometimes I just wonder if anyone is reading this stuff. It actually says something vey different:

The Ancient Order of Hibernians, a local Irish fraternal association, was thought to be a front for the terrorists, and mine owners hired James McParlan, a detective, to infiltrate the group. In a series of sensational trials in 1875–77, McParlan's testimony resulted in the conviction and hanging of 10 men for murder. The court convictions, adverse publicity, and more prosperous times effected a subsequent decline of violence in the coalfields.

This bolsters (not proves) the argument that most local, national and international conflicts are about nothing else than money or other form of wealth. In "prosperous times" rebels have a very small audience or following.

Subject: RE: happy? – Dec 23 (Molly Maguires)
From: Dani
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:34 PM

Phew. You had me there for a minute, Abby. Good one!

*I* read these!

Dani