Dillon versus Parnell

Abstract The clash between Parnell and his ambitious young lieutenant came into the open and could not be concealed, even though both were interned together from autumn 1881 to the spring of 1882. In April 1881 the Liberal government launched a substantial land reform which Parnell privately—though not publicly—acknowledged to be enough to quell the land agitation. Parnell negotiated a compromise with the Liberal government; Dillon, in frustration, retired to Nebraska to live with his brother. Dillon was convinced that Liberal reform could reduce the strength of Irish nationalism. In this he shared the basic assumption of British Liberalism. Parnell, on the other hand, never seems to have shared this assumption, though he was determined to avoid any adventures which might land him in a jail again. He was happy to stay with Mrs O’Shea in Eltham and rarely visited Ireland.