The smutty and libellous doggerel quoted below, and widely published at the time, demonstrates the extent to which the ‘establishment’ would go in 1832 to blacken the emerging Catholic political class.
As a rough guide, the North end of Newry had fallen to the Hills of Hillsborough, who when elevated to the peerage became Downshires (Downshire Road etc) : the South and South Down to the Needhams who became Kilmorey. Newry had two seats in the Imperial Government (the House of Commons). The landlords sat in the Lords. They named agents who took the seats for them in the lower house, Knox being the man in this case.
The naming of individuals in libellous comment demonstrates the contempt in which these agents held their opposition, and the confidence they could have that their libels would go unpunished.
Unfortunately for them, the monied ‘young Mr Brady’ came back a few short years later and took the seat for the Catholics of Newry [1835].
….
Electors of Newry I pray you give ear
A story I’ll tell you that you quickly shall hear
About Kelly the Bishop and Keenan the Friar
Who splutter and spout about smutty Maguire
Down, down, darry down.
If a poor Ballyholland man for Knox goes to poll
Without shame or remorse they to hell send his soul
To see these vile Jesuits how they bluster and bully
If they spy a poor Papist going to join Knox’s tally
Down, down, darry down.
But I tell Mr Priests they may give up their views
Go say Aves and Paters and gather your dues
For in the Borough of Newry they never will see
A Papist sit down with his name as MP
Down, down, darry down.
As for those turncoats who have taken their part
Before many months they’ll be bitterly smart
The bribes they have got will quickly be spent
In sackcloth and ashes they’ll sorely repent
Down, down, darry down.
In a bottle of smoke their hopes will soon end
If you view but the men on whom they depend
There’s Godfrey the broker and gutty Jem Spence
The one wants good manners, the other wants sense
Down, down, darry down.
There’s little Jack Trainer and long Jacky Reid
The one sells bad whiskey, the other bad seed:
With brisk Charley Jennings who’s fond of a spunk
But, God help the poor man, he’s apt to get drunk
Down, down, darry down.
There’s white-headed Pat, that cagey old boy
Who, with a besom-man’s wife once did lovingly toy
With yellow Joe Mitchell and bandy-legged John
Who waddle like ducks, up and down through the throng
Down, down, darry down.
There’s dimple-faced Byrne with young Mr Brady
Who for his friend Dennis has got the cash ready
With music galore of brawlers and railers
A full batch of swabs and hogwash retailers
Down, down, darry down.
If these are the men who a member would make
Alas the poor idiots will find their mistake
For Kilmorey’s our landlord and Knox is our man
Our Member he’ll be – prevent it who can!
Down, down, darry down.
Then from these vile set let us quickly depart
Take hand in hand and join the good part
Huzza for brave Knox, he’s honest and true
He’ll serve his country and his friends will serve you.
Down, down, darry down.