John Redmond remarked in 1906 that "few careers in the last century had been so rapid as that of Joseph Devlin. There was no party in the House of Commons which boasted a man who was his superior."
This rapid rise to such heights was from humble, even unpromising beginnings, for Devlin was born - on February 13th, 1871 - the son of a car driver and his wife from Hamill Street in Belfast. At the age of 11 he left the Christian Brothers' School in Divis Street for work variously described as that of "potboy in a pub", "grocer's assistant" or "barman", until he was about 21.
In his mid-teens he became interested in politics and helped to found the Belfast Debating Society, where politics generally were discussed. Thomas Sexton, a speaker at the society in 1886, was surprised to discover that the chairman, Joseph Devlin, was a mere youth of 16. Sexton's victory for the Irish Party in West Belfast in 1886 (then thought to be a Unionist stronghold) has been attributed largely to the young Devlin, whose oratory and organising ability even then were considerable.
The Irish News
Devlin became associated as a journalist with the northern nationalist newspaper, the Irish News. He also he began to be wholeheartedly identified with the Irish Party, loyally supporting the leadership of Parnell. After the "O'Shea affair", the split in the party, and the eclipse and demise of Parnell, Devlin was found in a reunited party enjoying the confidence of John Redmond, the leader, and making the first of perhaps four trips to America for the cause. Irish Americans were quick to recognise his great gifts and he endeared himself to them.
At the general election of 1902, Devlin was returned unopposed for North Kilkenny. From the time of his entry, this "pocket Demosthenes" as he was rated by T.M. Healy (no mean orator himself) earned the admiration of the House of Commons for his oratory, his logic, his power in debate, his wit, and only occasionally his invective. All emanated from a tiny, boyish figure (he was justly called "wee Joe").
Through his service to the United Irish League, the creation of William O'Brien, Devlin made a great contribution to the national cause, first in Britain and later in Dublin, as General Secretary until 1921. His insight and administrative powers were again displayed in his relationships with the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is credited with reviving a then moribund institution, inspiring it during his lifetime, and enabling it to become what it is in measure today - namely a counter, not without a trace of sectarianism, to the larger Orange Order.
Devlin was again returned to the House in 1906 for West Belfast - his "native heath", so to speak - with a slender majority of 16 after hard-fought hustings. Perhaps his most conspicuous work in the next decade was his contribution to the cause of Home Rule for Ireland. As one of a triumvirate - Redmond and Dillon being the others - his leadership, wisdom and tenacity of purpose were to bring the nation within "sight of the promised land" with the third Home Rule Bill of 1914.
Sinn Fein
Devlin's part in the formation of the National Volunteers, in response to the Ulster Covenant and the formation of the Ulster Volunteers, was great. He saw the Volunteers as part of an Irish National Army which had come into being to help the Irish Party gain Home Rule and maintain it once it was won. Try as he might, however, he was unable to prevent them coming under the influence of Sinn Fein.
In the conscription controversy, despite his own misgivings and charges of being a British Army recruiting sergeant, Devlin persisted in the party line. Not without some enthusiasm, it is said, he encouraged the Catholic men of Ulster to join the British forces, and their gallantry in the first World War was a byword.
His career after the virtual destruction of the Irish Party in the 1918 election has been considered, perhaps unjustly, as anticlimax. There is no doubt, however, that until he lost his seat for West Belfast in 1922, he was an untiring advocate of the rights and the needs of the Irish people in the British House. He was later returned to Westminster as the member for Tyrone and Fermanagh.
Devlin's compassionate interest in the plight of Belfast workers was striking. Through his tenacious advocacy, notable improvements were made in the working conditions of women in the linen mills. He strongly supported national insurance and in particular the progressive Act of 1911. As a constituency man none surpassed him.
When the Northern parliament was set up, Devlin and his colleagues abstained while they surveyed the prospects of a genuine Boundary Commission, in helplessness and desperation. Eventually, with reluctance, appreciating that the Catholic and nationalist people had no spokesmen in Stormont as long as he abstained, Devlin took his seat and was joined by others, leading a small party which could never be a truly effective opposition or form a government. But until his death he advocated the cause of the nationalist people in ways which were to earn him the admiration of all.
Craigavon
"Wee Joe" remained a lifelong bachelor, but his love of children gave rise to summer outings arranged annually, mainly for the underprivileged. When he died on January 18th 1934, Craigavon expressed admiration for his personal character; described him as a man whose word was his bond; and offered sympathy to the "large body of public opinion whom he represented and fought so vigourously for during his lifetime". Some 5,000 people gathered at St Peter's Pro-Cathedral, Belfast, for his funeral 20th to Milltown Cemetery. It was described as "the most remarkable demonstration of public sympathy seen in Belfast for a generation".
We cannot do less than salute the man, and acknowledge his legacy of a great parliamentary tradition. And we may be allowed to wonder what might have happened if his integrity had met something other than the "not an inch" mentality" of Northern prime ministers and Governments, which prevailed until the advent of Terence O'Neill.