Harris pledged 'not to deviate a hairs breath away from principle', i.e. achieving peasant proprietorship for tenants and the total abolition of landlords and promised to quit the Parliamentary Party if he believed that they were not progressing in the direction that had to be followed.

He reminded the people that they needed to work together for the independence of Ireland, and asked them to:'keep a strong and determined animus against England in your hearts and do not mind the English for they are your enemies.

[5]Along with other Land League leaders, he was indicted in 1887 under the Coercion Act for conspiracy in relation to his involvement in the Plan of Campaign.

During the Parnell Commission of 1888, Sir Henry James cross-examined Harris, as treasurer of the Land League, as to whether anything had been paid to the Clan na Gael.

[citation needed] William O'Brien recalls an incident in 1881, when the leaders of the Land League decided to meet in Paris to avoid arrest in the United Kingdom:While we were waiting for Parnell, Mat Harris afforded comic relief.

"[8]Timothy Michael Healy described how Harris was an inspiration for younger Irish nationalists:Mat was a power in Connaught, and possessed a flow of humour.

"Matthew Harris died from stomach cancer on 13 April 1890, aged 63 or 64, and is buried at Creagh cemetery, Ballinasloe.

[9][10] The inscription on the Matthew Harris monument reads:[11] This monument was erected in memory ofMatthew Harris ESQ M.P.By his fellow countrymen as a tribute to his loftyPatriotism his spotless integrity his unselfish devotion Of great powers to great public ends his lifelong services toThe cause of Irish Nationality his sympathy with theOppressed of every race and creed like the great apostlePreaching Christ he knew only humanity and humanity crucifiedBORN 1826 ELECTED MP FOR EAST GALWAY 1885 DIED APRIL 13th 1890