The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-11-16
Freedom of Speech.

From the Madison CWisconsin) State Journal.
The most disgracefu interference with the right of free
speech and free discussion attempted in this city
occurred Saturday evening meeting of the friends OF
Irish liberty had been advertised at the Court House that
evening to be addressed by Mr. John Pope Hodne of Chi
cago The bills stated that he would deliver address
the subject of Ireland and America AT the appointed hour
the Court House well filed large proportion of the
audience consisting Of Irishmen The meeting called
to order by Mr.. John Reynolds, who introduced the
speaker
Mr. Hodne proceeded to give his views as to the
which the ishmen in America should adopt in order to
promote the of Irish liberty in the mother country
He had been speaking but few minutes and referring
the Fenian movement In this connection he spoke of
Andrew Johnson desot Upon this, prominent Irish
jumped his feet and uttered sort of cry when about
fifty more of his countrymen all rose simultaneously and
for time there noise as if all Bedam had broken
loose They yelled they hooed they poured forth voes
of oas and offensive epthets and threats of violence at
the speaker Then the noisy crowd made rush towards the
door, shouting Come, boys let's go home It's ID Re-
publican meeting" Some of them rushed down the stairs
But the meeting did not follow large number OF Irish
who believed in fair play and free speech remained
Finding their trick did not succeed in breaking up the meet
ing many of the seceders returned, and formed dense
crowd about the door, inside the room, and attempted to
drown the speakers voice by hootng and nteruptng At
this point Sheriff Main nerfered and succeeded temporarily
in restoring order He told the mob that Mr. Hodne had
right speak, and if they did not like to hear him was
their privilege to withdraw but if they remained they must
desist from their attempts break up the meeting otherwise
he should be Obliged arrest those who created disturbance
This Quoted down the disturbing element somewhat for
time but and during the meeting the speaker
interrupted by hootngs and by vuperatve epithets
1t was most shameful and disgraceul spectacle and
afforded conclusive evidence that there is element in the
Democratic party in this city which, if it had the power
would stife free speech
Mr. Hodnett showed genuine pluck. He not in the
least inundated but told the crowd of noisy and hoong
Democrats what he thought of them in terms plain that
there was no danger of his being misunderstood.
In justification of their course of the rioters said
they had been deceived that Mr. Hodnet advertised to
speak on Feniansm and instead, making political
speech There truth in this assertion Mr. Hodne
was advertised to speak the subject of ireland and Amer
lea to the friends of Irish liberty AS far he could with
the continual Interruptions he spoke that subject. He
gave his views of the best method for Irishmen here pro-
mote liberty in Ireland He pointed out how inconsistent it
was for the friends of Irish liberty in this country with
party that had been the champions of slavery here that
had been either in open rebellion, in sympathy with
rebellion and that had plotted with the English Tories
during the recent He showed that while the Demo-
cratic politicians active to get Irish votes they
cold and Indifferent to any movement to the indie
pendence Ireland He quoted letters and documents
showing that the Republicans had been generous giving
to aid the cause and had proved themselves the true
friends of Irish nationality He also asserted that the Dem
ocratc leaders were the interest OF English manufacturers
and that what they called free trade for the purpose of
breaking down American manufactures in order to make
profitable market for British goods Let the Democracy get
in power and put their eetrade notions in practice and
the Irish aborer instead of getting $3.50 now would find
his wages reduced fifty cents day. and all this would be
done to benefit English manufacturers -
If there were any present who did not wish to hear
Mr. Hodne speak, they should have quietly left the
But this not the occasion of the outbreak The forty
fifty Democrats who tried to break up the meeting were not
willing that others who wished to hear Mr. Hodne should
have that privilege AS if conscious that the of the
Democratic party the subject of Irish nationality would
not bear discussion they sought to ampe the right OF tree
speech under foot in this city 1t was coWardy attempt
Men who feel they right are not afraid OF discus
sion and criticism These who created the disturbance
must feel ashamed their conduct That they were