The New York herald., 1873-12-10
IR Ell A N D.
The Great National Home
Rule Conference.
Mr.. Butt Defines His Po-
SitiOn.
THE ESOLU TION

been the great and almost the only event OF the
week, It's reports have filled the papers. Discus
sions as to It's aims and probable consequences
have filed mems minds. 1t began its sittings on
Tuesday. Ii continued it's deliberations until FRI
day; and, from first to last, it was busy, orderly
and not without animation, though such excite
ment as there was was subdued. have already
noticed the preparations for this notable meeting.
They were extensive, and have occupied the atten-
ton OF the Home Rule Association for months past
The arrangements proved to be very complete, and
they were carried out with satisfactory smooth
ness. The requisiton for the conference was
signed by upwards OF $4,000 names. portion OF
these have been published, and writers In the
English papers have been giving analyses oi them
to show that the requisitonisfs, while compara-
lively few in number, were, lor the most part, In
significant people.
COMPOSITION OF THE CONFERENCE.
There were few, If any, gentry, 1t was said; bar
risters, OF whom there are computed to be thou
sand In Ireland, and who don't, as rule, object to
join any movement which might nelp their promo
ton, were conspicuous by their absence, or, at
least, by the scarcity of their signatures. There
were many Roman Catholic clergymen, but lew
Protestants, lay or clerical; and the commercial
class was but poorly represented-all this has
been said, and at more than one meeting OF the
conference these remarks were noticed and con-
troverted 1t was protested that the requisition
had not been hawked about; thousands OF sigma
lures might have been secured had they been
asked. But the promoters OF the conference had
been careful to request the signatures generally OF
representative people, and the result was very
fairly representative list OF names. We have
already seen how LORD Portarhngton refused to
sign the requisition or take any part in the home
rule movement how Mr..
JONATHAN SIM
also refused to support home rule while admitting
tnat grave grounds existed for complaint OF egis-
lative neglect; but Lord French only day or
two before the meeting OF conference not only
gave his signature, but cordially acquiesced IN the
movement. He was, however, from i'll health, un-
able to take part in the conference deliberations.
The conference meetings were held in the spen-
did round room OF the rotunda-a really magnif-
cent hall, well adapted Tor such
A LARGE DELIBERATIvE GATHERING.
Great care had been bestowed in properly fitting
up tile place and in securing all the possible avail
able room for those attending. The arrangements,
am assured, were similar to those for the yolun-
teers Conference in 1888. The platform or stage
had been removed, thus affording accommodation
for great many additional sittngs. low dais
was set in the centre of where the stage had been
and on it was placed the Presidents chair beauti-
fully embroidered. In front was the table Tor the
conference ofncials; near by were tables for the
reporters OF the press, who were very numerous.
Ranging still further in front OF the Presidents
chair were the seats reserved for members Of Par
lament and other leaders OF the Conference, while
behind these were the spaces reserved for the
delegates representatives from the various dis
tricts Of Ireland In the gallery were seated many
ladies. The scene altogether was remarkable
one-striking and imposing In many respects
Rhe hour for commencing proceedings was eleven
O'Clock, but 1t was almost twelve before the
business really began. The large hall was
then well filed. There was the utmost order and
the proceedings were listened to throughout with
the deepest attention. 1t would be futile for me
to attempt any enumeration OF names. but j may
mention that about 20 members OF Parliament
took part in the deliberations. There we're large
numbers Of Catholic clergymen in the assembly
and very good representation OF the respectable
looking farmer class. Only the North was con-
spicuous by the paucity OF its representation. AS
tar as coujd ascertain only two men Of promi-
nence came from that quarter-both from Belfast
one Presbyterian clergyman, the Rev. Isaac Mel
con, and the other Mr.. Joseph G. Biggar.
While, SO to speak the large audience is wait
ing for the proceedings to begin, may explain
more explicitly than I have yet done the exact
purpose and aim OF the Conference. 1t is, in the
first place, to declare that i, would be good for
ireland and conducive to the peace and
STABILITY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
that the right OF domestic legislation on all Irish
affairs should be restored to this country For the
attainment OF this object 1t is, in the second place.
declared desirable that Irisnmen should unite to
obtain that restoration upon the following princl-
ples I give them as set forth in the requis-
tom
To obtain for country the right and privilege Of
managing our own affairs, by Parliament assembled
the Eoa and 81 Of to @
PaFaHent under federal arrapsemsnt the right Of
the, Internal affairs Of Ireland and control over
obsaon of conbu,ns ouf
Pa az
lions affecting the imperial Crown and g9yernment
81 the Sre~n rssiSns Of the uSsd E@ppre Espi
defence and the Stability az Of the Empire At arge % @ 10
obtain such an adusiment Of the relations between the
ives Of the Crown any disturbance of the principles OF
Such are the objects OF the Conference. But
there is now comparative silence In the large hail.
The leaders OF the movement-conspicuous among
whom is Mr. Isaac Butt, 'tne father OF home rule
and whose appearance was welcomed by general
cheer-are grouped round the still vacant presi-
dental chair, and an air OF coming business settles
down over the large audience. They have not now
long to wait. At few minutes before twelve Mr..
George Bryan, NJ. p, proposed seconded by Mr..
Charles French, that Mr.. william Shaw, NJ. p. for
Bandon, take the chair. The motion was unani-
mously passed, the secretaries were appointed,
and, other formal matters being arranged, the
President made
BRIEF OPENING SPEECH.
He confined himself to indicating generally the
objects OF the conference, to showing tnat the
homo rule movement had not been failure. that
it was, on the contrary an earnest and thoroughly
national movement and that this conference had
been held with view to formulate the objects of
the agitation and to place the movement in the
hands Of the Irish people. 1t was no local sgita-
tion. There were many who might not take part
in IT, There were men who never
would take part In constitutional move.
ments There were timid men-men oi
property and means-who never took prominent
part In any political movement. But