Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-13

large and enthusiastic mass meeting Of the
Hall, under the auspices of the Home Rule
League, OF this District, to express sympathy
with the home rule movement in Ireland. The
large room was well filed, and among the audi
ence were many ladies. The Off GERS or the
league, with invited guests and speakers, occu-
pied the platform, around the sides of which
were decorations of Irish and American Il sgs.
ON The rear wall Of the stage and in plain view
from the auditorium was a large and fine en-
craving of the old Irish Parliament in College
Green, Dublin, and on the sides were portraits
of Smith O'Brien and Daniel O'Connell.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER
by Capt Daniel Mcmahon. president of the
league, who stated the objects, and expressed
Ireland's friends At the conclusion of his re-
marks he nominated officers, as follows: +.
McNerhspy, president; James Bellew, D. A.
Brosnan and j. l. Dease, vice president; Major
VIM. MscWillsms, secretary. These nomins-
tons were unanimously confirmed by the meet
LETTERS PROM GOVERNOR SHEPHERD AND
HON. A. n. STEPHENS.
MIR. Mc\erhany came forward amid great ap-
pIsuse. He read a letter from DIR. Tindall,
Secretary TO Governor Shepherd, saying: "The
Governor directs me to reply to your invitation
to the meeting to be held on Thursday evening
for the expression of sympathy with the move
ment in favor OF home rule in Ireland, that he is
heartily in favor OF the efforts of that people to
secure their rights, and much regrets that a pre-
vlous engagement for that evening will prevent
his attendance"
The chair also read a letter from Hon. A. H.
stephens regretting that severe bodily inds-
position rendered 1t out of his power to be with
tnem, out be assured no one sympathizes more
profoundly than do with the wrengs of the
oppressed people of Ireland, and no one lives
who holds the principles of "HOme Rule" or
local self government in higher or more sacred
regard than do"
THE SPEECHES.
Mr. McNeThany then addressed the meeting
at considerable length, saying that having been
hOnored by call TO the position of presiding
officer IL was expected that he would saw some
thing of the aims of the home rule movement
Home rule for Ireland means simply the right
OF the Irish TO manage their own domestic at
fairs in their own way, and while recognizing
the authority Of the British Crown, yet in mat
tiers Of local concern the right that Ireland have
her own Parliament similar to that which a
state legislature in the United States holds to
the Congress and the Executive OF this country.
This Is both just and natural, and although it
did not comprehend as much as the most enthu-
siastic friends OF Ireland could wish, yet ii was
all that the Irish people now ask for. The
friends of Ireland in this country favor this
movement because it is an advance step in the
direction to Irish freedom. The speaker re-
cited the wrongs which had been inflicted upon
ireland during the last seven hundred years
ana at the conclusion of his remarks, which
duced
Hon. Charles Albright. of PENNSYLVANIA.
who spoke briefly, saying that he was no Irish
man, but MS heart beat in unison with Irishmen
who had defended the outraged nationality OF
America during the recent struggle in this
country.
The chair then introduced Hon. w. j
OBrien, OF Baltimore, who after brief re-
marks, was succeeded by Hon. g. ID. McDougall.
OF New York, who said he had come not as an
lrlshman but as a ScOtchman; but be was in
the fullest sympathy with the friends of Ire
land, and wishes them Godspeed i'll their efforts
for home rule.
Hon. VIM. j. Hines, of Arkansas, was next
introduced and made an eloquent address on
the situation OF Irish affairs during which he
was frequently applauded. The elections close
In Ireland next Saturday, and he hoped the
moral influence of the mass meeting held
at the capital of the United States would
reach the struggling patriOCs there and have its
public opinion by agitation of Ireiand's wrongs
until majority be rolled up in that country in
favor of home rule.
Prof. j. NJ. Langston was next introduced
ana made stirring speech, and during its de-
livery he was frequently obliged to suspend for
the applause VIII ich greeted him.
Major William MacWilliams, one OF the lead
ing spirits of the Home Rule League in this city,
was the next speaker, and in his remarks de-
do with religious questions; both Catholic and
Protestant Ireland are equally interested in this
movement, which Is destined to eliminate in
freedom Tor ireland, 50 far as the management
OF her Own internal interests are concerned.
The Irish everywhere are a unit On the question
at issue.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Macwillams' speech
a letter was read from General James Shields
IN Whleh encouragement Is given in the work
entered upon.
The chair announced that an address had
been prepared TO the American people, but the
lateness of the hour precluded its reading
The meeting then adjourned.