The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-07-14
Ratification Meeting,

The Irish Ratification Meeting held at
Turner Hall last Thursday evening was un
fortunate in being held on one Of the hottest
nights of the week. The hall had been aired
very hot out OF doors, and crowd was out
Of the question. The attendance, therefore,
did not more than half fill the hall
Yet those who attended were splendidly
entertained. True, Hon. Alex. Sullivan was
Unexpectedly detained in Chicago with bust.
ness SO that he missed the train and did not
come here. There was, however, no lack Of
enthusiasm or good speeches.
Mr. w. j. Dryer, of the Ottawa Branch,
gcted as chairman. He first introduced Mr.
NJ. T. Maloney, delegate from this branch to
the great Philadelphia convention, who cx
planned the object Of the meeting to be to
rGtifv the platform promulgated by that con-
venton, similar 10 the Irish platform as
stated by Charles Stewart Parnell, which
lags before the American people statement
Of Irish wrongs and the methods Americans
propose to adopt TO assist Ireland The COOS
OF that convention has exceeded all expecta.
ton in opening the eyes Of Americans to the
condition OF the Irish people. II it Las only
this effect: Of drawing attention to the
methods England employs to pauperize the
Irish and then ship them TO America and the
necessity OF Americas crying out stop H." II
will have done all that could be expected.
Governments are founded on civilization.
And now no nation can Systematically perse
cute q people without expecting the rest Of
the world to cali halt.
Mr.. 81. V. G4i,i,Gn, 81 Davenport, Ia, was
next Introduce. ii is pity We cannot re.
produce Mr.. Gannon's speech. IL would be
most interesting reading, but our space will
not permit TINS. He said men will say you
have LEFT Ireland and come here, why don't
you let Ireland 90: Why be forever dinging
her sad story IN our ears?" Because we want
to carry the liberty We enjoy here over there
to those people who do not enjoy them. We
want TO protest now against the tyranny Of
England-say 10 her "Let 90 Of Ireland md
give her . chance" He denied that this
movement is a Catholic movement. 1t is All
Irish movement-of Protestants and CathO-
lies. A large number Of IRISH patriots and
martyrs are aud have been Professionals. Par
nell himself is a Protestant. he then pro-
ceeded 10 show some OF the ways in which
the Irish have been wronged; the long sui.
fering and the patience Of the lrlshman; and
now II the English can applaud when DIS.
rneli says, Thank God for the Irish "a
mine," because 1t will the sooner make Ire.
land an English pasture, why cannot we
demand satisfaction for that famine+ The
work OF Parnell in Parliament was also
slightly touched up, and the great good he
has done the Irish people. What the Ameri.
can movement proposes is To make the
American people feel the condition OF Ire.
land; by showing the world what Ireland has
done for herself In the past, and cultivate
such feeling for Ireland in this country
that the American people will call halt TO
English oppression: say 10 England you shall
not pauperize lrishmen and then send them
10 US 10 care for:-You must let them work
out their own destiny. The speech was an
effective one. very frequently interrupted by
applause. II was most enthusiastically re.
ceiyed, and the speaker sat down In a great
burst Of applause.
Following him were short and effective
speeches by Rev. g. :. Young, Judge stipp,
senator Duncan. Father Donovan and Rev
VI. c. Peters. sll OF whom expressed their
sympathy with ireland and eulogized the
Justice OF her cause. Notwithstanding &
storm the audience uss held
nearly intact to the last.