St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-05-12
IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE.

Closing Days Proceedings OF the Irish
National League in Session at Phfla-
delphia-A Formal Organization Effect
ed, and Platform Adopted-Alexander
Sullivan, of Chicago, Presidential Vio-
lent Denunciation Of England's Alleged
Misrule In Ireland.
PHILADELPHIA, April ~.
At the morning session, the Secretary
nead, by unanimous consent; a COM
munication from Hon. S. S. Cox,
of New York, congratulating the Con-
vention on what it had done, and declaring
that it was impossible for Ireland to remain
under British government, on account OF
commercial restrictions OF, the latter. Ihere
were 6s,242 able-bodied men engaged in
keeping the peace" while there were but
81, 900 engaged in teaching. The uncer-
tainty of land tenure and OF political status,
and standing army of spies, 60 to render
ireland the worst governed country LII the
world. Agitation for liberty will 60 on.
The questions of extradition, citizens rights,
ETC., If considered by the Convention, must
be viewed in the light Of the lessons OF re-
cent events.
Edward O'Meagher Condor then moved
that the thanks of this Convention be ten
dered to Mr.. Cox. Carried.
On Mrs. Parnelps entrance she was heart
lily cheered.
Father Boylan, Of County Cavan, Ireland,
then addressed the Convention amid mucn
applause He said that John Bull would
now be put on one horn Of the Irish dilem-
ma, and the landlord on the other, while
Pat would milk the cow. He cOmplimented
the spirit in which the American press
treated the Irish question. America had
given Irishmen employment, but lrishmen
had done Americas hardest work on tie
fields of both peace and war.
The entire Convention rose to its feet and
cheered Father Boylan unanimously.
Father Agnew, formerly of Scotland, now
delegate Of the United Manhattan League,
then addressed the Convention. He said
the Irish in England and Scotland would
have been the first to feel the effects OF any
incorporate action on the part of this Con-
vention, and he was glad to congratulate the
delegates that their action had so far been
wise and moderate.
It was moved and carried that a vote of
thanks be rendered Rev. Fathers Boylan and
Agnew.
At twenty minutes to twelve recess was
taken for two hours, to await the reports OF
the c6emittees.
at 2:40, on the reassembling of the con-
vention, tie Chairman of the Committee on
Resolutions submitted his report, as follows:
THE PLATFORM.
The Irish-American people, assembled in
convention at Philadelphia, submit to the In
men, that the duty Of government is to pre-,
their liberty, to protect their ,p property s TO
ton of the people an equitable and efficient
voice in legislation, and to promote the gem
y deesre cite
able history, and universal knowledge OF liy-
ing men in testimony hereof.
~ i. That the English Government has exist
ed in ireland, not to preserve the lives Of the
governed, but to destroy them. Entire COM
munities it has wantonly massacred by the
deliberately applied the blazing torch; into
helpless towns it has discharged deadly bombs
and shells.
infancy sought shelter, it has sent its bloody
butchers. Sacred persons OF venerable priests
it has stretched upon the rack or suspended
from the gibbet. Pulling babes have been inn
paled on points of its bayonets because, in
their own words, Its emissaries like that
Government" Its gold has been folded in the
hand of the assassin, and it has rewarded the
infamy Of 9 perjured traitor. Its treacherous
falsehood has lured patriots to unsupported
death as II the nnt sofGn
It enjoys the unique infamy of being the
only Government known to ancient or mod
destruction Of those from whom It claimed all
legiance. By forcibly robbing the Irish PEG,
pie of the fruits OF their own toll, produced
by their own labor, it has buried not hum
dred, not thousand, but more than million,
Il OF the Irish race unshrouded and uncoffined
+ in the grave of hunger. 1t has mercliessly
compelled other millions, in compulsory Pow.
4 yerty,sta seek in alien lands the bread they
were entitled to in their own.
There Is no form Of cruelty known to tho
set which II b naa not
civilization There is no device of hendish in
genuity it has not adopted to reduce tneir
children. and women's bodies have been VIC
tins of its licensed rufians. There is no spe-
cies Of destructive attack, however tnsidious
tific, whether directed against life or matterin
any portion of the globe, for which its bar
harities in Ireland have not Furnished exam
y pie There is no form of retaliation to Wh1ch
despair or madness may resort, for which En-
Y glish cruelty in Ireland Is not exclusively re-
sponsible. tG..; ss.-f !.
q We declare that English government in
ireland has not defended the liberty of the
people, but has annihilated 1T. The statutes
enacted since the invasion amount TO
citizens of all yestiges of personal freedom,
and to reduce them to ,outlawry in orderto
m f their 70 pffoPsry and oGsmp ea
When VII Ds tie Irish Parliament was abolished.
Che LAWS Ireland d haye b tsat
period habeas corpus and right Of trial
by jury have been suspended more than fifty
FL tunes. HOrdeS or soldiers nave Deen lOOSeu
upon a people forbidden to bear arms, and
state Of war with all its attendant horrors.
with occasionally those Of retaliation. has
been maintained. To-day representatives of
the people are TN prison, gliltless ut crime:
Freedom Of speech is abolished. Freedom Of
press is abolished, and the right of peaceable
public meetings is annulied. No mans house
is secure, night or day, from armed maraud-
ers, whomay insult and harass his family.
without Warrant citizen may be- thrown
into prison; without counsel he may be put
on mock trial before prejudiced Judge and
packed jury; on lying averments OF pur,
chased wretches, his liberty may be sacrificed
& or his life taken in the name of law.
g. Instead Of protecting the property OF
been conspicuous for its injury and ruin.